1981 In the Spring of 1982, five members of the Beaufort TROA Chapter were from Hilton Head. However, there were many more on Hilton Head Island who were members of the National, but not members of any Chapter. The Beaufort Chapter decided to sponsor the development of a new Hilton Head Area Chapter. Col. Paul Siegmund, USMC-Ret., the former Commander of the Beaufort Marine Corp Air Station, was appointed to chair a committee to help develop a Hilton Head Island Chapter. About 25 members participated in organizational meetings during the Spring and Fall of 1982. A provisional board of Officers and Directors were self-appointed to initiate the Chapter. They were; A President Capt. Bill Williams, USN-Ret., 1st V. P. Capt. Tom Ball, USN-Ret., and 2nd V. P. Col. Ed Krise, USA-Ret. Among the Directors were LTC Ben Racusin, USA-Ret. and LTC Jim Kennedy, USN-Ret.

1983 The first meeting of the new Hilton Head Area Chapter was held on February 16, 1983 with 36 charter members present. Neither Capt. Williams nor Capt. Ball could be there, so Col. Krise served as acting interim President. General Don Bennett, USA-Ret. a charter member and former Superintendent of West Point, was the banquet speaker. A panel of Officers and Directors with Col. Duane Cason, USA-Ret. as President was elected. The 34 charter members were - in the order in which they signed:

1987 Col. Robert W. Bross, USMC was elected Chapter President. The Chapter held it's first Veterans Day Observance. The Chapter began observing Veterans' Day in 1987. Every year since, these observances have been held in various churches and the synagogue.

1989 Was a major year for the chapter under Col. Ed Krise, USA-Ret.. Congress had passed and the President had signed a catastrophic provision for +Medicate that included a drug benefit. However, premiums, especially for above average income persons would amount to hundreds of dollars more that the most expensive supplement. Col. Jeremiah J. Barkie, USA-Ret., Secretary of the Chapter (and later Chapter President in 1997) was president of the local AARP. He led the fight against the law testifying before a Republican Congress in Washington. Col. Krise and Col. Barkie also worked with the South Carolina State Council of TROA to help eliminate this law. The law was repealed before it had time to take effect. Because of his leadership on this issue among other things, Col. Barkie was elected as the Mayor of the Town of Hilton Head Island in 1989.

1991 The highlights of the year under LTC Jim Kennedy as President was obtaining as a speaker Major General Barry McCaffrey, C.G. of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He had just recently returned from Operation Desert Storm. The banquet was held at the Country Club of Hilton Head and was attended by almost 200 people. Two 48" TV screens with a slide projector were used by the General to show the 24th Infantry Division if action during Desert Storm. Major General McCaffrey was later promoted to Lt. General then to full General at which time, he left the military to become the U.S. Drug Czar.

1992 LTC Joseph Eagers, USA-Ret., was President. Speakers at various functions - Dr. Jack McConnell (developed Tylenol and the founder of VIM), and General Art Brown, former deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. A Memorial Day grave decoration tradition was started. Flags are placed on each veteran's grave in the Six Oaks Cemetery in Sea Pines. LTC Joe Eagers, USA-Ret., President in 1992, was instrumental in carrying out this tradition. Other non-maintained cemeteries on Island also received flags placed on veterans' graves by Chapter members.

1993 Capt. Carl Alberts, USN-Ret. was President. Speakers at a dinner, Mr. Gerald Devlin, former paratrooper and author of "Back to Corregidor." The Chapter gave a flag flown over the U. S. Capitol to the new Hilton Head Island City Hall. Col. Jeremiah Barkie, USA-Ret. Chapter President, presented a flag poll and flag given by the Chapter to the Crossings Park Sports Complex and dedicated on October 13, 1997.

1998 Major Raymond B. Rippman, USAF, served as chapter president; Colonel James C. Moore, USAF (Ret.), first vice president (programs); Lt. Colonel Robert Green, USA (Ret.), second vice president (membership); Colonel Ronnie Altman, USA (Ret.), secretary; and Lieutenant Lawrence O. Shingleton, USNR, treasurer.

