Purpose:

"The purposes of the Chapter shall be to promote the purposes and objectives of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); foster fraternal relations among retired, active duty, and former officers of the uniformed services and their reserve components; protect the rights and interests of active duty, retired, and reserve component personnel of the uniformed services and their dependents and survivors; provide useful services for members and their dependents and survivors; and serve the community and the nation." Bylaws Art II, Sect 1: Nov 20, 2021

The chapter meets quarterly for lunch and an informational program. We also supported local veterans in several ways that provide hands-on opportunities for participants. We continue to support these programs, with appropriate modifications, and invite you to "check out" the updates in the articles following this one.

The programs we support include preparing and serving meals at the Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ), a shelter for homeless veterans and providing volunteer support to veterans at the Asheville VA Hospital. Additionally, we are a strong supporter of Honor Flight, which transports veterans to our Nation's Capital to see the monuments honoring their service, and the We Honor Veterans program, conducting veterans‘ pinning ceremonies at the local Hospice facility. We also support 18 high school Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs throughout our area. Please look at the following pages to learn how we can "never stop serving" even in these difficult times.

Our leadership is in-step with community guidelines for the safety of our membership and the veterans and others we support. We are constantly evaluating which activities can safely be re-started.

Our chapter has two satellite organizations, one the Smoky Mountains Satellite in Waynesville and the other the Woodfin Satellite in the Weaverville area. Chapter members often choose to attend satellite events instead of coming to the General membership meetings in Hendersonville, which can be a long drive for some.

We are also proud of our efforts to support the Legislative Affairs program of national MOAA. We provide our legislators with MOAA‘s top issues to assist them in preparing to vote on national defense legislation. WNC-MOAA, like National MOAA, is a totally non-partisan organization; our only interest is in supporting active duty members, veterans and their families.

We are a five-time recipient of MOAA‘s 5-Star Level of Excellence streamer recognizing our long time commitment to the goals and ideals of national MOAA.

Since November 2014, WNC MOAA, in partnership with Four Seasons Hospice, has honored over 1000 veterans with special pinning ceremonies to salute veterans in hospice care and thank them for their service. To learn more and get involved, contact John Knapp, 828-702-3317 or email.

Meal Prep Teams provided by WNC MOAA have been slicing, dicing, and serving lunch to homeless veterans the fourth Wednesday of each month for well over five years. With strict precautions and protocols in place, prep/serve teams are continuing this service. Teams are limited to 5 or less. Volunteers are screened with a questionnaire and touchless thermometer. All volunteers are required to wear a face mask and gloves while working in the kitchen and to practice social distancing – being mindful of personal space and refraining from physical touch including handshakes, fist bumps, etc. For more information about volunteering or making donations, contact Jeff Snyder, 828-684-2359 or email.

Blue Ridge Honor Flight transports American veterans to Washington, DC 2-3 times each year to “visit memorials dedicated honor their service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.” Although all flights scheduled for 2020 have been suspended, there are opportunities to donate, as well as learn more about applying as an honoree, guardian, or volunteer. For more information, contact Rick Devereaux, 828-772-6023 or email.

Active in 17 high schools throughout WNC, JROTC is supported by WNC MOAA with annual MOAA Leadership awards for rising Seniors. When group gatherings can resume, volunteers will be needed to present the awards. Until then, stand-by-to-stand-by. For more information, contact Jeff Snyder, 828-684-2359 or email.

On Friday, November 20th, the Eastern Carolina University Community Service Learning Center Dental School in Sylva will be conducting the “Smiles for Vets” dental day. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, up to 30 vets will be seen vs. the normal 40. Present to receive and help process participating veterans, in accordance with COVID restrictions, will be members from WNC MOAA, our Smoky Mountain Satellite (SMS MOAA), the Smoky Mountain Outreach Foundation (SMOF) and NC Serves. Donations of money, food for breakfast and lunch for the day, water bottles, soft drinks (regular and diet) are welcome. For more information, contact David McCracken, 828-550-5980 or email.

A SMOF pilot initiative started two years ago, VET SMILES has proven to be effective in helping veterans who do not qualify for dental care with the VA find a dental home. As a result, a new 501 (c) (3) foundation is in the planning stages to take VET SMILES statewide. Stay tuned for further developments.

1. Make yourself heard. MOAA’s chapters provide critical grassroots support for MOAA’s national legislative agenda. Our benefits are under attack, and MOAA is in the fight to preserve them. Chapter members let their legislators know what’s on their minds and open doors for MOAA’s legislative team in Washington, D.C. In these difficult times, MOAA members need to stick together, and our chapters are the best way we know to do that.

2. Give back to the community. Chapter members are MOAA’s ambassadors in their communities, supporting countless programs that make a difference in the lives of others. These members continue their “officership” service and are giving back in the truest sense.

3. Value added to chapter members’ lives. MOAA chapters sponsor interesting programs and opportunities to interact with civic, political, military, and business leaders on issues important to members.

4. Networking with fellow officers. Chapters include second-career members in the work force and retired servicemembers who have contacts in their communities that can be valuable to transitioning officers.

5. Stay informed. Chapter newsletters, websites, and meetings provide you with the latest information on local, state, and national issues and changes to military benefits.

6. Influencing state legislation. Most states have a council of chapters that unites chapters in the state. These councils, and independent chapters in states without a council, often lobby for and pass state-level legislation that affects military members and their families, such as exempting military retired pay from state income tax or increasing funding for state veterans programs.

7. Camaraderie with a purpose. MOAA chapters unite active duty, former, and retired officers from every branch of service, including National Guard and Reserve, as well as surviving spouses. These centers of camaraderie not only give you a chance to connect with other members with similar backgrounds and interest, but to also develop close and lasting friendships.

Who can join? Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Retired or Former officers or surviving spouses from the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Public Health Service, and the NOAA Commissioned Corps).

The easiest and fastest way to join/renew your membership is online. You may accomplish this a couple of ways, using the options listed below:

- A downloadable form specifically for WNC-MOAA that you can fill out on your computer and email or mail with your check can be found HERE.

With a Credit Card

- A "Join/Renew Your Local Chapter" page is located on the MOAA site HERE.

You will initially be asked three questions, each with a dropdown selection menu.

1. Do you want to join or renew Select Renew

2. State: Select - North Carolina

3. Chapter: Select - Western North Carolina Chapter, MOAA

Then click on NEXT and continue to follow the instructions.

You will be asked to fill out your personal contact and military info on this page (don’t forget to have your National MOAA membership number handy)

You will be asked if you want to renew for 1, 2, or 3 years.

You will be asked for your payment credit card or PayPal information.

You will receive a confirmation of payment from MOAA via email.