SUNCOAST CHAPTER, INC Military Officers Association of America

This Newsletter is published for the personal use of the members of the Suncoast Chapter, MOAA. It must not be used for any type of solicitation or other purposes not in the best interest of this Chapter and individual members. Opinions presented herein are those of the individual and not necessarily of the Chapter. Commercial solicitation of members using membership rolls and/or rosters is prohibited. Some articles may be taken from MOAA and DoD publications. The Chapter is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Codes. VOLUME 37 ISSUE 6 www.suncoastmoaa.org OCTOBER 2019 244th Birthday of the U.S. Navy on October 13

On June 19, 1779, sailed BONHOMME RICHARD from L' Orient, accompanied by ALLIANCE, PALLAS, VEGEANCE, and CERF. Their mission was to escort troop transports and merchant vessels under the convoy to Bordeaux, France, and cruise against the British in the Bay of Biscay. On the evening of September 23, 1779, they encoun- tered the Baltic Fleet of 41 near the English shore of . Sailing for England, the Fleet was under the newly built , HMS SERAPIS (50 guns) and the small sloop of COUNTESS OF SCARBOROUGH (20 GUNS). Before the British fleet could respond, BON HOMME RICHARD lashed out at SERAPIS igniting a bitter struggle that would last the en- tire night. Early in the battle, the guns of Jones' main battery exploded, temporarily disabling his ship. To offset the SERAPIS' speed, Jones lashed his flagship alongside and continued the fight long after his subordinates regarded the situation as hopeless. Burning, sinking, and scat- tered with the dead and wounded, BONHOMME RICHARD lit up the darkness with a con- stant barrage. Jones struggled to keep his vessel afloat and, in one instance, an overwhelming number of prisoners in hold threatened to rush the deck to save from drowning. Jones defied all odds and continued the fight against Captain Pearson's SERAPIS. In the final hour, BON- HOMME RICHARD'S mast was hit above the top-sail. Along with her Colors, a large section of the mast came crashing to the deck near Jones’s feet. In response to the downfallen colors, SERAPIS called out, "Have you struck your Colors?" Resoundingly, John Paul Jones ex- claimed, "Struck Sir? I have not yet begun to fight!" With newfound will, his crew delivered decisive blows from all sides and aloft. Jones' sent 40 Marines and Sailors into the rigging with grenades and muskets. Decimated, SERAPIS could not avoid defeat and at 2230 she struck her Colors. Victorious, John Paul Jones commandeered SERAPIS and sailed her to Hol- land for repairs. Sadly, on September 24, 1779 at 1100, BONHOMME RICHARD sank never to rise from her watery grave. This epic battle was the American Navy's first-ever defeat of an English ship in English waters! Rallying colonial hope for freedom, Jones' victory established him to many as "The Father of the American Navy. (taken from www.public.navy.mil)

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2019 OFFICERS, BOARD OF MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIRECTORS, AND STAFF SUNCOAST CHAPTER, MOAA President CAPT Ken Skaggs, USN, RET (443)600-9435 [email protected]

Vice President LTC Tony Taranto, USA,RET (727)844-0203 [email protected]

Secretary MAJ Kerry Cushing, USA, RET (813)786-1315 [email protected]

Treasurer MAJ Gerald Miller, USAF, RET (727) 372-8736 [email protected]

Past President LTC John Motley, USA, RET (727)856-1309 [email protected]

Board of Directors

LT Pamela Charboneau, USN, RET (727)845-6178 [email protected]

LCDR Jim Campbell, USN,RET (727)375-6376 [email protected]

MAJ Rick Hillman, USAR,RET (813)293-4012 [email protected]

CAPT John Fraser, USN,RET (727)409-7090 [email protected]

Editor and Legislative Affairs

LCDR Jim Campbell, USN,RET (727)375-6376 [email protected]

The Board of Directors meets 2 pm the 1st Thurs- day of each month. All mem- bers are welcome to attend and make any presentation. The general meeting and dinner is held the 4th Thurs- day September, October and January through April. but the 3rd Thursday in Novem- ber and December. May through August dinner/ meetings are suspended. All members should attend the social hour and dinner served at the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club. (Wives Club meets on Wednesday, usually the 2nd Wednesday.)

3 Pictures from the September Dinner CMS Ducharme, who joined the Marine Corps in 1942, represents the West Central Florida Chapter of Honor Flight. Honor Flight recognizes American War Veterans for their sacrifice and service by flying them free of charge to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the me- morials dedicated in their honor.

Paula Campbell and Chief Master Sgt Ducharme, Lilian Nicholson , Sandra and Bob Frankel, Bob Wig- gins and Ron Nicholson. Lilian and Ron live in a mari- na at Brighton on the English channel and were guests of Bob Wiggins.

WELCOME to William and Catherine Stoehs new members. We acquired six new members from VP Tony Taranto's hard work in mailing out the invites to the wine and cheese event.

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MEAL RESERVATION-General Meeting and Dinner 24 October 2019 To make a reservation by phone or email, contact Kathy Taranto;(727)481- 9837;[email protected] by Friday before the dinner. IF YOU MAKE A RESERVATION AND DO NOT ATTEND YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO PAY. PAYMENT FOR DINNER WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE GULF HARBORS YACHT CLUB WHEN YOU ARRIVE. You can pay by cash or check payable to Suncoast Chapter, MOAA. Dinner is $29.00 per person, tax and gratuity included.

Dinner choices Steamed Crab Legs with baked potato and vegetable. Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas with beans and rice. New York Strip with grilled onions and baked potato and vegetable. Rolls, Salad and Dessert (Chocolate Sundae Mousse)

Guest Speaker: Mary Peter of K9 Partners for Patriots

We will meet at:Gulf Harbors Yacht Club 3926 Marine Pkwy, New Port Richey, Fl. 34652 Our Next Dinner Meeting will be October 24, 2019 (1800 Social Hour, 1900 Dinner)

MILITARY OFFICER’S WIVES CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING Luncheon Wednesday November 13 Gulf Harbor Yacht Club

Social Time: 11:30 A.M. Luncheon 12:00 Noon

Husbands and guests invited

Reservations are required (NLT 10 November): to make or cancel please call: Joan Miller...727-372-8736 or Jan Shortt...727-863-4724 [email protected]

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OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2019

REMINDER DATES

08 Oct - Yom Kippur 10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday 13 Oct - Navy Birthday 11 Nov - Veteran Day 24 Oct - MOAA Dinner Meeting 13 Nov - Wives Club Meeting 31 Oct - Halloween 21 Nov - MOAA Dinner Meeting 28 Nov - Thanksgiving

For the new Suncoast LOGO and your name the cost is $30. For just the Suncoast LOGO the cost is $20 in either case you have to provide your own shirt. Additional Information at the Dinner or Contact Rick Hillman

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August 31to September 30 Financial Report

7 Year to Date Financial Report