I would like to take a moment to welcome you, your family, and your sailor to the Checkmates Family. My name is Lori Stafford, and I am your contact for the command’s Family Readiness Group (FRG).

The VFA-211 FRG is a combination of wives, mothers, daughters, husbands, fathers, sons, fiancés, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc…that come together to ensure that the families as well as our sailors are given the support they need. We promote camaraderie among the families of VFA-211 and serve the needs of individuals who are sharing in a common experience.

The FRG meets on the 3rd Thursday of every other month from 6:30-7:30 at the London Bridge Baptist Church located in Virginia Beach. The FRG meetings provide information on a variety of military family topics and organize family events. These include: fundraisers to support events, activities and functions for the families and children during deployment, as well as, the half-way party and homecoming. We welcome everyone to join and volunteers are always needed. Free Childcare is provided.

A family newsletter, The Checkmates Flyer, is also sent out bi-monthly that contains updates, and keeps you in touch with the happenings at the command and in the local area. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please email vfa211frg@yahoo.com with your name, address, email and the name of the sailor you are attached to, and we will be more than happy to add you to the list. If you would like to be added to the email list with updates and information, please let us know and we will add you to that as well.

The Command Ombudsman is Mrs. Mary Miller, she provides information and outreach to family members, interacts and cooperates with organizations and military offices, such as the family service centers, chaplain’s office, medical treatment facilities, Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society, American Red Cross and legal assistance offices that are valuable resources in obtaining assistance for command family members. She serves as a primary link of communicating official information between the command and its families. She serves as a confidential advocate who is available to support and assist the VFA-211 families. She can be reached via email at vfa211ombudsman@yahoo.com or by phone at 757.961.1142.

Once again, welcome aboard!

Lori Stafford
VFA-211 Family Readiness Group President
757.615.2440
Vfa211frg@yahoo.com