This was Major Rippman's second tour as president; he had served from 1990 to 1991. His principal focus was membership. LTC Green organized an effective program, and for the first time in many years, the Chapter had a net gain in membership during 1998. During the year, Major Rippman became increasingly concerned about the financial health of the organization. He sought approval to increase annual dues and he prepared the succeeding administration for the initiative of selling advertising in the annual directory.

In late 1997, during the previous administration under Colonel Barkie, the Board approved for the first time a projected program of activities for the coming year, subject to confirmation by the new Board in 1998. This permitted the officers to engage in advance planning to fulfill the planned program. Many of the members wanted to restore the TROA golf outings and Commander Formwalt, the chapter chaplain, reinitiated this event during 1998. The projected program formally adopted the idea of open support for other military or patriotic organizations' events, such as, the Navy League sponsorship of the annual Memorial Day observance at Shelter Cove.

Certain traditions were reflected in the annual program: Memorial Day observance; joint social event during the summer with TROA and TROAL; a picnic in August; Veterans Day observance. Further a luncheon/dinner meeting for the election of officers and directors in November; Army-Navy Game social; and the January joint installation of TROA and TROAL officers and directors.

The Chapter commenced a new Spring tradition of sponsoring a Salute to the Armed Forces luncheon. The original purpose of this event was to serve as a platform for the local military installation commander to discuss with TROA the status of community support for the installation personnel. The first Salute was held at Sigler's Rotisserie in Bluffton in March 1998.

In June, the Chapter hosted the TROA national expert on health care, Colonel Rohrbough, USAF-Ret., who spoke at a well-attended luncheon at Sun City, the first Chapter event held there. The Sun City Veterans Association with the support of the Chapter sponsored the event. The Chapter made considerable effort to co-host this event with the Beaufort Chapter and several Lowcountry Chapter members did attend.

This event marked the first time in many years that the Chapter hosted an official from the TROA national staff (During the year, the program chair asked the national president, Lt. General Michael Nelson, USAF (Ret.), to visit the Chapter during the following year.)

The Chapter took the initiative to contact the local American Legion Post to ascertain how the Chapter might support the Legion's annual Flag Day ceremony. The Chapter helped to collect flags for destruction and Chapter officers participated in the Legion ceremony at the local Elks Lodge.

the Chapter to participate in the annual, DAR-sponsored celebration of the birthday of the US Constitution in September. We accepted the invitation for 1998 and the Chapter encouraged its members to support this patriotic event at the Town Hall for the City of Hilton Head Island.

For the Veterans Day observance in November, the Chapter was hosted by the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints at their Meeting-House on Hilton Head Island. It was the first time in the twelve-year tradition of the observance that it was held in the Mormon MeetingHouse. The well-attended observance was followed by a no-host luncheon at the Country Club of Hilton Head.

The autumn quarterly meeting includes the election of officers. The Chapter invited the commanding officer, Naval Hospital, Beaufort, to speak during the dinner. Dr. (Captain) Clinton E. Adams brought key members of his staff to augment his presentation. This event was held at the Moss Creek Plantation ClubHouse.

1999 The new administration was installed during a dinner meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Shipyard Plantation on January 21, 1999. Colonel James C. Moore and LTC Robert Green "fleeted up" from 1st and 2nd vice president to president and 1st vice president, respectively. Major Rogers, 2nd vice president; Colonel Alton, secretary (for his third tour); and Lt. Shingleton, treasurer (for his fifth tour). The installation was jointly accomplished: The new officers of the Chapter and the TROA Ladies recited their oaths of office to the departing Chapter president, Major Rippman.

On March 18th at the Port Royal ClubHouse, the Chapter hosted Lt. General Michael Nelson, TROA National President, and his wife, Barbara. This was the first time the National President had visited the Chapter in many years. The Hilton Head Chapter invited the Lowcountry Chapter from Beaufort to co-sponsor the evening, a first for the two chapters. Lowcountry Chapter officers and members joined us for the dinner.

April 1st at Pinckney Hall, Sun City: the Sun City Veterans Association, the TROA Lowcountry Chapter, and our Chapter, co-sponsored our second annual Salute to the Armed Forces. Congressman Floyd Spence was our honored and principal speaker; Colonel Lawrence Staak, MCAS commanding officer, spoke about community support for the MCAS personnel. This event was the first cooperative effort with the Sun City Veterans Association.

