Headstone Medallions Now Available for Veterans

GEORGE C. MARSHALL CHAPTER Held Golf Tournament for Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) August 1st at the Lexington Virginia Golf and Country Club. Guests of Honor were four U.S. Navy Seal team members from Little Creek Naval Base, Virginia. Proceeds were near $10 K

Signs acknowledged generous contributions by National MOAA and Central Virginia Chapter.

Group photo shows: 1: Retired USAF, LtCol Bob Hopkins, president of MOAA George C. Marshall Chapter; 2: Chief Petty Officer Dan Hathorn; 3:Master Chief Petty Officer Jay Sukov; 4: Captain Dave Morrison, USN; 5: Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Courrier; and 6: Retired USAF, Major General Joe Lynch, National MOAA's General Counsel. The SEAL Team played in our tournament as did MG Lynch. /Story & photos provided by COL Ross Schmoll, USAF, Ret, GCMC MOAA Public Affairs Officer

THE POTOMAC CHAPTER in coordination with the Marine Corps League organized and held a Memorial Day Ceremony at Saint Paul’s Mission Church Cemetery, Hague, Virginia on 29 May. Veterans’ graves were decorated with flags. The Ceremony, pictured at right, involved the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Potomac Virginia Chapter and the Marine Corps League. Father John O’Donohue, Parochial Vicar for the mission, officiated. The Chapter also placed Memorial wreaths at the Colonial Beach Virginia War Memorial, Montross War Memorial and King George County Courthouse. / John Huber, LTC, USA, Ret, Secretary Potomac Chapter MOAA

Photo by Joanne Maloy shows ( from left): CPT(USN, Retired) “Doc” Dugan, LCDR (USN, Retired) “Jack” Gregory, Cub Scout Hazen Shryock, Girl Scout Maeve Collins, Altar Server Kyle Smith, Altar Server Bryan Moreland, Father (former sergeant, USMC) John O’Donohue, Kevin Maloy (former Captain, USMC), and LTC (USA, Retired) John Huber.

PERSONAL AFFAIRS VETERAN MEDALLION FOR HEADSTONE The Department of Veterans Affairs is making available a new medallion to be affixed to a “privately purchased” headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. If requested, the medallion will be furnished in lieu of a traditional government headstone or marker for veterans that died on or after 1 Nov 1990. The medallion, with “VETERAN” across the top and Branch of Service at the bottom, is available in three sizes: 5 inches, 3 inches, and 1½ inches. Any cost to install the medallion is borne by the recipient. Instructions on how to apply for a medallion are on web site www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp. Until a new form is available, use VA Form 40-1330: Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker. Fill the form out completely with the exception of blocks 11 (Type of Headstone or Marker Requested) and 27 (Remarks). Leave block 11 blank. In block 27 put the word “Medallion” followed by the size requested. Example: “Medallion 5-inch.” I read about this in a Military Chaplain Association journal and have discussed it with Steve Combs and Susan Ulrich at Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS). I ordered one for my father's headstone and shared the info with others in my family. I believe the info is also valuable for our chapters. The medallion is

The Council Crier – SEP 2011 – page 5 free but the cemetery may charge for mounting. It is available only if the vet is not using a marker provided by the VA. / VCOC Chaplain, Ken Ruppar, LTC, USA, Ret

The Council Crier – SEP 2011 – page 5