5-Stars
Cape Fear Chapter (e-newsletter and website)
Catawba Valley Chapter (print newsletter and website) Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter (website)
Southeastern NC Chapter (print newsletter and website) Tarheel Central Chapter (print newsletter and website)
4-Stars
North Carolina Council of Chapters (e-newsletter and website)
* The Triangle Chapter of the North Carolina Council of Chapters was the recipient of a 2019 recruitment award from MOAA in Category 4 with 32 new members having been signed up...
* Kudos to COL Herb Segal, USA, Ret., President and members of the Triangle Chapter for their efforts.
* Visit the Triangle Chapter on the web to learn more about the chapter, one of 15 in the North Carolina Council of Chapters.
* Check out the county by county link on our North Carolina Council of Chapters website to learn more about becoming a member of one of our award winning chapters.
* The MUSNAVC was the recipient of a 2019 recruitment award from MOAA in Category 3 with 90 new members having been signed up...
* KUDOs to the MUSNAVC leadership COL Jeri Graham, USA, Ret., and LTC Joe Gollasch, USA, Ret.
Link: Open the website here:
* In the March edition of Military Officer magazine, on page 96, Osborne Piedmont Chapter member Claudia Hollis is featured; the wonderful lady who makes sleeping mats from plastic grocery bags is featured for her work!! Way to go Claudia!
* Are there other who want to contribute plastic grocery bags that are building up in your cabinet or closet? Contact the Osborne Piedmont Chapter on ways to donate...Claudia will put them to good use!
Click on the photograph to the right to enlarge and read the article or use the downloadable link below.
* Information from MOAA via their Legislative Action Center is provided in this post...For more about MOAA's legislative advocacy mission, including how you can make your voice heard, click here.
* “In 2019, MOAA Government Relations will engage the 116th Congress early and often on issues of greatest importance to our members, the men and women in our uniformed services, their families, and their survivors,” says Col. Dan Merry, USAF (Ret), vice president of Government Relations. “As military experience among members of Congress has declined over the years, with just over 17 percent having experience in uniform at the onset of 2019, these goals are instrumental to our efforts to inform and influence members of Congress and their staffs.”
* The split political power between the two houses promises to bring new challenges and opportunities. Those cannot be addressed until the new Congress is sworn in and committee assignments have been finalized.
* However, a first step in any new congressional session is to reintroduce legislation that was not passed in the previous legislative cycle. MOAA's national and grassroots supporters will work directly with members of Congress to ensure our interests are properly represented by proposed and reintroduced legislation.
HERE ARE THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION GOALS FOR 2019
The Goal: Ensure any TRICARE reform sustains access to top-quality care.
* Background: Access to quality care is paramount for all beneficiaries in TRICARE programs and VA Community Networks - regardless of location. Access has been enhanced by technology, such as the DoD-VA Electronic Health Record and the expansion of telehealth capabilities.
* MOAA's Stance: Savings gained from reforms should benefit the health care system and beneficiaries. Military treatment facilities (MTFs) remain instrumental to an operational medical force, which is necessary to support a military ready force, and should continue to support beneficiary care to sustain medical training platforms.
* Actions: Strengthen our partnership with Defense Health Agency (DHA) working groups and executive sessions. Engage The Military Coalition's Healthcare Committee. Continue to administer and drive results of MOAA's health care surveys. Closely monitor the new role DHA has for oversight of MTFs.
The Goal: Prevent disproportional TRICARE fee increases.
* Background: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently introduced, as a potential option, TRICARE for Life enrollment fees and minimum out-of-pocket requirements as ways the federal budget could escape red ink. Independent of the CBO report (PDF), DoD and Congress have stated retiree health care costs are spiraling out of control, and beneficiaries do not pay enough for their health care. Based on DoD's own data, MOAA knows this is not true - the difference is attributable to rising institutional and readiness costs. Despite that, the report and the ongoing budget pressure have turned TRICARE For Life into a potential target for fee increases to offset readiness or other programs.
* MOAA's Stance: Military retirees, through their service and sacrifice, have paid in full for their TRICARE For Life benefits. Congress - not DoD - should determine appropriate TRICARE fees.
Actions: Reverse or significantly decrease the 2018 TRICARE Prime copayment increases for grandfathered/Group-A beneficiaries. Modify fee structure to reduce out-of-pocket costs for successive specialty appointments, such as physical therapy or mental health care. Protect TRICARE For Life as a second payer to Medicare Part B.
The Goal: Sustain military pay comparability with the private sector.
* Background: A residual 2.6-percent pay-raise gap still exists between servicemembers and private-sector civilians, attributable to three years of pay-raise caps. Political pressure to reduce costs might lead Congress to again cap military pay raises, widening the pay-raise gap between military and civilians.
* MOAA's Stance: As the cost of labor increases across the nation, so too should the paychecks of our uniformed servicemembers. Adequate pay and allowances - including competitive raises - are key to recruiting and retaining an effective all-volunteer force. This issue affects all currently serving uniformed personnel and their families, and succeeding on this issue has a positive, far-reaching impact. Any pay raise set by the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) must match the Employment Cost Index (ECI) increase of 3.1 percent -- anything lower will make the pay gap wider.
* Actions: Maintain continuous, unified messaging to legislators and service leadership, advising annual military pay raises approved by Congress correlate with ECI to help overcome damage done by the three recent pay caps (2014-2016). Coordinate with The Military Coalition to address this wide-reaching imperative of support to those in uniform, and seek closure of the 2.6-percent gap as soon as feasible.
The Goal: Stop erosion of compensation and non-pay quality-of-life benefits.
* Background: Other components of compensation are equally essential to recruiting and retaining the all-volunteer force. Political pressure to reduce costs could encourage Congress to reconsider the calculations for the basic allowance for housing (BAH), as it has done in recent years. First was an attempt to do away with BAH for dual-military families. The following year, Congress attempted to do away with the with-dependent rate BAH for those dual-military couples with children.
* MOAA's Stance: Other pays and allowances are essential to shaping the force with the proper skill sets and experience. As the Blended Retirement System matures, these pays will become even more important to recruiting and retention.
* Actions: Continue to oppose proposals to reduce compensation or undermine long-term retention. Assess progress of the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation's review of Regular Military Compensation and potential changes to a salary system.
The Goal: End financial penalties for military survivors.
* Background: Nearly 67,000 military survivors lose between $900 and $1,500 per month due to the widows tax. The widows tax is the amount of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payment offset by Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
* MOAA's Stance: SBP and DIC are two different payments for two different reasons. The offset should be eliminated, and DIC should be improved to align with other federal survivor benefits. Additionally, survivors' and dependents' educational assistance benefits should be increased.
* Actions: Ensure legislation is introduced in the 116th Congress to address survivor benefits. Educate legislators, staffers, and other stakeholders about the inequities. Mobilize MOAA members and The Military Coalition to engage and press for legislation to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The Goal: End concurrent receipt penalties for military retirees.
* Background: Retirees with a 40-percent or lower disability rating and those with a 30-percent or higher disability rating who are forced to retire before completing a full 20-year military career, are prohibited from receiving military retired pay concurrent with VA disability compensation. Political pressure to keep budget costs down has remained the main threat to getting legislation passed to end these financial penalties.
* MOAA's Stance: All eligible retirees should receive both retirement and disability compensation.
* Actions: Ensure legislation is introduced in the 116th Congress to address Chapter 61 inequities. Educate legislators and congressional staff about the impact these financial penalties have on some of our most vulnerable retirees. Mobilize our membership and The Military Coalition to engage Capitol Hill.
The Goal: Achieve equity of benefits for Guard and Reserve members with their active duty counterparts.
* Background: An operational Guard and Reserve is an essential component to the national defense strategy because they make up approximately 38 percent of U.S. uniformed manpower.
* MOAA's Stance: Achieving pay and benefits parity with active duty forces is vital to recruiting, retaining, and sustaining forces for the Guard and Reserve supporting our nation's defense strategy.
* Actions: Encourage Congress to advance equal pay and benefits for similar service by the Guard and Reserve relative to active duty troops. Build partnerships with federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and state governors to expand and strengthen employer support for Guard and Reserve members. Appeal to The Military Coalition and its Guard and Reserve Committee to expand influence and reach in all areas affecting pay and benefits issues.
The Goal: Strengthen DoD-VA collaboration and services to support wounded warriors and an expanding population of women veterans.
* Background: Programs developed to support wounded warriors and their families and caregivers since Sept. 11, 2001, continue to be essential to readiness and the war-fighting mission of the future. Veterans who served in past and current wars still struggle to obtain needed benefits due to the lack of congressional action on key issues, particularly toxic exposures and their long-term impacts. The Pentagon has worked to forge collaborative relationships with other government and nongovernment agencies - most significantly the VA. Also evolving is a greater appreciation for the specific differences in health care and support for women veterans.
* MOAA's Stance: Improving upon this collaboration will require investments in leadership, resources, and funding - to include oversight and reporting.
As we progress, DoD's and the VA's evolving systems must continue in sync and remain fully aligned to delivering seamless care and benefits.