The Chapter established the staff position of Chapter Historian for the first time. Captain Figgatt volunteered to help the Chapter with this task. One of his first activities was to highlight the Korean War Commemoration from 2000 to 2003. As a result of his efforts, the Chapter arranged for the Town of Hilton Head Island to be designated as a Korean War Commemoration Community in 2000.

The July-August newsletter included a survey to consider renaming the Chapter to reflect the broader base of its membership on the mainland. Thirty-nine responses resulted in a Board decision to retain the "Hilton Head Area" name and to include a subtext, "Bluffton - Hilton Head Island - Sun City," to emphasize the area supported by the Chapter.

The president received a letter from Sally Timberlake, the spouse of a deceased member, concerning the lack of support by the State of South Carolina for the World War II memorial on The Mall in Washington. This letter was passed to our Legislative Liaison, Brigadier General McGarry, who began the process of Chapter advocacy on this issue.

Under the leadership of Captain Shanahan, the Chapter enhanced its support for three local Junior ROTC cadet corps by providing three awards, rather than one, for cadets in each corps. At Hilton Head High School, Chapter officers met with Commander Pfeiffer to arrange for Chapter members to assist the instructors, and to develop a cadet-led program in the High School to observe Veterans' Day. A tradition was started, in 1999, of reading a Medal of Honor Citation during the service. This particular part of the event has been very well received.

Two observances of Veterans' Day occurred on November 11th. The traditional Observance at St. Andrew-by-the-Sea Methodist Church commenced at 11 a.m. The principal speaker was Reverend Father Michael McCafferty, pastor, St. Francis-by-the-Sea Roman Catholic Church. At 1:15 p.m., Chapter officers joined NJROTC cadets for the first Observance conducted by the cadets at the High School. In conjunction with this event, the Chapter sponsored a writing contest among the cadets, and awarded two prizes. The essays were read during the cadet ceremony.

On November 18th, the annual Chapter Meeting convened at the Moss Creek ClubHouse. The election: Lt. Colonel Robert Green succeeded Col. Moore as president; Captain Shanahan, First Vice President, replaced Col. Green; Captain Dennis Foley, Second Vice President, filled Capt. Shanahan's chair; Lt. Col. Turpie's election allowed Lt. Shingleton to retire; Captain John Priestman replaced Col. Ron Alton.

2000 LTC Robert Green was Chapter President. Each state was asked to contribute $1 for each WWII veteran from the state towards the construction of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Chapter spearheaded the effort to have South Carolina support the program by contacting key state legislators, the governor, the two U.S. senators, the Congressman from this area, and by encouraging other SC TROA Chapters to become involved. The campaign was successful and the state contributed $200,000 to the project. A great deal of credit goes to Lt. Gen. Mike McGinty, USAF, Ret., Chapter Legislative Liaison, for his leadership in this endeavor.

The Chapter met the criteria established by the Department of Defense to have Hilton Head Island designated as a Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Community. A Korean War Commemorative flag and certificate were presented to the town mayor and council in a ceremony at the Town Hall. The flag now flies at the county library on Hilton Head Is-land.

In addition to the annual awards presented to outstanding cadets in Junior ROTC programs in area high schools, the Chapter for the first time provided funds to two cadets at Hilton Head High School to assist with expenses associated with attending summer camp at Ft. Jackson, SC. Cdr. Bob Warden, USCG, Ret., Chapter Junior ROTC Liaison, deserves recognition for his efforts in initiating what has become an on going annual program.

Chapter officers met with our Congressman, Floyd Spence, then chairman of the Armed Services Committee, on several occasions and also corresponded with him on active duty and retiree health care issues. Congressman Spence agreed to co-sponsor several key health care bills and was a major spearhead in the approval of the TRICARE for Life legislation and in ensuring that the program was guaranteed funding as entitlement.

The Chapter was recognized as an outstanding [runner-up] Chapter in 2000 by National TROA. A Certificate of Recognition was presented in 2001 to LTC Robert E. Green Jr., USA Ret., Chapter President in 2000 and to Captain Thomas Shanahan, USN, Ret., Chapter President in 2001 at a Chapter function by Lt. Gen. Michael Nelson, USAF, Ret., President of National TROA.

