Read or Download the current edition of the Northern Neck Navigator: The Official Newsletter of the Northern Neck Chapter of the Military Officers Association by clicking on the icon at the left. Newsletter archive of back issues is available HERE.

Northern Neck MOAA is an active chapter located in the Chesapeake Bay town of Kilmarnock at the eastern end of Virginia's Northern Neck peninsula.  We meet monthly in the Auditorium at Rappahannock Westminister-Canterbury, 132 Lancaster Drive.  MOAA members typically gather on the second Tuesday of January, March, May and September at Rappahannock Westminister-Canterbury at 1130 for a half hour social prior to the business meeting and luncheon. Our full activity schedule can be found on the calendar page.

Congressman Wittman Presents Scholarships

L to R - NNMOAA President Paul Lassanske, Cadet Michaela C. Woodcock, and Congressman Rob Wittman

L to R - NNMOAA President Paul Lassanske, Cadet Anthony J. Lee, and Congressman Rob Wittman

The Northern Neck Chapter, Military Officers Association of America’s has awarded two $1500 college scholarships. The first went to LHS Air Force JROTC Cadet Michaela C. Woodcock and the second to NHS Army JROTC Cadet Anthony J. Lee. Congressman Rob Wittman, the May 14 R-WC Luncheon Guest Speaker for the Northern Neck Chapter of the Military Officer’s Association of American, presented the scholarships on the Chapter’s behalf. Cadet Woodcock will enter Rappahannock Community College this fall and the scholarship will be distributed to her college academic account in two disbursements in September 2012 and January 2013. Cadet Lee will enter the University of Mary Washington this fall and his scholarship will be distributed in the same manner. The Chapter’s Scholarship Program, funded from member donations, supports a deserving JROTC cadet from each high school each year.    Following the presentation of these scholarships, Congressman Wittman addressed the chapter on the topic of “Insights into Current Veterans’ Issues”. Congressman Wittman is an avid stalwart advocate for all service members, to include those who made the ultimate sacrifice, wounded warriors, those who have “passed in review”, active duty personnel, retirees, and those who served for a short period of time. To quote Congressman Wittman, “A nation that neglects its veterans is a nation predisposed for demise”. There was no question about his absolute belief and support for this axiom. He spoke at length about the tremendous support at the Capitol for the current National Defense Authorization Act, under review at this time, which will enhance and upgrade the resources for those who serve this nation. Congressman Wittman is himself, a warrior for our warriors.

Lancaster High School AFJROTC Awards Night
at LHS, Friday, May 4^th, 2012 

Thomas Bayne Denegre, Jr. (February 20, 1920 - April 28, 2012) Captain Thomas Bayne Denegre, Jr., USN (Ret.), 92, of Irvington, VA, died on April 28, 2012. He was born February 20, 1920 in New Orleans, LA, the son of the late Thomas Bayne Denegre and Alma Baldwin Denegre.

After enlisting in the US Naval Reserve at age 17, Denegre transferred to the US Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Tulane University. With signs of war building up, he gained an officers commission in 1941 and immediately volunteered for the submarine service where he served for 19 years. He commanded a submarine, and later a division of six submarines. During WWII he made ten submarine war patrols in enemy-controlled waters. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation for his actions in combat. He held the Submarine Combat Insignia with stars for seven successful war patrols. He also held other combat area ribbons. Toward the end of the war he had the good fortune to marry Louise Turberville Radford of Kansas City, MO, who was his life-long companion and greatest supporter. Post war duties included service in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, USN Postgraduate School, The Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Chief Naval Section MAAG Belgium, where he received the Army Commendation Medal for his performance representing the US Navy, and command of a deep draft U.S. Navy supply ship. Continuing in leadership roles after retiring from a 27-year career in the Navy, Denegre entered the banking industry where he rose to positions of Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer. He created the Trust Department for the Chesapeake Bank of Kilmarnock, VA and in this capacity he served on the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake Bank, and Vice Chairman of the Board for the Chesapeake Financial Shares Holding Company. While with that bank, Denegre also led a group of dedicated citizens to form the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Continuing Care Retirement Community of Irvington, VA. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RWC facility for fifteen years, and then served as Chairman Emeritus. For over 20 years the Denegres lived in their historic house “Pop Castle” on the Rappahannock River near White Stone, VA. Tom loved to sail his sloop “Pimpernel” and many brass victory plaques attesting to his racing acumen adorn the walls of the Rappahannock River Yacht Club. Tom and Louise often cruised with friends on the waterways of the US East Coast as well as European waters In the early 1990’s the Denegres moved into the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community where they, and their beloved Spaniel dogs, enjoyed their remaining years. Tom Denegre left this world enormously grateful for the loving care he and Louise received from the dedicated staff at RWC. Captain Denegre is survived by his children Thomas Bayne Denegre, III, John Baldwin Denegre and Eleanor Radford Denegre. Surviving grandchildren are Brooke, Taylor and Alden Denegre. On Friday May 4th, at 1 p.m., the funeral service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock, VA, with burial following at Historic Christ Church, Irvington, VA. The Reverend David May will officiate. A reception will follow at the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community starting at 2:30 p.m. Memorial gifts can be made to the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Memory Support Facility Fund, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480.