* Actions: Monitor the FY 2019 NDAA requirement for a review and assessment of DoD and service wounded warrior programs. Seek legislation forcing the VA to address known gaps in benefits to veterans. Involve The Military Coalition's Veterans Committee to expand influence and reach in all areas affecting veterans' issues. Engage and advocate on behalf of the VA - when needed - to ensure the agency is adequately resourced and equipped to deliver benefits to veterans without backlogs or delays. Preserve the integrity of and access to DoD and VA health systems for dually eligible beneficiaries.
The Goal: Ensure timely access to service-earned VA benefits.
* Background: The veteran population of nearly 22 million is projected to decline in coming years. Demand for VA health care and benefits, however, steadily grows because of the aging and unique demographics of this population.
* MOAA's Stance: Major health care and benefit system reforms have been implemented in recent years but require an ongoing commitment and investments to meet demand and ensure timely access. Continuing implementation will pose challenges to fund evolving technologies, infrastructure, electronic health records, full staffing at every echelon, and the various support systems that tie these efforts together. Further, political forces continue to threaten or erode the core VA health and benefit missions and foundational services.
* Actions: Oppose efforts to use veterans' disability benefits compensation or other benefits to pay for VA system improvements and diminish or restrict access to service-earned benefits. Press DoD and the VA to achieve true interoperability of electronic medical, personnel, and benefits records to improve medical outcomes and delivery of benefits. Mandate DoD and the VA to develop protocols and establish a mechanism to address service-connected illnesses and environmental exposures and institute a framework for managing toxic exposures that might happen in the future.
The Goal: Protect military and veteran family support programs and policies.
* Background: Congress and DoD recognize military and veteran family quality of life is critical to recruiting and retaining the all-volunteer force. Often, support programs for military and veteran families are the first to be cut when government funds become tight.
* MOAA's Stance: It is necessary to update family support programs and policies to reflect the needs of today's military families. Spouse employment, children's education, special needs, commissaries and exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs are essential today. Adequate, affordable, and safe housing remains a concern for all military families, especially those in high-cost areas where options are limited.
* Actions: Educate members of Congress and their staffers on the importance of military family readiness and issues affecting military and veteran families. Protect programming and subsidies essential to MWR and family readiness. Eliminate health and safety hazards in military base housing. Decrease military spouse unemployment and underemployment. Ensure quality of life and health of military and veteran families.
The accompanied pictures are from the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, Spring Lake on December 15, 2018. This was a most memorable JOINT group - the MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter is grateful to USAA for their Chapter Sponsorship and other member donations were able to distribute wreaths to 4 sites around the country, thus the USAA and MOAA signs. The Cape Fear Chapter was represented by COL (Ret) Ok Sun Hodges whose spouse MAJ (Ret) Alexander Hodges was interred there this past year; COL (Ret) Diana DiStefano (Sandhills Chapter), COL (Ret) Jeri Graham, COL (Ret) Diane Scherr, COL (Ret) Ed Baisden and COL (Ret) Deb Betts also noted.
Lt.Col. Long was born in Ashe County, NC on July 22nd, 1925, the 11th child of George and Flora Long. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Joe joined the Army Air Corp, volunteering for pilot training. He was diverted to gunnery school and served on B24 aircraft until 1946. After the war, Joe entered the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1950 with a BS in Commerce and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force. Upon graduation, Joe entered pilot training. He served 14 years with the Strategic Air Command (SAC), flying B29’s on reconnaissance missions during the Korean War. He served as an instructor at SAC with his experience in B29, B47, B50, and B52 aircraft. While assigned to Lowry Air Force Base, he earned a master’s degree in Industrial Management from the University of Colorado in 1963. In 1967, he volunteered for Vietnam serving as a forward air controller. Upon returning, he was assigned to the Military Airlift Command and flew the C141 in support of the war. Between 1968 and 1972 he flew hundreds of troop support missions over to Vietnam and Air Evac missions back to the United States. For his last mission, he was designated to transport 65 senior ambassadors to Ethiopia for a UN meeting. He finished his career with a 2-year assignment with the Joint Military Assistance Group where they helped modernize the Korean Military Forces. He served a total of 35 years and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 8 Air Medals, 1 Joint Service Commendation Medal and 2 Air Force Commendation Medals. Shortly after retiring in 1978, he was part of a large group to work on assistance to the Shah of Iran to shape a modern military force.
After retiring, he served many volunteer hours with the Military Officers Association of America, Federal Retiree Task Force, the 4th Branch and his local MOAA chapter. He also worked with the Red Cross on their emergency notification system for active military. He never stopped serving!
Joe married Martha Price in 1946 and they became parents to Pattie. Martha passed away after a lengthy illness after 54 years of marriage. In 2003, he and Joan Freeman Shaw were married. Their blended family includes 5 children,10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Joe and Joan reside at Searstone Community in Cary, NC.
Link: Joseph H. Long Legacy.com Obituary on the Raleigh News & Observer
Council/Chapter Name / Award
NC00 - North Carolina State Council / 5 Star
NC01 - Cape Fear Chapter / 5 Star
NC02 - Coastal Carolina Chapter / 4 Star
NC04 - Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter / 5 Star
NC07 - Southeastern NC Chapter / 5 Star
NC08 - Tarheel Central Chapter / 4 Star
NC09 - Triangle Chapter / 5 Star
NC10 - Western North Carolina Chapter / 5 Star
NC21 - High Country Chapter / 5 Star
On July 4th, 2018, the High Country Chapter (HCCMOAA, NC-21) and the Town of Boone NC unveiled and dedicated the Watauga County Veterans Memorial. The ceremony was the culmination of a three year effort to design, construct, install and fund this ambitious project. HCCMOAA came up with the concept and developed the strategic plan which took the project from vision to fruition. HCCMOAA partnered with the Town of Boone, which donated land for the memorial site and many hours of in-kind support, to help make this striking tribute to veterans a reality. Chapter members chaired key committees comprised of subject matter experts and volunteers which handled the competition/design, advertising/publicity, engineering/construction and fundraising phases of the project. MOAA provided the overall project leadership and collaborated with many local organizations to advertise and promote the memorial. Literally hundreds of individuals, corporations, organizations and state and local governments helped us reach our goal of $165,000 through financial and in-kind contributions. A remarkable achievement for a chapter our size.
The stainless steel sculpture titled “Time and Honor” was chosen from 19 proposals submitted in response to a regional competition. The artist selected was Suzie Hallier from Banner Elk, NC who designed and built the memorial. The sculpture is in the form of an ellipse increasing in size from left to right and culminating in five pillars which honor our five armed forces. The ellipse prominently features the words “Duty Honor Country”, the West Point motto long ago adopted by all services to reflect the determination, perseverance and dedication of all who serve this great country. Knee walls surrounding the sculpture depict the dates and lives lost in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War and current and future conflicts in defense of freedom. These are the most prominent of the 82 conflicts in which one or more of our services have fought. A third wall dedicates the monument to all veterans who served and acknowledges the contributions which made the memorial possible.
This MOAA led effort was an outstanding example of many diverse community elements joining forces to achieve an objective which honors in perpetuity our veterans who are with us today and those who gave their lives in the service of our Country.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM (GWOT) MONUMENT
The long-awaited dedication of the new Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) monument at the Freedom Memorial Park in downtown Fayetteville will take place a week from now on Memorial Day, Monday the 28th of May 2018 starting at 10:00 AM.
This is a worthy tribute to our brave men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice in fighting terrorism worldwide since 9/11. The realization of this community undertaking was made possible by the consideration and generosity of our chapter members who collectively donated over $25,000 to defray the cost of the monument.
Several chapter members will participate in the ceremony. The invocation will be delivered by our Chaplain (LTC) Tim Atkinson. The keynote speaker will be General Dan K. McNeill, a chapter member and a veteran of several global war on terrorism campaigns.
Two other members, COL James Wanovich and LTC Jon Pendell, both veterans of multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11, will assist in laying the CFC memorial wreath on the GWOT monument.
This will be a historic event for our chapter in that it is our first tangible contribution to our local community. A sizable and noticeable representation of the Cape Fear Chapter at the event would be most appropriate and desirable; a group photo will be taken upon conclusion of the ceremony.
Let us all observe this Memorial Day by attending this poignant and patriotic ceremony in honor of those who have laid down their lives in service to our nation.
UPDATE: Congratulations to the Cape Fear Chapter for their support of the new memorial on the Global War on Terrorism. Read the MOAA website post with the story about the Cape Fear Chapter's participation in the monuments development.
The following Council and Chapters in the North Carolina Council of Chapters were recognized for the awards shown that were announced after MOAA’s 2018 Storming the Hill.
