Florida Chapter NCVA

We are have started having luncheons every 2 or 3 months, since it is much less work and hassle than having annual reunions. If you are reading this and have not been invited to a luncheon, please contact John Koval at johnkoval46@gmail.com, so you don’t miss another opportunity for camaraderie and tall tales!

This photo was taken at the February event at the Cafe Murano in Altamonte Springs. Left to right in photo:

Front row: Jane Bartlett, Ann Colotti, Peg Heacock

Middle row: Les Smallwood, Penny Tardona, Vince Colotti, John Koval

Back row: Don Ratliff, Hub Bartlett, Sam Mortellaro, Lou Tardona, Dan Heacock, Dan George

We are having a lunch at the Cafe Murano in Altamonte Springs, Florida on the 18^th of February at 12 o’clock.

Please RSVP to John Koval at johnkoval46@gmail.com.

Spouses are invited, too. 

Long time FLNCVA member Peter John Terzian Jr. passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025. May he always be remembered and may he rest in eternal peace.

His obituary can be accessed here.

Notification of dues is required annually in June. FLNCVA dues are $5.00 a year or $12.00 for three years. We are a little late getting that notice out due to some medical procedures but you should receive and letter and/or email very soon letting you know the status of your dues.

No annual get together was scheduled this year. We will be having a get together for lunch late August in the Orlando area. Our membership will be notified  but it will be just for the day and not a weekend gathering.

Our membership has slowly been evaporating due to members passing away and very few new shipmates coming on board. I am the only remaining officer and anyone willing to step up and help would be appreciated. Hopefully, we can have a weekend put together for 2026 if we have enough members committed to participating. 

Your dues help to pay for website maintenance along with membership mailings. The cost of catering and room rental has gone up considerably in the last few years and we just need more participation to make our reunions work.

Any questions or comments can be directed to me at Johnkoval46@gmail.com.

Unfortunately we have to cancel our 2025 reunion due to lack of participation. Hopefully we can reschedule at a better time. Thank you all who responded.

Contact John Koval at the email address below with questions, concerns or ideas. Thanks!

Johnkoval46@gmail.com

John Koval is planning the FLNCVA Chapter reunion for the weekend of 21 – 23 March 2025. Moving the reunion back to the Spring season will avoid the Hurricane season so we can expect better weather than our outing on the River Cruise last October. This weekend also corresponds to the Reserves training weekend. Please save this date!

We are attempting to have our local reunion March 21st – 23rd at the Hampton Inn in Altamonte Springs. We are awaiting confirmation of our guest speaker Congressman Corey Mills. I do need to know if you plan on attending this function as I have to schedule the caterer for our dinner on the 22nd of March.

Can you please email John Koval at the below address. He needs to know your participation so he can give the caterer a number. Dinner will be $30 per person. Please let him know by the 30th of January.

Johnkoval46@gmail.com

Beset by hurricane Milton the week before and still affected by flood water and high winds, the 2024 FLNCVA get together went amazingly well. When the St. John’s River Ship Company had to cancel the cruise down the St. John’s river due to flood waters on lake Monroe combined with high winds half of those who had booked the cruise decided not to attend. The six of of that did attend had a great time dockside with a fine lunch and good entertainment provided by the crew.

This year we are planning a little SEA-DUTY. We are going to have a luncheon on the St. Johns River ship (Barbara-Lee), departing from Historic Downtown Sanford, Florida at 10:30am on the 19^th of October. Our luncheon will include a 3 hour voyage up the St. Johns River aboard the Barbara-Lee. A full table service menu is provided and will include your choice of the following:

• Prime Rib
• Tropical Chicken
• Chicken Marsala
• Chicken Parmesan
• Salmon Filet
• Entrée Caesar Salad
• Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
• First Mates Meal

You will enjoy climate-controlled comfort as you cruise up the St. Johns river. Reservations can be made by phone (321 -441-3030) and reference the NCVA reservation # 4232 8743. Cost is $79.52 per person. Free parking is available at the pier (433 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771). Reservations must be made by September 15^th.

Additionally, we have made rooms available at the Hampton Inn located in Altamonte Springs if your planning on an overnight visit. They can be contacted at (407) 331-0220. Be sure and reference NCVA. For those coming in on the 18^th and staying at the Hampton Inn, we will probably visit the Italian Restaurant located around the corner that night for dinner.

If you have any questions, please contact John Koval at (321 277 6180) or by email (johnkoval46@gmail.com).

By John Koval

The annual reunion was held the weekend of 9/09/2023 at the Hampton Inn located in Altamonte Springs, Florida. As part of our annual tradition, the Florida Chapter honors a Sailor-of-the-Year . This year’s honoree is CTR1 Bridgette Beriault from the reserve component (NIOCGA) NAVOPSPTCEN Orlando, Florida. Lt. Nicholas Russo accepted the award on her behalf.

Deputy Sheriff’s from the Seminole County Financial Crime Task Force presented a lecture on the many scams that are currently targeted at our senior citizens. I believe all in attendance found this presentation interesting.

How will the expected government shutdown affect the VA? They have posted a web page that explains what to expect from the VA if there is a government shutdown. Follow this link to see their post.