Editor, Gazette-Journal:

In early 1988, Cdr. E. Travers Thompson (USN-ret.) sent out letters to all known retired military in our area to determine the interest in forming an organization of retired officers

On Sept. 12, 1988 the first meeting of the Retired Officers of Mathews County Association (ROMCA) was held. The primary purpose of the organization was getting together socially and “giving the ladies a nice night out every month.” During the organizational phase of ROMCA, someone suggested “we will do no good work, only meet people like us and have a good time.” This thought became the mission and motto of ROMCA. The dues were set at $10 per year in 1989, and remain so in 2020.

Membership as of January 1989 was as follows: 18 Navy, 9 Army, 4 Air Force and 2 Coast Guard.

The original intent was to meet monthly with a dinner meeting, but later, this was changed to where dinner meetings were held every other month. The variety of meetings has changed as well. Now an annu...