5 Star Award for NC00 - NC Council Website
5 Star Award for NC00 - NC Council E-Newsletter
5 Star Award for NC01 - Cape Fear Website
5 Star Award for NC01 - Cape Fear E-Newsletter
4 Star Award for NC02 - Coastal Carolina Website
5 Star Award for NC07 - SENCLAND Website
5 Star Award for NC07 - SENCLAND Print Newsletter
5 Star Award for NC09 - Triangle Website
5 Star Award for NC09 - Triangle Print Newsletter
5 Star Award for NC11 - Catawba Valley Website
5 Star Award for NC11 - Catawba Valley Print Newsletter
5 Star Award for NC22 - New River E-Newsletter
Kudos to all!!
“I am very proud of the NC contingent that stormed the hill on Wednesday. We saw lots of important and busy people who are managing the business of our great country. I believe they heard our issues, understand the implications and are more likely to take action based on our discussion and materials we left behind. The respected MOAA reputation was enhanced! Our military and veterans should be better off because of our efforts. We were a great example of how we are advocates for NEVER STOP SERVING!”
BZ! Well Done! (See thumbnail photograph)
Shown in the pictures (Upper Right) Greg Chase, Parks Noyes and Jeri Graham and (Lower Right) Rollie Sampson, Scott Wadle and David Lee.
This is a Cyber Threat Awareness Message that is being provided by the Defense Information Systems Agency about a threat posed for users of NetFLIX in order to inform them about a phishing effort and to avoid providing any personal information in response to an e-mail.
COL Jeri Graham, North Carolina Council of Chapters Immediate Past President and MOAA Board Member is recognized as NC TarHeel of the Week as reported in the Raleigh News and Observer.
The below, downloadable press release is posted here to inform everyone of the newly adopted requirements for access to the Marine Corps Base, Camp LeJeune...everyone is encouraged to provide maximum distribution to persons in North Carolina regarding this change and the effect it may have on gaining access to the base.
* MOAA recently announced it's 5- and 4-Star winners in the annual Levels of Excellence award competition that recognizes top notch council and chapters for 2016. The very best councils and chapters receive five-star awards, and above-average councils and chapters receive four-star awards.
* Here are the North Carolina Council of Chapters 2016 winners:
5 Stars:
- North Carolina Council of Chapters (CAPT Doug Ehrhardt accepting the NCCOC award from Lt Gen Atkins, below right.)
- Cape Fear (NC01) Chapter (Thumbnail #1, LTC Bob Garman accepting the Cape Fear award.)
- Sandhills (NC06) Chapter (Thumbnail #2, LTC Gary Marlar accepting the Sandhills award.)
- Triangle (NC09) Chapter (Thumbnail #3, CAPT Dean Block accepting the Triangle award.)
- Western Carolina (NC10) Chapter (Thumbnail #4, COL Spence Campbell accepting the Western Carolina award.)
- Catawba Valley (NC11) Chapter Thumbnail #5, COL Joe Cansler accepting the Catawba Valley award.)
- High Country (NC21) Chapter (Thumbnail #6, COL Ben Covington accepting the High Country award.)
4 Stars:
- Charlotte-Metrolina (NC04) Chapter Thumbnail #7, Col Ron Morgan accepting the Charlotte-Metrolina award.)
- Southeastern NC Chapter Thumbnail #8, COL Jim Brumit accepting the SENCLand award.)
- New River (NC22) Chapter (CAPT Ehrhardt also accepted the New River award from Lt Gen Atkins.)
- The Durham-Orange Chapter has an ongoing project of providing home-made cupcakes to the USO at RDU to celebrate the anniversary of each of the Services. The Coast Guard's birthday is August 4 so nine of our members met today to ice and decorate the 18 DOZEN cupcakes we had baked.
- Today's project was special for one of our members, whose father served in WW II in the Coast Guard. Today was our second time since we celebrated the birthday of the US Army in June.
- The chapters next project date is September 19 to celebrate the Air Force's birthday.
* Six members of the Durham-Orange Chapter met at the home of President Bruce Harris on June 13, 2017 to decorate cupcakes baked at member's homes...lots of fun and festive cupcakes were the final product (pictured, lower right as proof!)
* A volunteer met us curbside at Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU) to take them up to the USO.
* A fun afternoon which provided good feelings by all knowing that they're really appreciated. This particular sharing experience was to celebrate U.S. Army birthday...plans are to do this for every service birthday....next is Coast Guard in August!
Pictured ( L to R): Doug Ehrhardt, Iggy Husar, Harley Ellinger, Jeri Graham, Marie Senzig and Vern Pike.
Pictured (bottom thumbnail photograph) is Jeri Graham, Legislative Chair, North Carolina Veterans Council with James Prosser, Director, North Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs.
Scroll over the thumbnail pictures (right) to see some of the Veterans organizations that were represented at the event.
* The MOAA Councils and Chapters that are the recipients of 2016 Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards were announced at the President's Seminar which took place after "Storming the Hill."
* Pictured (above right): CAPT Douglas Ehrhardt, USN, Ret., President of the North Carolina Council of Chapters is presented a 5 Star award for the Council website by Lt Gen Dana Atkins, USAF, Ret., President and CEO of MOAA.
* Pictured (below right) is the group photograph of the representatives of the 137 award recipients from the attendees at the President's Seminar.
North Carolina Council of Chapters Awards:
* 5 Star
- North Carolina Council of Chapters Website
* 4 Star
- North Carolina Council of Chapters E-Newsletter
- Cape Fear Chapter Print Newsletter
- Coastal Carolina Website
- Coastal Carolina Print Newsletter
- Sandhills Chapter Print Newsletter
- SENCLand Chapter Website
- SENCLand Chapter Print Newsletter
- Triangle Chapter Website
- Triangle Chapter Print Newsletter
- Catawba Valley Chapter Website
- Catawba Valley Chapter Print Newsletter
- New River Chapter Website
- New River Chapter E-Newsletter
KUDOS TO ALL OUR COUNCIL AWARDEES!
The Military Officers Association of America Marix Awards Ceremony, named for MOAA's first president, was on April 4th...North Carolina Council of Chapters President, CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret., and his wife Cathy, attended the ceremony as part of the annual event on Capitol Hill with the North Carolina Council of Chapters delegation and other MOAA council and chapter members in DC for "Storming the Hill," 2017.
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters delegation that will "Storm the Hill" tomorrow, April 5th to meet our 2 Senators and 13 Representatves to bring our message of two primary issues of importance to the military - active, retired, Guard and Reserve, officer AND enlisted, as well as surviving spouses of deceased persons is pictured. Issue #1 - sequestration, and Issue #2 - the SBP/DIC offset.
* Shown (left to right): COL Ed Baisden, USA, Ret., COL Jeri Graham, USA, Ret., Lt Gen Dana Atkins,USAF, Ret. and CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret.
David and Catherine Sevier gave an informative presentation to the 1st quarterly meeting of the North Carolina Council of Chapters regarding the Carolinas Center (TCC), a nonprofit association serving a large network of hospices and palliative care organizations across North and South Carolina for which they received a $1.1 million Duke Endowment Foundation grant to help persons "Own One's Own Health" and to also enable them, and their families, in making important end of life decisions.
The two files, below, are downloadable for use by chapters to share this information with their members.
* The March "Affiliate," MOAA's e-Newsletter, contains information on changes to the LOE awards program that affect both Councils and Chapters.
* It is recommended that Chapter Presidents read the new policy regarding Levels of Excellence awards and plan accordingly for efforts within their chapter to participate in the revised program.
* Click here to open an important link to information about the Bailey case that is helpful to ALL North Carolina veterans! The link is to the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
* Please provide widest dissemination of this information to all chapter members in the North Carolina Council of Chapters.
* Also, please remember to register on the 4th Branch website to stay informed with action in the NC legislature regarding Bailey.
* Thanks!
* Of the many important activities the North Carolina Council of Chapters has going on, one that is history in the making is our collaboration with The 4th Branch.
* After many months of decision making, collaboration and process improvements, we now all have an electronic communications resource to contact our NC legislators.
* We’ve learned from years of TAKING ACTION with National MOAA important legislative matters, that having the use of technology enables us to have a much more powerful collective voice.
* The 4th Branch, along with other Federal Retiree Task Force members, were heavily involved in the decision making and seeking the support of CQRoll Call ENGAGE. Now YOU are being asked to register in the program.
* START HERE: 4th BRANCH REGISTRATION
1) When completing your registration, enter NCCOC-MOAA where it asks for an organization.
2) When it asks for where you have served, check off all applicable boxes including MILITARY.
3) Make sure that you put in your entire "Zip + 4” zip code.
- Remember that this company has an impressive security system and is very widely used by other advocacy groups.
- The new 4th Branch website houses this program and you will find important links to the mission of the 4th Branch, news feeds and a messaging component where you’ll receive messages to TAKE ACTION.
- After you become registered, let’s build a POWERFUL VOICE IN NORTH CAROLINA by contacting everyone you know and asking them to also register.
- YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MOAA member to have a voice in this system. You just need to live in NC and complete the registration.
- This system will enable us to target messages for organizational groups, but it is only a start! It won't be effective if we don’t all participate.
- Thanks again for all that you do every day to demonstrate that you care and advocate for ALL service members, retirees, veterans, families and survivors.
