MAJOR COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS DECISION

Larry J. Reeves, a corporate CEO, has been active over the years developing and conducting a number of major events in support of the local military community. For example, very soon he will help implement a Marine Corps golf tournament in the Monterey Bay Area designed to raise funds for a variety of worthy purposes.

Within the last year CDR John Sammons, USPHS, and Council vice president, at the time working with other Marin County Chapter members, planned and conducted a huge welcome home ceremony and party for a military intelligence (MI) battalion arriving from overseas. It included much fanfare and publicity, steak dinners at Outback Steakhouse, and highly discounted hotel rooms for the troops and families, and it proved to be a well-received and greatly appreciated event.

Chapters all over the state are involved from time to time with special military community service/support events, with some of the best known support for the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs and local veterans hospitals. But support is provided not only groups but individuals as well, and often with very favorable outcomes.

One night, at 11:30pm, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached and it read, “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.”

Late in the Council of Presidents meeting on Thursday, 26 October, the presidents will be asked to determine the kinds of support CAL-MOAA should and must provide individual chapters as they move to undertake some kind of military community support project. The decision will include not only the what and how, but the nature and scope of resources to be provided by affiliated chapters.

Chapter presidents are urged to come prepared for this discussion and ready to present descriptions of the kinds of support provided in the past, and with emphasis on best practices.

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