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  WNC-MOAA : Western North Carolina Chapter MOAA About Us : WNC-MOAA

 

About An overview of the organization.

More About WNC-MOAA

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 Article II, Section 1: November 20, 2021

Chapter Activities

The chapter meets quarterly for lunch and an informational program. We actively support local veterans through various hands-on programs and continue to adapt these initiatives to current circumstances. Here are some of the programs we proudly support:

  • Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ): Preparing and serving meals at a shelter for homeless veterans.
  • Asheville VA Hospital: Providing volunteer support for veterans receiving care.
  • Honor Flight: Transporting veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit monuments honoring their service.
  • We Honor Veterans Program: Conducting veterans' pinning ceremonies at the local Hospice facility.
  • JROTC Support: Supporting 18 high school Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs in the region.

  • Engaging Social Activities: Our chapter members enjoy a variety of fun, community-building activities including thrilling white-water rafting trips, scenic train rides through beautiful landscapes, outings to local minor league baseball games, and tours of local gems like chocolate factories, wineries, and more.

Please explore our website to learn how we continue to "Never Stop Serving," even during challenging times.

Safety and Leadership

Our leadership is committed to following community guidelines to ensure the safety of our members and the veterans we support. We continuously evaluate which activities can safely be resumed.

Satellite Organizations

The chapter has two satellite groups:

  • Smoky Mountains Satellite: Located in Waynesville.
  • Woodfin Satellite: Located in the Weaverville area.

These satellite organizations provide members with alternative meeting locations, especially for those who may find the General Membership meetings in Hendersonville to be a long commute.

Legislative Affairs

We actively support MOAA’s Legislative Affairs program by sharing MOAA’s top issues with legislators to assist them in preparing for votes on national defense legislation. WNC-MOAA, like MOAA National, is a non-partisan organization dedicated solely to supporting active-duty members, veterans, and their families.

Recognition

We are proud to have received MOAA’s 5-Star Level of Excellence streamer multiple times, a testament to our longstanding commitment to the goals and ideals of MOAA National.

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We Honor Veterans

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.

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Veteran's Restoration Quarters (VRQ)

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.

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Blue Ridge Honor Flight

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.

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Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)

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.

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VET SMILES - Smoky Mountains Outreach Foundation

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.

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Joining About joining WNC-MOAA

Why should I join MOAA or WNC-MOAA?

Seven Reasons for Joining National MOAA and your local chapter

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.

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How do I join or renew my Western North Carolina MOAA (WNC-MOAA) membership?

It's Fast and Easy!

The WNC-MOAA (Western North Carolina - Military Officers Association of America) membership is open to:


• Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve officers

• Retired or Former officers

• Surviving spouses of officers


Eligible individuals can come from any of the following uniformed services:


• Army

• Navy

• Marine Corps

• Air Force

• Coast Guard

• Space Force

• Public Health Service

• NOAA Commissioned Corps


To join or renew your WNC-MOAA Chapter dues, use the provided online link: Join or Renew Your WNC-MOAA Chapter Membership. This is the quickest and easiest method.

Join or Renew Chapter Dues
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