- I’m counting on you to get ENGAGED. Please know that I welcome your questions and concerns.
The attached photograph of the Catawba Valley Chapter's Officer Installation was taken at the chapter's regular meeting. Shown are North Carolina Council of Chapters President, CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret. administering the oath of office to "Davie" Davenport (pictured left) and LTC James Cole (right). Congratulations to each on their commitment to "Never Stop Serving."
(Photo courtesy of COL John Liburdi, Catawba Valley Chapter).
* The Piedmont Chapter of MOAA, LTC Lee Richmond, President, sponsors 2 ROTC units and 20 JROTC units. The units and their programs foster leadership skills and the Piedmont Chapter is proud to participate in their programs.
* Recently, chapter leaders were invited by Navy Captain Frank Shearin (shown upper right with LTC Richmond), Southeast Guilford High School Navy JROTC commander, to attend the area commanders inspection of the school’s Navy JROTC.
* Chapter members BGen Blake Williams, LCDR Jim Ertner and Lee (lower right) were warmly welcomed to watch the well trained cadets perform drills in the school gymnasium (thumbnail photograph).
* It was an excellent performance and we were pleased that MOAA had representatives at this event.
The annual meeting of MOAA can be viewed in its entirety in this YouTube video.
* The Piedmont Chapter of the North Carolina Council of Chapters was recognized in the November 2016 issue of Military Officer magazine on page 42 for their donations to the Triad Veterans Stand Down...
* Kudos to Chapter President, Lee Richmond and the members of the Piedmont Chapter of MOAA!
* Check it out!
* The inspirational movie about WWII Medal of Honor winner Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who saved the lives of 75 of his fellow soldiers in Okinawa opened in more than 3000 theaters in the U.S. on November 4th.
* Please share with fellow veterans, and GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!
* To learn more about Desmond Doss, click here.
* To get more information on the production of the movie, click here.
* To see the 2004 documentary film, "The Conscientious Objector," produced by Terry Benedict, click here.
The annual meeting of the Military Officers Association of America was held on October 25, 2016 at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel in Washington, DC. The meeting was preceded by the annual awarding of Levels of Excellence streamers (shown, lower right) to Councils and Chapters earning 4- or 5-Stars at the Friday, October 24, 2016 dinner.
* This year, the North Carolina Council of Chapters, as well as 11 of our 16 state chapters received 4- or 5-Star streamers from MOAA Chairman of the Board, GEN Tony Robertson, Jr., USAF-Ret. at the annual awards dinner. Shown in the first thumbnail photograph (right) is a group picture of the North Carolina Council of Chapters winners.
* Award recipients (thumbnail pictures #2 - #11) are:
North Carolina Council - CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, President is shown accepting a 5-star streamer.
Cape Fear Chapter - COL Juan Chavez, President is shown accepting a 5-star streamer.
Coastal Chapter - CAPT Marie Senzig, President is shown accepting a 4-star streamer.
Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter - COL Ron Morgan, President is shown accepting a 5-star streamer..
Sandhills Chapter - COL Ed Baisden is shown accepting a 5-star streamer on behalf of Polly Flippo, President.
Southeastern Chapter - COL Jim Brumit, President is shown accepting a 4-star streamer.
Tarheel Chapter - LTC Greg Bean, President is shown accepting a 4-star streamer.
Triangle Chapter - COL Matt Segal, President is shown accepting a 5-star streamer.
Western Chapter - CDR John Nunnellee is shown accepting a 5-star streamer on behalf of Spence Campbell, President.
High Country Chapter - Maj Bob Gibbard, President is shown accepting a 4-star streamer.
Note: CAPT Ehrhardt, NCCOC President accepted a 4-star streamer on behalf of COL Joe Cansler, President of the Catawba Valley Chapter and a 5-star streamer on behalf of Maj. Lou Burge, President of the New River Chapter.
* The Catawba Valley Chapter's efforts in support to a community "Stand Down" are recognized in the October 2016 edition of Military Officer magazine on page 64.
* Kudos to President Joe Cansler and the Catawba Valley Chapter for the excellent work in applying their USAA/MOAA sponsorship funds for council and chapter community focused events.
* Triangle Chapter President Matt Segal shared information from his presentation that was given at the 3rd Quarterly NCCOC Meeting in Blowing Rock, NC.
* Open the attached file to learn more about the opportunity for veterans who were on active duty in the Korean War theater of operations and follow up as desired.
* Thanks Matt and Meg for this information.
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters and individual Chapters can utilize the NC4VETS website to promote their activities by clicking on this link...
* Check it out!
* Pictures from the post "Storming the Hill" Council of Chapters meeting in Alexandria, VA.
* Happy to see pictorial coverage in this months MO Magazine highlighted our NC Council...if I'd known I would be photographed up close I would have combed my hair!
* It was also an honor to have our NC Storming team chosen with Tennessee and Colorado to join Lt Gen Adkins and COL Barry Wright as the faces of MOAA as they elected to not have the large group shot on the Capitol steps since the dome was covered by scaffolding on the day of our visit.
* Terri Kane, NC Fayetteville State Veterans Home VSO and NC Women Veterans Coordinator presents award to the Western Carolina MOAA Chapter with great appreciation to that chapter for their generous contribution to the NC Women Veterans Summit and Expo. COL (Ret) Jeri Graham accepts the award for the Western Chapter.
* In the lower right photograph, COLs (Ret) Diana DiStefano (Sandhills Chapter) and Jeri Graham man the MOAA-NCCOC table at the 2016 NC Women Veterans Summit & Expo. There were numerous positive interchanges with Summit attendees and exhibitors and six attendees completed MOAA membership cards.
* As North Carolina Council of Chapters president, it's an honor to attend chapter meetings in our North Carolina system...today's visit is in Greensboro with 51 members and guests of the Osborne Piedmont Chapter, LTC Lee Richmond, President.
* Shown at right is Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC 06) who was the guest speaker.
A discussion topic at the regular business meeting related to VA Form 10-0485, "Request for and Authorization to Release Protected Health Information to Nationwide Health Information Network." The PDF form can be opened from the below, downloadable file.
Link: VA Form 10-0485
* The members of the Osborne Piedmont Chapter collected food along with Lauren Starkey and members of the local ministry club at Caldwell Academy...the food drive benefitted homeless and disabled veterans by supporting the Servant Center in Greensboro, NC.
* Shown in the pictures (above right) is Chapter President LTC Lee Richmond, USA, Ret.with Lauren and the centers volunteers (below right) when the donations were delivered.
* Thanks Lee and members of the Osborne Piedmont Chapter!
* Open the below downloadable file from NC4Vets containing information on the 2016 Women Veterans Summit and Expo.
* Please give widest dissemination to your own veteran's organizations!
* Thank you.
Link: Click here for the information on Summit sponsors, speakers and to register:
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters completed the award selection for the JROTC Senior Officer and NCO Instructors from applications submitted by the 17 North Carolina Council of Chapters schools with JROTC programs.
* Shown (right) are the award certificates that were framed and sent with a $250 gift card to the awardees who were both from the Sandhills Chapter.
* The framed certificates and gift cards were mailed to CDR Polly Flippo, USN, Ret., Sandhills Chapter President for presentation to the awardees at a chapter meeting.
* Congratulations Lt. Col. Croucher and MGSGT Dangerfield.
Lt Gen Dana Atkins, USAF, Ret., President, MOAA summarizes events from "Storming the Hill" by MOAA on April 13, 2016 and comments on prospective changes which may be realized following the FY17 NCAA Markup by the U.S. Congress.
* Each year, the winners in the annual MOAA Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards contest are revealed to the state Council presidents attending "Storming the Hill" in Washington, DC.
* Shown (below right) are the 27 Council Presidents with Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret), MOAA President (second row, center) who earned a total of 122 awards in this year's contest.
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters President CAPT Douglas Ehrhardt, USN, Ret. (first row, third from right) received 12 communication certificates for council and chapter awards in the NCCOC.
* Kudos to everyone!!
OUR WINNERS INCLUDE:
North Carolina Council:
- 5 Star Website, Doug Ehrhardt, Webmaster
- 5 Star "Council" Connections Electronic Newsletter, Doug Ehrhardt, Editor
North Carolina Chapters:
- 5 Star Cape Fear Website, Juan Chavez, Webmaster
- 5 Star Cape Fear Gram of Info Electronic Newsletter, Juan Chavez, Editor
- 5 Star Charlotte-Metrolina Website, Ron Wilsbach, Webmaster
- 5 Star Sandhills Website, Mary Schneider, Webmaster
- 5 Star SENCLand Website, Ken Klassan, Webmaster
- 5 Star Triangle Website, Ken Tigges, Webmaster
- 5 Star Triangle Triangle Gram Newsletter, Ken Tigges, Editor
- 5 Star Catawba Valley Website, John Liburdi, Webmaster
- 5 Star New River Website, Doug Ehrhardt, Webmaster
- 4 Star Sandhills Sandhills Chapter of MOAA Newsletter, Polly Flippo, Editor
* A representative gathering of the MOAA "Stormers" pictured here before the U.S. Capital building prior to the day-long event wherein MOAA Presidents from many of the 35 Councils visited legislators from their respective states.