2001 Captain Thomas E. Shanahan, USN was Chapter President. The Chapter was selected as TROA's Outstanding Chapter in category 2 (200-499 members) for it's achievement during the year 2001. This was the most significant award that the chapter had received in its history.

Under the leadership of COL. Jim Fritz the chapter conducted a rigorous membership drive during the year that resulted in an increase in chapter membership of 143 members. That achievement represents a percentage increase of an astonishing 70.44 percent. The chapter commenced the year 2001 with 203 members and finished the year with 346. Recruitment increases were achieved in the categories established by TROA, described as follows:

Under the leadership of BG Bob McGarry the chapter proudly published 10 newsletters for the year, far surpassing any previous years total. The format was completely revised, and the size and content were increased. Also an aditional10, "Mini or Special Events Newsletters", were published and distributed to our members reminding them of program events which were upcoming, and listing details concerning attendance at those events.

With the leadership of Captain Dennis Foley, we sponsored 13 programs for the year. Those programs included organized chapter meetings, sporting events and social affairs. Additionally the chapter held 12 meetings of the officers, board of directors, and committee chairman. All members were invited to attend these meetings, as well as the luncheons that preceded them. We distributed a survey form to all members in November listing prospective programs and functions for their selection, which they would like to attend in the next year. We were gratified to receive well over a 50% response to this survey, and based on the results determined the program schedule for 2002. The results of this survey were published in the December issue of our newsletter. At a subsequent meeting with our program chairman, the president of the chapter, and selected members of the board of directors the final program schedule for 2002 was determined based on the results of the survey. The program schedule was approved later by the officers and the full board of directors, and was distributed to the members in January 2002.

Two members were appointed to serve as legislative liaison to receive and disseminate TROA National legislative information. Our legislative liaisons for the year were, LTG Michael McGinty, USAF (ret.), and BG Mike O'Connell, USA (ret.). These members were assigned to this very important area because of their experience and interest in Legislative affairs. They used their experience to the best advantage of the chapter by researching the issues important to TROA and disseminating that information to our members. They also worked closely with the South Carolina Council on legislative affairs both at the state and national level.

Our legislative affairs program was very proactive in support of TROA National's published legislative agenda. Efforts included, but were not limited to, meetings with our Congressional Representative, writing letters to Senate and Congressional Representatives in support of TROA objectives such as TRICARE for LIFE, and CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF MILITARY RETIRED PAY AND DISABILITY PAY. Other efforts included writing articles concerning TROA National's legislative agenda in our monthly newsletters, placing similar articles in the chapter website, and encouraging members, at chapter meetings and at Board of Directors monthly meetings to write to their representatives to support TROA's legislative agenda. We also participated actively with the South Carolina Council of Chapters to construct and support their legislative agenda.

We established an e-mail central point of contact to transfer information among TROA National, state of South Carolina Council of Chapters, and chapter members. We attempt to obtain an e-mail address for every member, and publish that address in our membership directory. Our Secretary Cdr. Tom Teal maintains an up to date e-mail list of members, which is used extensively to contact members concerning upcoming events, legislative affairs issues, and other items of immediate interest. By use of our e-mail addresses we are able to easily alert about 65% of the membership to items of particular interest on our website or to current activities. During the year, under the leadership of Cdr. Teal, we also established an elaborate/expanded web site which we use to list items of importance to members. Our web site is much larger and more inclusive than the few page Chapter website available for chapters on the TROA National website. This has proven to be an excellent means to transmit information of a time sensitive nature. The website is also used to publish copies of our directory, newsletter and minutes of our board of directors meetings. TROA legislative updates, TROA name change information, list of new members, and other items of interest also appear on the website.

