FAITH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

CDR Jerry Loeb, USN (RET), a Southern California member who has been working hard to assist widows with SBP/CIC problems often signs off his e-mails with, “Keep the faith!”

Well, what does he have in mind? The dictionary definition is, “a confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing…allegiance: keeping faith with one’s supporters.”

CDR John Sammons, USPHS (RET) has been known to say, “We meet, talk, drink, eat, discuss and then leave patting ourselves on the back that we do great things for our constituency.”

As for the chapters, he says there is a much greater need out there than just being a social organization. “Some cannot grasp that they should do anything that will cost the chapter money or require any of their time,” he said recently.

Perhaps by purchasing a membership in MOAA National and/or a local chapter and by affiliating the chapter with CAL-MOAA there is a demonstration of faith.

Do we really have faith or are we a bunch of hypocrites? The definition for that is “the feigning of beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess…insincerity.

What is faith? Real faith?
–It’s not just something you say…what good is it to claim to have faith and yet don’t do anything? Talk is cheap.
–It’s not just something you feel…you might wish a hungry person well, but it doesn’t do him any real good unless you feed him, do something positive, take action.
–It’s not just something you think…some kind of philosophical quest…you show your faith by what you do.
–It’s not just something you believe…head knowledge…understanding the concept…you can’t improve muscle tone simply by reading a physical fitness book…you have to do something.

Real faith is something you live. It’s active vs passive. You have to get up off the dime and get a little action going…make progress….make a contribution…be a part of the total effort.

When we toss a pebble into a pond we get ripples. When we act we get ripple effects, sometimes creating a synergy, a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Faith can move mountains!

Chapter members, particularly the new generation younger officers, are asking their chapter leaders to initiate something for the military community, not just hold luncheon and dinner events.

CDR Jerry Loeb, USN (RET) is an officer keeping the faith. He has a giant mouth, but he backs his statements with action. To date he has saved thousands of dollars for widows who couldn’t make their way through the various claims processes.

CDR John Sammons is an officer keeping the faith. He has a giant mouth, but he backs his statements with actions. He has taken on the Council’s Secretary position, a big job. And he is working hard to create and save local MOAA chapters.

One chapter has a contest underway asking members to write a couple paragraphs on “Why I joined MOAA.” So far there has been only one entry. Wouldn’t it be something if members wrote that they joined for the social aspects but also to keep the faith…to leave the couch and do something for the military community?

Jerry Loeb’s admonition is a great one, “Keep the Faith!”

And John Sammons statements have a ring of truth. We’ve got to stop talking and start acting. Actions speak louder than words.

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