* MOAA's principal concerns to be briefed with the legislators, or their veterans' representatives during the 2016 "Storming the Hill" included support for rejecting the disproportionate TRICARE funding proposal in the upcoming NDAA budget, and repeal of the SBP/DIC (Widow's Tax) reduction.
Along with Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF, Ret., MOAA President (pictured center), are the North Carolina Council of Chapters "Storming Team" that included CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret., President, NCCOC (far right), COL Mike Rogers, USA, Ret., MOAA Board of Directors member (third from right), and Ms. Erica Parra, MOAA Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Committee (far left).
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters President, CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret., participated in the annual MOAA "Storming the Hill" on April 13, 2016.
* The North Carolina team of "Stormers" (pictured L to R) consisted of COL Mike Rogers, USA, Ret., member, MOAA Board of Directors, Ms. Erica Parra, MOAA Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Committee and CAPT Ehrhardt.
Shown in the thumbnail pictures to the right are eight of the fourteen North Carolina legislators that were visited during the "Storming" activity that started at 9:00 AM and lasted until 4:45 PM.
- Senator Richard Burr, R-NC
- Representative Renee Ellmers, NC-02
- Representative Virginia Foxx, NC-05
- Representative Richard Hudson, NC-08
- Representative David Rouzer, NC-07
- Representative Walter Jones, NC-03
- Representative George Holding, NC-13
- Representative Robert Pittenger, NC09
* Open/save the below, downloadable file that is a publication for use by all surviving spouses.
* The Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee (SSAC) is the new title for the Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC). It is a committee of the Military Officers Association of America to provide advice/guidance for all MOAA Councils and Chapters related to topics important to surviving spouses.
The SSAC also has a Facebook page that is a useful link for MOAA members who are users of FB; search for "Surviving Spouses Of MOAA" to link to their page and join...
* Do the postcards and letters you submit to Congress from MOAA's Legislative Alerts on their website make a difference??
* Read the below, downloadable file on the MOAA web to learn more about the importance of everyone's participation in communicating with the Congress on matters regarding efforts to protect the earned entitlements of all military - active, retired, survivors and Guard and Reserve.
* Not already subscribed to MOAA's Legislative Alerts? Click here.
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters installed their new president, CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN, Ret. (upper right) at the 1st Quarterly Meeting of the Council which was hosted by the Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter, Col Ron Morgan, President and held at the Ballantyne Regal Theater, Charlotte, NC.
* Col Brian Anderson, USAF, Ret., Deputy Director, MOAA Department of Council and Chapter Affairs was the invited speaker at the ceremony.
* COL Jeri Graham, USN, Ret., (lower right) outgoing president for 2014-2015, was honored for her service to the Council and presented with numerous awards, to include the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor, Pat McCrory.
* Scroll over the thumbnail pictures to the right to view additional photographs, with captions, from the Friday night dinner at the Ballantyne Regal Theater complex.
* NOTE: When viewing thumbnails, use your mouse to left click on the (F)ast, (M)edium or (S)low controller found in the upper right corner of any image displayed...doing so will run a slide show of all the images at the rate of speed selected. Enjoy!
* Open and enjoy even more pictures from the NCCOC Officer Installation ceremony that was hosted by the Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter and held at the Regal Ballantyne Theater.
* NOTE: When viewing thumbnails, use your mouse to left click on the (F)ast, (M)edium or (S)low controller found in the upper right corner of any image displayed...doing so will run a slide show of all the images at the rate of speed selected. Enjoy!
* On Monday, November 16, 2015, the Piedmont Chapter in Greensboro, NC installed LTC Lee F. Richmond, USA, Ret. as their new chapter president.
* As part of the meeting, the chapter welcomed Col. Cherie Zadlo from MOAA national as the guest speaker. Col. Zadlo is shown (upper photo) presenting outgoing president, Maj. Aimee Corning with the MOAA coin for her service to the chapter.
* The three members are shown (lower photo): Maj. Corning, Col. Zadlo and LTC Richmond.
* MOAA was honored to serve as the 2015 host organization of the Veterans Day National Committee and participate in the annual Veterans Day National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
* MOAA president, Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), joined our nation’s president, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, other senior officials, and members of the VDNC at the Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony, conducted by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
* MOAA sincerely appreciates the efforts of our network of state councils and more than 400 affiliate chapters who actively embody the concept of lifetime service at the national, state and community levels. Our sincerest thanks to the all the council and chapter leaders who attended the Veterans Day ceremony and MOAA-hosted reception at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Our guests were warmly welcomed and expressed deep appreciation for MOAA’s hospitality and leadership. Special thanks to the Northern Virginia Chapter for their outstanding presentation of the colors and the Mount Vernon Chapter for the professional laying of the wreath.
B* MOAA's council and chapter leaders are truly our greatest ambassadors who inspire us every day with selfless service and sacrifice. Thanks again for your commitment to Never Stop Serving!
* North Carolina Council of Chapters President Jeri Graham, USA, Ret. participated in the dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Cemetery on November 9, 2015.
* COL Graham is shown in the thumbnail photographs (right) with Governor Pat McCrory and the newly appointed head of the Governors' Veterans Department, MG Cornell Wilson.
* The state report card, produced annually by the Military Officers Association of America, tracks state level policies across the nation benefiting current, retired, and former servicemembers and their families. Gains since last year have enabled MOAA to introduce a half dozen new categories, as well as expand some returning ones.
* The report details Veteran and Retiree Benefits, Military Family Benefits and Taxation of Military Pay.
* Check it out!
* This recap of MOAA's annual meeting, held at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Orlando, contains the following information summaries:
- 2015 Community Heroes Awards Dinner
- Annual Meeting of the Membership
- Chairman's Luncheon
- Council and Chapters Roundtable
- Levels of Excellence Awards Dinner
* Open/read the event summaries to be informed on all the latest information from national MOAA.
* The 2015 Levels of Excellence Awards Ceremony held on October 31st at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel at Disney Springs as part of MOAA's Annual Meeting had the North Carolina Council of Chapters Presidents, or representatives from 8 of the 10 Council Chapters which earned recognition, in attendance to receive their streamers.
* Pictured (above right) is COL-Ret. Jeri Graham, USA receiving the 5-star award for the NC Council from MOAA Chairman of the Board, GEN Tony Robertson, Jr., USAF-Ret.
* Pictured (below right) is a group picture of all the winners displaying their streamers! (L to R - COL Morgan, Lt Col Brudzinski, COL Chavez, CAPT Ehrhardt, COL Segal, CAPT Senzig, COL Graham and COL Spence)
* Mouse over the thumbnail photographs (right) to see the others receiving their 4-Star or 5-Star streamers:
- President Juan Chavez, 5-Star Cape Fear Chapter
- President Marie Senzig, 4-Star Coastal Carolina Chapter
- President Ron Morgan, 5-Star Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter
- President Matt Segal, 4-Star Triangle Chapter
- Spence Campbell representing the 5-Star Western Carolina Chapter
- Past President George Brudzinski, 5-Star High Country Chapter
- President Doug Ehrhardt, 5-Star New River Chapter
- President Graham also received the streamers for the 5-Star Sandhills Chapter and the 4-Star Catawba Valley Chapter.
* KUDOS to all!!
North Carolina Council of Chapters President, COL Jeri Graham, USA-Ret. had the honor of representing the NC Council for the swearing in of MGEN (Ret) Cornell Wilson as North Carolina's first Secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (pictured right with his spouse - holding the bible- and daughter).
Thank you Congress for another loss of much needed support for our military...
What a travesty if our "leadership" in Congress allow this to go forward!
* The North Carolina Council's JROTC NCO Instructor of the Year Winner, MSgt Michael Jensen, and his wife Sherry are pictured (upper right with NCCOC President Jeri Graham). While enjoying their award weekend getaway, they attended the Military Appreciation Day at St. James Plantation (Southport).
* Pictured (lower right) are SENCLand and Operation at Ease VIP Don Hill and his spouse Tricia with the Jensens, as well as COL Graham and husband Ed Baisden.
* MSgt Jensen has plan to become a member of Voices For America's Troops!
* Thanks are extended to the SENCLand Chapter, Operation at Ease, and the American Legion Post #543, for their hospitality and support.
* The Cape Fear Chapter President, COL Juan Chavez posted the sad news on their website that Harry Meinhardt passed away peacefully at home at 1917 hours, September 3, 2015 in the company of his immediate family.
* Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.
* Read the Fayetteville Observer obituary for COL Meinhardt here.
* The Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards scoring system is being revised effective with the February 1, 2016 submissions. Open this link to learn about the new evaluation criteria for submitting your Council and Chapter entries.
* Note: Any Council or Chapter meeting the criteria with their submission will receive an award in the competition.
* There will only be two categories for entries from Councils or chapters:
(1) Print newsletters and E-Newsletters. Only one entry, either a newsletter or an e-newsletter, is permitted.