With the able assistance of Cdr. Bob Warden we vigorously supported JROTC programs in three local high schools, including the presentation of appropriate medals, ribbons, and certificates to deserving students. We also presented those medal winners with a $100.00 series I savings bond. Additionally in 2001 we established a scholarship award which specifies, among other criteria, that the student who receives the award will aggressively pursue a military career. We also contributed money to send 10 JROTC students to military summer camps. Our members have had the opportunity to see these cadets in action at the High School where they demonstrate their skills in formation and close order drills. We have also attended awards presentations at the School. It is safe to say that we have come away impressed with what these young people are learning in the JROTC program. The values instilled in them at this stage of their lives, with all the help that we can provide to them, will be beneficial to them throughout their careers, in or out of the service. It is also important to note that the JROTC students at Hilton Head High participate in our Veterans Day observances, both at the church, and at a separate observance which we sponsor at the High School.

We participated in or sponsored numerous projects and programs that have enhanced TROA's image in the local and military community. The chapter sponsored its fourth annual "SALUTE TO THE ARMED FORCES" at the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) which was to feature an address by the Depot Commanding General, Brigadier General Stephen Chaney. The fact that the general was called out of town at the last minute did not deter from the importance of the event since his deputy spoke eloquently in the General's behalf. Two of the top NJROTC cadets from Hilton Head High School were guests of the chapter and were treated to a base tour. A chapter member escorted them to a Basic Training Graduation Ceremony at the MCRD.

The chapter conducted its fourteenth annual Veterans Day Service, with the able assistance of CPT Bill Rathman, which was open to the public, at a local church. The Hilton Head High school NJROTC color guard presented the colors at this event which was well received and well attended. The chapter made donations to the church, and the coral group that participated in the service. A representative from the Mayors office presented a proclamation from the Town of Hilton Head Island for Veterans Day that was read at the ceremony. The proclamation was prepared specifically for this event, and was signed by the mayor.

Additionally the chapter, which had met the Department of Defense criteria to have the town of Hilton Head Island designated as "A Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Community," participated in several events in support of the memory of the Korean war and it's heroes. On the 16th of February, on a local television program specifically dedicated to the Korean War, two of our members, Bob Warden representing the Army, and Hal Ingram representing the Air Force told of their experiences in the war and the Korean war in general. Also, at our Veterans Day Ceremony, a Korean War Medal of Honor winner, Sgt. Einer Ingman USA, was eulogized by one of our members who served with him in the 17th Infantry Regiment.

Our members also spoke to 3 Hilton Head High School Social Studies Honor Group classes about the Korean War. Our members also spoke to the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the Rotary Club about the Korean War Commemoration. We also purchased and placed a Korean War Commemorative flag at the local library to help remember all those who have lost their lives in battle while fighting to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. We have replaced that flag once and will replace it as necessary in the future.

In addition to the above, the chapter participated in a project in Beaufort County called Operation Freedom. Operation Freedom was a community service project that put together and shipped "Care Packages" to the 500 Navy and Marine Corps personnel who were serving on the Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of our war against terrorism. Hilton Head Area Chapter members donated over $2,200.00 to purchase phone cards which were sent to those personnel so that they could call their friends and family back home while deployed. Included with each card was a message from the chapter that said, "The Hilton Head Area Chapter of The Retired Officers Association (TROA) is honored to provide you with this phone card in recognition of your efforts to combat terrorism, and preserve our freedoms. God Bless you and this great nation of ours." The donations from our chapter were the most contributed by any organization or business in the Beaufort, SC area.

The Hilton Head Area Chapter is a proud and established member of the South Carolina Council of Chapters. We participated in all council meetings and activities held during the year, and were consistently represented by more members than any other chapter in the state at these meetings.

We established a $500.00 scholarship fund during the year in which we designated that the scholarship go to a deserving Hilton Head High School NJROTC student who met the criteria for the award. We specified the criteria that the student would be required to meet. Among those criteria was a requirement that the student have a sincere interest in aggressively pursuing a career in the military service after graduation from college. Additionally the chapter donated $500.00 to the TROA National scholarship fund. The check was presented to TROA's president, LGEN Michael Nelson, when he spoke to our members at a dinner in his honor at the Port Royal Clubhouse at Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head Island on 19 September 2001.

