Boasting its 22nd annual gala, Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation (NMCGRF), a local McLean nonprofit, hosted its annual Gala this past Saturday. General Jack M. Keane, USA (Ret) spoke at the Gala to military veterans, McLean community members and sponsors. The Gala’s silent auction raised just over $10,000. All together, the Gala raised $85,536 for NMCGRF.
NMCGRF was established in 1961 by the Naval Officers’ Wives’ Club of Washington, D.C. to provide housing for military officers’ widows who were not left sufficient funds to live in dignity when their husbands passed away. Today, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the Vinson hall Retirement Community raising funds for three purposes: Resident Assistance Fund, Research and Technology, and Wounded Warrior Transitional Housing.
Members of the NMCGRF Board of Trustees and Vinson Hall Retirement Community residents welcomed corporate supporters for a night of fun, food, and friendship all in support of NMCGRF. Gala Chairman Vice Admiral Mark Skinner, USN (Ret) of Northrop Grumman and NMCGRF Executive Director Admiral Kathy Martin, USN (Ret) brought together corporate sponsors, supporters and military veterans for a record-breaking attendance in support of local veterans and wounded warriors. “We are so grateful for all of the support our community members and corporate partners have shown us this year,” says Skinner. “We’d like to thank all of those who joined us to make this 22nd Gala a phenomenal evening.”
Gala corporate sponsors included BB&T, Design Data, McGuireWoods LLP, Navy Mutual Aid, SFCS Architecture, USAA and Whiting-Turner Construction. The Gala’s silent auction boasted donated items and excursions from 40 local businesses. Some of the silent auction’s most popular items included a hand-crafted pearl and turquoise necklace from Mangan Jewelers of McLean, a group wine tasting and vineyard tour at Barrell Oak Winery in Delaplane, and cooking classes at Culinaria Cooking School in Vienna.
During the gala’s seated dinner, guests enjoyed listening to the Marine Corps Brass Quintet play the armed forces medley as guests who served in the military stood and were recognized for their service.
This year’s Gala honored former Chief of Staff of the US Army and decorated Vietnam War veteran General Jack Keane. Keane is currently the president of GSI Consulting and serves as a director of General Dynamics and the chairman of the Institute for the Study of War. Speaking to a ballroom full of his war comrades, Keane gave a commentary on the state of our national security while thanking past veterans for their dedicated service.