(2) Web Sites.
* Select each of the above, hyperlinked files, which upon opening, can be filled out on your computer. (NOTE: For best results using the fillable forms, SAVE them to your computer before opening to facilitate entering your data.
* After entering the data, rename the file(s) and send as attachment(s) to Member Service Center, MOAA.
* National MOAA has a new website design which is active on their homepage.
* Check it out and be sure to bookmark the new location.
The "Chapters in Action" page (p. 47) in the June edition of the Military Officer Magazine published information regarding winning entries in the 2014 Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards contest.
* In paragraph three, the North Carolina Council E-Newsletter Winners were singled out as "having dominated the e-newsletter category!
* Congratulations and kudos go out to all our winners:
- CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, NC Council 1st VP for "Council Connections"
- COL Juan Chavez, Cape Fear President for "A Gram of Info"
- CDR Ron Wilsbach, Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter for "The Gouge"
COL Jeri Graham, NCCOC President and COL Ed Baisden, NCCOC Treasurer, present a Certificate of Appreciation to Donald Johnson, Pinnacle Development, Design, Build of Southern Pines, NC for the company's donation in support of the NCCOC Council level of the 2015 JROTC Instructor of the Year Award.
- Award winners, MAJ Russell Armentrout and MSgt Michael Jensen, will be bringing their families for a getaway weekend to St. James Plantation, Southport, NC.
- The Council recognizes the great contributions of JROTC Instructors across North Carolina. We are most grateful to Pinnacle for demonstrating their support through this contribution.
COL Jeri Graham, NCCOC President presents an award certificate and trophy to Colonel Robert Penny, USAF (Ret), in recognition of his outstanding work in developing the Honoring LTC Robert J. Jones, USA (Ret) NCCOC JROTC Instructor of the Year Award Program.
- Chapters across the state supported selected chapter winners and then forwarded packets for the Council Level Award.
- Colonel Penny, who has had significant JROTC Instructor experience, now coordinates the Triangle chapter JROTC program.
* The USGLC is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs, national security and foreign policy experts, and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.
* In today’s interconnected world, America must use all of the instruments of national security and foreign policy at its disposal. America’s smart power tools of diplomacy and development are underfunded and undermanned.
* The USGLC supports a strong and effective International Affairs Budget for:
- Protecting National Security by fighting terrorism, stabilizing weak and fragile states, combating weapons proliferation and promoting global stability;
- Building Economic Prosperity by developing international markets, driving economic development, building micro-enterprises and expanding exports;
- Strengthening Humanitarian Values by saving lives, alleviating global poverty, fighting HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases as well as hunger, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening democratic institutions.
* Link here to visit their website: USGLC.
* Each year, the winners in the annual MOAA Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards contest are revealed to the state Council presidents attending "Storming the Hill" in Washington, DC.
* This year, North Carolina Council of Chapters President COL Jeri Graham, USA, Ret. learned that 14 communication awards will be forthcoming for the council and chapters in our our state council.
* Kudos to everyone!!
OUR WINNERS INCLUDE:
North Carolina Council:
- Winner, Council Connections Electronic newsletter, Doug Ehrhardt, Editor
- 2nd Runner Up, Website, Doug Ehrhardt, Webmaster
- 2nd Runner Up, Council Comments Print newsletter, Bill & Dee Culler, Co-Editors
North Carolina Chapters:
- Cape Fear, Winner, Website, Juan Chavez, Webmaster
- Cape Fear, Winner, Gram of Info Electronic newsletter, Juan Chavez, Editor
- Catawba Valley, Winner, Unique Communication - Business & Recruiting Cards
- Charlotte-Metrolina, Winner, The Gouge Electronic Newsletter, Ron Wilsbach, Editor
- Coastal Carolina, 2nd Runner Up, Clarion Print Newsletter, Bill & Dee Culler, Co-Editors
- New River, Winner, Unique Communication - "We Are" Program
- Sandhills, Winner, Unique Communication - Recruiting Brochure
- Sandhills, 2nd Runner Up, Website, Mary Schneider, Webmaster
- TarHeel Central, Winner, Unique Communication - Recruiting Brochure
- Western, Winner, Web Legislative Coverage, LTC Karen McKay, Editor
- Western, 2nd Runner Up, Website, LTC Leonard Baker, Webmaster
* Captain Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret., President of the New River Chapter was honored with an "In the Limelight" biographical sketch in the March 2015 "Affiliate," MOAA's monthly eNewletter.
* Ehrhardt commented, "I was pleased when Kris Hegle, Contributing Editor for "Military Officer" magazine and the "Affiliate" called and asked if I would share my story on membership in MOAA, as well as my Council and Chapter experiences."
* After receiving an e-mail laundry list of topical questions, Kris also held two telephone interviews with Captain Ehrhardt to finalize an article that summarized efforts of his history with MOAA since 2009.
* "I'm grateful that the piece in the eNewsletter also included the names of other Council and Chapter officers with whom I have worked that make my contributions meaningful," Ehrhardt concluded....
* In 2008, Congress passed legislation authorizing the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War; this program runs from 2015 through 2017, with the following objectives:
- To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
- To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces.
- To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
- To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
- To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America is a registered Partner in this program. Accordingly, all sixteen Chapters in the Council are also Partners. During the three-year Program, the Council and Chapters will be conducting multiple events in support of the objectives of the program to meet the minimum requirement of two events per year.
Follow the below link to visit the Vietnam War Commemoration website and learn more about the program as well as information on planned events.
Link: Click here:
* COL-Ret. Fred Black, USA and his wife Sylvia were recently recognized among 12 individuals as 2014 Citizens of the Year by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
* Open the below, downloadable file to read the news announcement.
* Congratulations Fred and Sylvia!
* NCCOC President COL-Ret. Jeri Graham, USA presented award certificates to each of the NCCOC Officers, Board of Directors and Chapter Presidents for their outstanding support to our Council in 2014.
* Pictued (L to R): CDR Jack Overman, COL Ed Baisden, COL Jeri Graham, CAPT David Lee, COL Chris Canipe, Maj Bob Gibbard, Col. Dave Lucas, COL Joe Cansler, COL Matt Segal, CAPT John Stewart, CAPT Hank Wade, Col. Bill Colmer, COL Harley Ellinger, CAPT Marie Senzig, LT Gloria Schaberg, COL Juan Chavez, COL Vern Pike, LCDR Al DelGarbina, Col. Joe Long and COL Bob Garman.
(Left click your cursor over the image to open the photograph and then use the {ctrl} + keys to enlarge the photograph in order to better view the persons shown).
* Once again, the Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) had a very busy year. We welcomed three new members — Pat Farnsworth, Virginia Peninsula Chapter; Gail Joyce, Greater Granbury (Texas) Chapter; and Marie Beima, Venice (Fla.) Area Chapter — to the committee in April.
* Also in April, the AMAC participated in national MOAA’s Storming the Hill event, advocating on issues that affect active duty and retired servicemembers, survivors, and families: 1) military pay increases; 2) TRICARE increases; 3) $1 billion reduction in the subsidy to the commissary; 4) concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation; and 5) the Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (SBP/DIC) offset.
* The AMAC’s focus was research and preparation of The Survivor’s Guide. The guide, a supplement to the Personal Affairs Guide, lists steps a surviving spouse will need to take after the death of a loved one and contains contact numbers and space for dates of contact and notes. When the publication is available in the first quarter of 2015, we encourage everyone to obtain a copy and store it with your completed Personal Affairs Guide.
* The repeal of SBP/DIC offset remains a high priority. The AMAC continued grassroots advocacy through its council and chapter auxiliary liaisons and MOAA’s council and chapter system. We encouraged visits to local congressional offices and emails, letters, and phone calls to garner support for H.R. 32 and S. 734, current bills to repeal the SBP/DIC offset. Currently, H.R. 32 has 238 cosponsors and S. 734 has 39. If you use Facebook, we invite you to join our Facebook page, “The Surviving Spouses of MOAA,” another tool we used to advance awareness and seek support to repeal the injustice to surviving military spouses.
* We received seven outstanding nominations for the Auxiliary Liaison Level of Excellence Award. Eleanor Layman from Fort Meade (Md.) Chapter was this year’s awardee.
* Following four years of service and leadership on the AMAC, Patricia Bergquist moved to the MOAA Ambassador program, the first MOAA auxiliary member to join the program. The committee voted Kathy Prout, chair, and Sharon DeVaney and Gail Joyce, vice cochairs, for 2015.
* Proudly displayed on several Internet news sites (CNN, FoxNews, and others), click on the below link to a promotional MOAA advertisement/invitation to join the ranks of MOAA's 380,000 plus members and learn why "membership matters!"
* This latest effort to boost recruitment in MOAA points out that Basic Membership is not only free, but it is essential to the ongoing fight for military benefits.
* There is also a link to "Voices for America's Troops" to inform non-commissioned veterans, or for that matter anyone who wants to support the troops, how to become members.
- Chapters are encouraged to share this posting on their own websites and in newsletters.