The chapter established a viable Personal Affairs program with 2 members assigned to those duties during the year. Assisting those committee members is a community outreach program which enlists the assistance of members from each community throughout Hilton Head Island area to provide assistance to members and their survivors in regard to all issues of interest to them, including their entitlements. In case of serious illness or death our Personal Affairs Committee members, with assistance from other members, provide assistance and offer sympathy as the case may merit. We also insure that as many members as possible attend memorial services to our deceased members. We receive assistance from our ladies group (TROAL) in all of these matters. We work closely with this group (TROAL) to insure that the right person is selected to provide the services required.

During the transition to Tricare for Life our committee members personally contacted all of the widows in the organization to offer assistance in getting new ID cards if necessary, and to provide them with the information required to transition to this new program. The chapter also held several meetings at which we had numerous speakers in the field of health care. These speakers from the local Hospital and Medical Center, the Veterans Administration, and the Naval Hospital at Beaufort, SC provided all the information necessary for our members to make wise decisions concerning health care. Our officers and board members made their services available upon request to explain the details of the health plan. The chapter also offers transportation to all of our functions to those who feel a need for it. This offer is printed on all of our invitations to our member events.

Our TOPS liaison worked with the Beaufort Resource Management Center, Beaufort, SC to insure that members were aware of the services available, and encouraged them to take advantage of these services.. Topics included at the seminar held this year included your competition for finding a job, perceptions civilian employers have of military personnel, a plan for your job search, and other topics of interest to members.

With all that we accomplished during the year, and the increased funds spent on scholarships and donations, it should be noted that our financial health grew substantially in 2001. Due to careful management of our finances, and establishing a viable budget at the beginning of the year, cash on hand at the end of the year exceeded double of that of the previous year.

The Hilton Head Area Chapter of The Retired Officers Association was selected as THE OUTSTANDING CHAPTER OF THE YEAR for the year 2001. Being selected in the category of chapters with between 200 to 499 members is particularly significant since that is the category that contains the majority of the chapters in TROA. This is the most significant award the Chapter has received in its history.

In addition, the Hilton Head Area Chapter was selected as the big winner in the 2001 TROA Recruiting Award listings. We were selected as the winner in 2 out of 3 categories (200 to 499 members) in TROA's recruiting contest. While it took a combined effort by everyone to make the chapter worthy of joining - good programs, recognition of new members, keeping members aware of our activities through use of an expanded newsletter, and an outstanding web site are a few that come readily to mind - a key to our success was a solid recruiting organization led by a remarkable membership chairman, Jim Fritz.

This award is presented annually to the chapters which have recruited the highest percentage on new members in three categories. We won the award in 2 out of the 3 categories for which we were eligible (chapters with 200 to 499 members). With this award TROA National will contribute $1,000 to our Chapter's Scholarship Fund. This, combined with the $500 which we won for being named TROA's Outstanding Chapter puts our relatively new scholarship fund in a very sound financial position. Additionally, the Chapter Board of Directors voted to contribute $500 to the TROA National Scholarship Fund.

We continued our participation in The Greatest Generation Project by providing speakers with World War ll experience to talk with student at Hilton Head High School. The presentations made by our members continue to be well received by students and teachers. Even our members come away with a renewed feeling of having contributed to the education of all those students with whom they have been in contact.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA ) scholastic and leadership awards were given to high school students enrolled in the Junior ROTC programs at Hilton Head, Jasper and Estill high schools and who were selected for leadership and scholastic achievement by the senior ROTC instructors were presented Hilton Head Area MOAA chapter awards at ceremonies. The Hilton Head MOAA chapter $500.00 scholarship awards were presented to Eric Mattoon of Hilton Head High School; Cadet Frankeisha Bennett from Estill High School; and Cadet Danielle Newton from Jasper High School. These awards are given on a competitive basis with the intent to reward academic achievement and demonstrated leadership growth to those students actively involved in the Junior ROTC programs at their high schools.

This is the first year of MOAA's new "Levels of Excellence" Award program which was implemented to more fully recognize the great work many chapters are doing on behalf of the Association and its members. Our Hilton Head Area Chapter members should feel particularly proud because we are one of only 25 nationwide to receive this special designation for 2002 it puts us in the top 6% of all chapters!

Unfortunately, we had to cancel two program events that in past years have been very popular and well attended. For years, three events have been a must for our annual programs: two golf outings and a picnic. This year we had to cancel one of the golf outings and the picnic. We were puzzled by this and do not know why they were not as popular.

