MOAA JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA IN CALL TO SERVICE FOR SUMMER PROJECTS

Dear Council and Chapter Presidents,

As we pause to celebrate the independence of our nation this weekend, I would like to take a moment to let you know about an initiative called United We Serve, just launched here in Washington, and how you can help support it over the summer months.

The MOAA press release below tells you more about MOAA’s role in this effort launched by the White House on Jun 22, 2009, including statements by our president retired Navy VADM Norb Ryan, Jr.

The effort runs from June 22 to September 11, 2009 and for MOAA the focus is on supporting military families. We recognize that a number of our chapters do not meet in the summer months but we are providing this to you for information and for any support you are able to provide. We are also aware of the many activities our chapters already do that are very much in the spirit and intent of this effort. We plan to update the White House on these significant contributions. If you develop new efforts in support of this project, let us know about the outcome.

Have a great July 4 and thank you for all you do for your councils and chapters!

Lee F. Lange II

Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)

Director, Council and Chapter Affairs

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

201 N. Washington St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-2539

(800) 234-6622 x108; (703) 838-8108; FAX (703) 838-8179 leel@moaa.org

MOAA JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA IN CALL TO SERVICE FOR SUMMER PROJECTS

Alexandria, VA Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is taking part in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

MOAA is the nation’s largest veterans association for active duty, National Guard, Reserve, former, and retired officers and their surviving spouses. MOAA has more than 370,000 members and 410 chapters across the country.

MOAA is asking its members, and especially chapter members, to both continue their extensive involvement with local communities and to seek out ways to encourage volunteering for current and future projects, especially in projects that help military families.

Current MOAA member projects include volunteering at hospitals and schools, promoting scholarships for deserving high school Junior ROTC students, being active in individual church activities, to serving on local boards and committees.

Several MOAA chapters are currently working with wounded warriors, supporting families of currently serving servicemembers, and other veterans programs.

According to MOAA’s president, retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, Jr., “in MOAA’s 80 years of existence, we have had a long track record of volunteering and helping. By nature, military people are ‘servant leaders’ in that they help those around them. We look forward to participating in United We Serve and thank the President for making this call to service a main focus. We especially want to help military families, because they are sacrificing a lot while their spouses and other relatives serve our nation.”

United We Serve kicked off on June 22 and runs through September 11, 2009, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance. The initiative focuses on four key areas: education, health, energy and the environment; and community renewal. It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities though volunteering and service.

“This summer, I’m calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation,” said President Obama. “Economic recovery is as much about what you’re doing in your communities as what we’re doing in Washington – and it’s going to take all of us, working together.”

To make it easy for individuals to get involved, see http://www.serve.gov/, a website that allows visitors to type in their zip code to find local volunteer opportunities, recruit volunteers by posting their organization’s projects, or get ideas for creating their own projects with friends, families, and neighbors.

The Department of Defense Community Relations site http://www.ourmilitary.mil will help MOAA members find organizations that support military families (Support the Troops on the right hand panel).

“Our MOAA members are a great bunch of people who do a lot for their communities, whether they are serving in the military now or have served in the past. They have a lot of talent, and we look forward to seeing what can be accomplished under the President’s initiative,” Adm. Ryan said. “Everyone has something to give, and we hope that their efforts will continue with volunteering throughout the year.”

Source: MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs

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