Link: Click here:
Here is the latest version of the newly minted North Carolina Council of Chapters "Recruiting and Retention" logo that was created by President Jeri Graham and is being considered for the creation of a line of products to assist our North Carolina Chapters in our commitment to MOAA R&R.
* MOAA recently announced it's 4- and 5-Star winners in the annual Levels of Excellence award competition that recognizes top notch council and chapters.
* The very best councils and chapters receive five-star awards, and above-average councils and chapters receive four-star awards.
* Follow the below link to open the list of winning councils and chapters on MOAA's website.:
Charlotte-Metrolina Chapter - 5 Stars
High Country Chapter - 5 Stars
New River Chapter - 5 Stars
Cape Fear Chapter - 4 Stars
Catawba Valley Chapter - 4 Stars
Coastal Carolina Chapter - 4 Stars
Sandhills Chapter - 4 Stars
KUDOS TO EVERYONE!
NC Chapter Presidents who will receive their LOE streamers at the MOAA's annual meeting in Arlington, VA in October are shown (pictured L to R) at the recently concluded 3rd Quarterly Council meeting in Salisbury, NC.
Marie Senzig - NC02, Coastal Carolina
Harley Ellinger - NC04, Charlotte Metrolina
Joe Cansler - NC11, Catawba Valley
George Brudzinski - NC21l, High Country
Juan Chavez, NC01, Cape Fear
Doug Ehrhardt - NC22, New River
Gary Marlar - NC06, Sandhills
President Jeri Graham - NC Council
Link: Click here:
MOAA conducted a survey of 12,000 members to determine the level of satisfaction with their health care and to analyze if there were any problems similar to recent issues with the VA...the survey results can be reviewed by clicking the below link
Link: Click here:
* North Carolina Council of Chapters members who use Chrome as their default web browser may be frustrated when the RSS link on the News and Events page doesn't yield the intended results.
* Click on the below link for a "fix" which our web host, Ric Kolseth has recommended to enable you to fully utilize the RSS link.
Link: Click here:
* As members of our state council - the North Carolina Council of Chapters - many, if not most, will have, or have already received an e-mail that is part of the News Exchange Alerts sent to the national MOAA membership roster (if you have signed up for same).
* The below link can be followed to open/read the annual letter from VADM Norb Ryan, President, MOAA which contains a wealth of information on the work done by our Association in the last year. It is a worthwhile read for all!!
Link: Click here:
* The High Country Chapter, MOAA hosted their 8th Memorial Day Celebration at the Boone Mall in Boone, NC on Monday, May 26th.
* Click on the below YouTube video from the local television's Good Times, Good People broadcast which featured President George Brudzinski detailing the event that began @ 11:00.
* Also on the program was "Generation Excellent," a group of home schooled students from Ashe County who presented a redux of their wonderful performance on America...
* Thank you High Country for this wonderful tribute to all our North Carolina veterans.
Remarks by Naval Adm. William H. McRaven, ninth commander of U.S.Special Operations Command at the 2014 Graduation Ceremony, University of Texas, Austin. (This YouTube link was shared by a fellow veteran and is 19:25 minutes you'll be glad that you have invested out of your day.)
* The North Carolina delegation was involved with "Storming the Hill" on April 9, 2014 as part of the annual MOAA effort to bring representatives from all 410 chapters across the US to meet with their respective legislative delegations and spread the word regarding recommended ways for Congress to not consider correcting the country's financial woes on the backs of the military - active, retired, Guard and Reserve as well as the surviving spouses of military service personnel.
* Top photo - COL Jeri Graham, President of the North Carolina Council of Chapters headed team North Carolina. Pictured above are (L to R): COL-Ret. Ed Baisden, COL-Ret. Jeri Graham, NC Senator Kay Hagan and MOAA Board Member COL Mike Rogers, USA.
* Bottom photo - NC Senator Richard Burr, COL Baisden, COL Graham and COL Rogers on the Capital steps.
Click on the thumbnail photographs to the right to see additional pictures from the day-long session on the Hill:
- Congressman Howard Coble, NC 6th District with COL Graham.
- Team North Carolina: COL Rogers, Congressman Coble, COL Graham and COL Baisden.
- COL Rogers, COL Baisden, Congressman Patrick McHenry, NC 10th District and COL Graham.
- COL Rogers, Congressman Mike McIntyre, NC 7th District, COL Graham and COL Baisen.
- COL Graham receiving a rewards check from COL-Ret. John Cully, MOAA Travel Representative for the NC Council "Convention at Sea" in 2013.
NOTE: When viewing thumbnails, use your mouse to left click on the (F)ast, (M)edium or (S)low controller found in the upper right corner of any image displayed...doing so will run a slide show of all the images at the rate of speed selected. Enjoy!
* NC Council President Jeri Graham received news and awards for nine of the state council efforts in the 2014 Col Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards contest while she was in DC representing our state as part of MOAA's "Storming the Hill."
* Awards received were as follows:
- Council Print Newsletter, 2nd Runner Up: "Council Comments" (Bill and Dee Culler, Co-editors)
- Council Electronic Newsletter, Winner: NCCOC "Council Connections" (Doug Ehrhardt, Editor)
- Council Website, 1st Runner Up: NCCOC (Doug Ehrhardt, Website manager)
- Chapters - Category 3
- Electronic Newsletter, Winner: Cape Fear "Gram of Info" (Juan Chavez, Editor)
- Website, Winner: Cape Fear (Juan Chavez, President)
- Website, 2nd Runner Up: Sandhills (Mary Schneider, Website manager)
- Chapters - Category V
- Print Newsletter, 2nd Runner Up: New River "New River Current" (Ken Lynn, Editor)
- Electronic Newsletter, Winner: New River "Current Happenings" (Doug Ehrhardt, Editor)
- Website, 2nd Runner Up: (Doug Ehrhardt, President and Website manager)
KUDOS to all the Council participants and award recipients...BRAVO ZULU!
* By authorization of the Governor, the Honorable Pat McCrory, the Director of the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, Ilario G. Pantano has sent a letter dated February 28, 2014 to All Parties seeking to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.
* At no cost, organizations like small businesses, county or city offices, Veteran services, schools, museums, libraries, nursing homes, and of course Posts or Chapters of the VFW, VVA, DAV and the American Legion, etc. can participate and receive the commemorative materials.
* The below downloadable file is the letter from Mr. Pantano.
* The below link is to the website that has all the information on how to become a Commemorative Partner.
Link: Click here:
295,000 messages sent to Capitol Hill by MOAA members...the result? Congress was forced to listen.
Link: Take action...subscribe to MOAA's Legislative Alerts here...
* The below link is a message posted on the MOAA website on February 20, 2014 that explains that efforts by the Association to repeal the COLA increase is just the beginning.
* Take steps now to work with MOAA and help prevent further cuts to military benefits for all service personnel.
Link: Click here:
* The attached link opens a post on the MOAA website by Lt Col Shane Ostrom, USAF (Ret.) and Deputy Director, Transition Center for MOAA. It includes a summary of some of the benefits accrued for the military since 2001.
* As we embark on another year of program efforts in our North Carolina Council of Chapters, lets do all we can to encourage other eligible persons to not only join a state Chapter, but to help increase the One Powerful Voice® that is the imprimatur of MOAA.
Link: Click here:
* It appears that the lobbying efforts by MOAA, supported by the 100's and 1,000's of e-mails sent in by members who receive the Legislative Alerts from MOAA, will soon be able to count the repeal of the 1% COLA hit that the Congress had proposed on the military.
* Open the below link, "Why Associations Matter", to read of other successes that MOAA has won on behalf of servicepersonnel - active, retired, former, Guard, Reserve and survivors of prior military personnel.
* THANK YOU, MOAA!
Readers are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to log onto the MOAA website and sign up for the Legislative Alerts that get sent to registered e-mail addresses on a regular basis to make you aware of IMPORTANT TOPICS of real consequence to all military personnel.
The reversal of the COLA penalty to the military is just one more example of how your support to MOAA does make a difference!
Link: Link here:
MOAA has announced the winner of the annual essay contest. Sara VanderClute, wife of LTC Burt A. VanderClute USA (Ret.) of the Cape Fear Chapter is the winner and the recipient of a $1,000 prize. Sara's essay, Disabled or Disassembling is on page 66 of the November Military Officer magazine.
Link: Link here to open Sara's Essay in Military Officer Magazine
* In a proposed Military Retirement Restoration Act, which already has 15 co-sponsors, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., says that the $6 billion in COLA cuts could instead by saved by closing loopholes for corporations using offshore tax havens.
* Shaheen stated, "there are plenty of other ways that we can find budgetary savings rather than cutting retirement benefits for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform."
The below link in military.com addresses this controversial subject and reports on the much sought after light at the end of the tunnel.
Link: Click here:
The below information was posted on Military.com on December 18, 2013, byline Bryant Jordan.
(Underline and bold, italicized text added in editing this post for emphasis...)
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bipartisan-crafted budget that eliminates certain sequester cuts to the Pentagon, but also scales back cost of living adjustments starting in 2015 for working age military retirees.