Brigadier General Robert McGarry again served as President in 2004. With the start of our war in Iraq, our members were very interested in how the campaign was waged. In January, we had an OUTSTANDING presentation by LtCol Gregg W. Brinegar USMC, a F16 pilot, who showed combat pictures and told us about the awesome power of our "smart" weapons. We also enjoyed the extraordinary semi-annual show at Beaufort Naval Air Station by the Blue Angles, the Navy's precision aviation team. Golf was again cancelled (and dropped) this year but all others programs were successful.

We joined with the Town of Hilton Head, the Navy League and the American Legion in sponsoring the first Veterans Day Observation at the Park at Shelter Cove. The Town managed the event in 2003, but passed the responsibility for planning and arrangements to the Veteran's Coalition of Hilton Head (MOAA, The Navy League and The American Legion) starting this year (2004). The Navy League managed this event in 2004, the American will handle 2005 and MOAA will be in charge in 2006. The town of Hilton Head will build a Veteran's Park at this site; it will be completed in time for the 2005 Veterans Day Ceremony. MOAA and the other veteran's groups in the Coalition have agreed to design and erect a suitable monument in this new park. CAPT Tom Shanahan, of our chapter, will chair the Monument Committee.

The highlight of the year was the installation of the Veterans Memorial in Shelter Cove Park just prior to Veterans' Day. The project was the brainchild and love of Past President Captain Tom Shannahan. Tom shepherded the project from concept, to acceptance by the town, design, fund raising and installation. Tom was assisted in the fund raising by Captain Bill Baker. About $100,000 was raised from veteran's organizations, the Community Foundation of the Low Country and the public in a few short months.

Vice President and Programs Chair Captain George Stubbs and his committee provided diverse activities for the members. New officers and directors were installed at the first luncheon of the year. Next, Town Manager Steve Reilly brought us up to date on town projects of interest to the members. National President VADM Norb Ryan told us how MOAA and other military organizations were having success in improving benefits for the active, reserve and retired military members. The commander of a Navy attack squadron enlightened us on the contribution of his squadron and other US military organizations in providing tsunami relief in Indonesia. The annual picnic at Spring Lake was enjoyed by all who attended. A trip to Charleston and the Confederate submarine, Hunley, was an educational experience. The program year closed out with the annual meeting. Our own VADM John Shkor spoke on terrorism and counter-terrorism.

Vice President and Membership Chair Lieutenant Colonel George Moss and his committee were active all year keeping our membership stable. George closed out the year recruiting eleven new members in response to the national president's challenge to “Get me 10.”

Our scholarship committee under the leadership of Colonel Ed Tankins was particularly active providing scholarships, medals and support to the activities of four high school JROTCs in the area (Hilton Head Island HS, Bluffton HS, Estill HS and Ridgeland HS.)

Chapter activities this year included luncheon business meetings, field trips, the annual summer picnic, the joint cocktail party with MOAAL, joint activities with the Navy League (a dinner and a sunset dinner harbor cruise), and Memorial and Veterans Day observances. We worked with local cemeteries to honor veterans by placing national flags on their graves for Veterans Day (this assistance will include Memorial Day and the 4th of July in future years).

The Chapter continued to support four area High School JROTC programs. This support included awarding MOAA medals and a $100 savings bond to the outstanding junior cadet in each HS, and a $500 scholarship to the outstanding cadet from each HS entering college.

This year the Chapter instituted electronic mailing of notices and newsletters to more efficiently serve members and as a more cost effective system. The Directory, which contains membership, officer lists, By-Laws and Chapter history, will continue to be mailed hard copy.

Finally, in the regular rotating succession plan, the Chapter assumed Presidency of the Hilton Head Island Military Veterans Coalition for 2006. The mission of the Coalition includes the conduct of military and veterans events at the Veterans Memorial in Shelter Cove Community Park and the continuing enhancement and oversight of the Veterans Memorial. This year the Coalition By-Laws were drafted and approved. The President was in charge of the planning and conduct of the annual Veterans Day observance, and served as master of ceremonies.