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President’s Corner By John Graham  There
are three items I would like to bring to your attention in this issue
of
the Granite Slate.
First, I have recently received word that our Chapter has once again been recognized as a “5 Star Level of Excellence” Chapter for the year 2004. This designation by MOAA National headquarters is based on all of the work that the Chapter accomplished during the year. It is a testament to all of our members who worked on such varied activities as the newsletters, our social programs, our support for the ROTC programs in the state, our active participation in advancing the MOAA legislative agenda, as well as all the other activities that our members participate in. No one person can take credit for all that goes into achieving this level of accomplishment, so I thank all of you for your help and support. I have asked that VADM. Ryan present our ‘Battle Streamer’ for this award at our annual meeting in November. Second, our annual clambake was held on August 6, and all those who attended know what a great day we had. The weather was superb, the food was excellent the camaraderie was, as usual, the best part of the day. An article on the clambake will be appearing in the November issue of Military Officer. I am also pleased that with the recent BRAC vote it appears that we will not be searching for a new place to hold this annual event. The clambake was also an opportunity for all of us to contribute to our Chapters’ Scholarship Fund. As a result we were able to raise over $4,600 for this fund. We are still shy of our goal of raising $10,000 for the year, and I would ask that if you can make a donation that you do so in the near future. Third, we are still in the midst of our recruiting drive. My personal goal was to recruit 100 new members for the Chapter this year, and I need your help in achieving this goal. MOAA has announced a new recruiting incentive called ‘Give Me Ten” which gives us an added financial incentive to recruit new MOAA members. Details of this program are contained in this issue of the Granite Slate. My heartfelt thanks to all of the people who work so hard to make our Chapter such a success. If you have any suggestions on ways in which we can improve our Chapter please do not hesitate to contact me. John A. Graham
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Submitted by Michael McLean Hobo Railroad Annual Clambake “Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day!" We could not have asked for a more perfect day on which to hold the Chapter's Annual Clambake! Once again it was held at Jamaica Island on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY), on August 6, 2005. We had a near record crowd (the record was 432 in 2001) of 421 members, family and guests who thoroughly enjoyed the great weather and our traditional feast of clam chowder, lobster, mussels, steak, wurst, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, onions and watermelon. Chapter member Mary Beth Moran was back by popular demand selling home baked (by her) cookies in support of the Scholarship Loan Fund. Once again they were a hit of the event and sold out! We were joined by Representative Jeb Bradley who made the rounds talking with many of his constituents. Col. Jim Pauls, USAF (Ret.), from the Council and Chapter Affairs Department of MOAA national, and his wife Marvella; LCDR Paul Sova, USCG (Ret.), a national director of MOAA, and his wife Terry; as well as our own chapter member, Col. Bancroft McKittrick, USMC (Ret.) who is new national director of MOAA, and his wife Kathleen also joined us. Again this year we extended an invitation
to our
neighbors from Vermont in the Green Mountain Chapter to join us. Five
members
and guests trekked across New Hampshire to attend the Clambake.
Last
year the Ft. Devens Chapter was unable to attend, but this year they
were
back in force. Twenty-five MOAA cousins from "south of the
border"
joined the best chapter of MOAA at our Clambake. We had twenty-three
new (Continued on page 3)
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