The bill, which passed the House last week, will now go to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.
Backers of the bill say the package worked out between Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., say the deal gives much needed relief to the Defense Department.
The Pentagon faces about $1 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade as part of 2011 deficit-reduction legislation known as the Budget Control Act. That includes almost $500 billion in reductions already planned and another $500 billion in automatic cuts.
Of the $62 billion in sequestration relief in the pact, $44 billion would be applied in 2014 and another $18 billion in 2015, according to a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. That means the Pentagon would receive an additional $22 billion in 2014 and another $9 billion the following year, according to the office.
But a provision will reduce by 1 percent cost of living adjustments to the retirement pay of working age retirees. The reduction has drawn criticism from 30 veterans groups and military associations, as well as members of Congress.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Roger Wicker of Mississippi blasted the military retirement provision.
"We want Congress to pass a budget, address defense sequestration, and restore military readiness, but it is wrong to try to achieve these goals on the backs of our military retirees-who have risked their lives to defend our country and who have already sacrificed so much," the three said in a statement.
MOAA considers the provision a breach of faith to men and women in uniform because it reduces retired pay, survivor benefit values and is an unfair cut in military career benefits, MOAA President Norb Ryan said in a statement.
Under the plan, he said, an E-7 in 2013 with 20 years of service would lose an average $3,700 per year by the age of 62, for a total of about $83,000. An 0-5 would be out more than $6,200 a year for a total, cumulative loss of more than $124,000, he said.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars late Wednesday vowed to continue fighting the plan to trim the retirement.
"We know the federal government needs to curb its spending, balance its budget and put an end to the sequester," VFW National Commander William A. Thien said. "But to penalize military retirees, especially those who have been medically retired as a result of wounds received defending this nation, is totally unacceptable."
Thien said the group will now work with allies in both the House and the Senate to find a solution to overcome what he called "the COLA penalty" and mobilize its membership and supporters to press Congress to support the solutions.
* The new Military Advisor appointed by Governor McCrory is retired MajGen Cornell Wilson, USMC.
* Contact information for the general and his scheduler is as follows:
- MajGen Wilson: cornell.wilson@nc.gov
- Major Bobby Lumsden: bobby.lumsden@nc.gov
- Duty Phone: (919) 814-2014
- Mailing address: 116 W. Jones St., 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
* Governor McCrory's Executive Order committed to protecting military installations in North Carolina was signed on November 22, 2013 and pledges:
- to have the Secretaries of each Cabinet to designate a Military Affairs Awareness Coordinator;
- to cooperate with military installations and missions; and
- to identify issues that could affect the compatibility of development with military installations and operations.
* Open the below downloadable file to read the entire Executive Order.
The MOAA publication referred to in VADM Ryan's opening remarks to the Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO, is made available via the below link.
Open and read this important resource that our national organization - representing retired and former servicepersonnel, currently serving members of the armed forces and the military community at large - has developed to convince our nation's legislators that the 1% of Americans who serve are not the problem when it comes to fixing the deficit spending of our government.
Link: Click here:
News of the passing of LTC Vance, the first president of the North Carolina Council of Chapters (1978-1980), was recently shared with the Council.
Tom was a member of the Western North Carolina Chapter of MOAA. Follow the link below to open the obituary notice published in gainesvilletimes.com on July 10, 2013 regarding LTC Vance.
Link: Click here:
* The High Country Chapter (NC21) held a monthly meeting along with their annual installation of new officers on September 20, 2013 in the Club-Level Suite, Athletic Center Complex on the Appalachian State University campus overlooking the stadium.
* The 2014 slate of officers for the High Country is shown (pictured L to R): COL John Alley, USA, LTC Gunther Doerr, USA, Maj Dinah Pinney, USAF, LTC Dave Garvin, USA, LtCol George Brudzinski, USMC and CAPT Fred Schmitt, USCG.
* NOTE: When viewing thumbnails, use your mouse to left click on the (F)ast, (M)edium or (S)low controller found in the upper right corner of any image displayed...doing so will run a slide show of all the images at the rate of speed selected.
Thumbnail photos (right):
COL Jeri Graham, USA, North Carolina Council of Chapters 1st VP and next President, was the guest speaker for the evening and administered the oath of office to the new officers.
Before the ceremony, Chapter President, LtCol George Brudzinski presented a $500 check to the Watauga High School Principal, Marshall Gasperson (2nd from left), to support their newly established USMC Junior ROTC program. Also pictured (L to R) are Col Dennis Ray, USMC, LtCol Jerry Harper, USMC and LtCol Brudzinski.
President Brudzinski presents a certificate of appreciation to Chapter Secretary, LTC Dave Garvin, USA, for long-standing support to the chapter.
COL Graham presented a certificate and an American flag that was flown over a base in Afghanistan to the Chapter's USMC officers (L to R), Capt Doug May, Col Dennis Ray, LtCol Jerry Harper and LtCol Brudzinski, which was in turn given to LtCol Harper to recognize the collaborative support the High Country Chapter will have with the JROTC program at the Watauga High School.
The 2013 Levels of Excellence awards recognizing MOAA’s topnotch council and chapters in an annual competition were recently announced. The very best councils and chapters receive five-star awards, and above-average councils and chapters receive four-star awards.
The Presidents of the Council and Chapters will receive their LOE streamers at the MOAA's annual meeting in Colorado Springs, CO in November.
Follow the below link to read the posting for our NC recipients:
North Carolina Council - 5 Stars
High Country Chapter - 5 Stars
New River Chapter - 5 Stars
Cape Fear Chapter - 4 Stars
Coastal Carolina Chapter - 4 Stars
Sandhills Chapter - 4 Stars
KUDOS TO EVERYONE!
Joining MOAA can now be done with a simple click of the mouse on a computer when logged in to many internet news pages.
Open the below link to see how easy it is to become a MOAA member...and help spread the word by forwarding the link to eligible serving, retired or surviving spouses of military personnel.
Link: Click here:
An important "REVISION" of the National MOAA publication showcasing member leadership and involvement in important issues that support military and emphasize the benefits of being a part of MOAA includes an article developed from a phone interview with COL-Ret. Fred Black, USA discussing efforts in North Carolina pertinent to Bailey-Patton as well as the continuing efforts to expand coverage to all NC military retirees.
Follow the below link to open/read the "REVISED" presentation in MOAA Connect's "Awe Inspiring Views."
Link: Click here to open:
* The North Carolina Council of Chapters received three awards in the 2012 Col. Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards Contest which is held annually to recognize both MOAA Councils and Chapters that do an outstanding job communicating with their members.
* The New River Chapter (NC-22) also received two awards during the competition in Category V (Chapters with fewer than 120 members).
* The five North Carolina Council of Chapters awards were:
Winner, Council Electronic Newsletters - Council Connections (CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret)
1st Runner Up, Council Print Newsletters - Council Comments (Maj. William Culler, USMC (Ret), and Dee Culler)
1st Runner Up, Council Web site - www.moaa-nc.org (CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret)
Winner, Chapter Electronic Newsletters - Current Happenings (CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret)
1st Runner Up, Chapter Web site - www.newrivermoaa.org (CAPT Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret)
Link: Click here to go to the award list on the MOAA website:
* Click on the below link to open/read about GovX premium lifestyle and outdoor brands buying program. MOAA members can qualify for discounts via the program.
* It's quick, easy, and an exclusive service for MOAA members to receive 20-50% savings on a variety of products, from premium watches and sunglasses to hunting gear, golf equipment, and popular outdoor and lifestyle brands and even tactical gear.
* Simply click on the link below to visit MOAA.org/GovX and be sure you are logged into MOAA.
Who qualifies?
MOAA members all receive special access. GovX is not available to the public — only MOAA members and other military and government verified employees. It’s a place to exercise a privilege not extended to others in the marketplace.
How do I access these discounts?
Open the MOAA website and sign in with your MOAA name and password, and you’ll be able to easily access GovX.com.
Added MOAA benefit:
10% OFF your first order…In addition to their everyday deep discounts, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your first order. The GovX customer service team will answer whatever questions you might have about any GovX products; just call their toll-free number (888) 468-5511.
Link: Click here:
* The New River Chapter's 1st VP, COL-Ret. Charles Knapp, MC, USA, was recently honored with attendance at the Oscar Ceremony in Beverly Hills, CA for his role as a consultant on an upcoming film about Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to be honored with America's highest military award for valor above and beyond the call of duty in the face of enemy fire.
* Congratulations, COL Knapp for this special recognition and for your work in telling Doss' story!
The below downloadable file contains information regarding the Representatives of the 113th Congressional Districts and corresponding North Carolina's MOAA Chapter alignments.
* Col-Ret. Donald Wood, USMC served as President, NC State Council, MOAA from 2004-2006.
* Funeral arrangements were handled by the Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville, NC.
* A memorial service and burial was held on Wednesday, November 21st at the Chapel at the Coastal Carolina Veterans' State Cemetery that is adjacent to Camp Johnson, Camp Lejeune.
