Presidents Message

Presidents message – 29-Jan-2025.

President’s Message

  1. I felt that sense we are beginning a new Calendar Year that we should start off with some of BC-MOAA’s accomplishments which include our BC-MOAA Community Outreach Programs 2024.
    These Outreach Programs were made possible because of our Members generous contributions, Our Boards Support and the Leadership of Jerry Morrison.1. MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant
  • a. MOAA Has approximately 450 Chapters 50 State Councils that can compete for the MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant
  • b. In Alabama MOAA has 13 Chapters and 1 Council
  • c. Only One Chapter in Alabama was awarded the foundation Grant
  • d. That was us, Baldwin County MOAA.
  • e. The Grant amount to BC-MOAA was $1000.00.
  • f. The funds were used to support U.S. Armed Forces Honor Guard of Baldwin County
    • i. Providing 1000 Color Tri-Fold Awareness and Informational Brochures
    • ii. 1000 Color Informational Rack Cards for Funeral Homes and Cemeteries
    • iii. With additional funds from BC-MOAA ($145) we were able to get and additional 1000 Tri-Fold Brochures
  • g. Special Note: In memory of Chuck Dumas, Frank Connell and Jack Gifford who were three of the original nine veterans to organize the honor Guard and were also three of the original Charter Members to organize the BC-MOAA.

2. MOAA Community Program and Events Funding

    • a. National MOAA will support Chapters $300.00 per year for Community Focused Programs and Events
    • b. BC-MOAA completed the documentation and applied for the funding for the purchase of MOAA “Challenge Coins” for the 9/11 Ceremony and Stair-Climb event in Gulf Shores
    • c. National MOAA approved out $300.00 request
    • d. Through the generous personal monetary contribution by members of BC-MOAA, the Chapter was able to purchase and present over 60 MOAA Challenge coins to uniformed Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders
    • e. In addition, BC-MOAA has been able to present Challenge Coins to Congressional Officials, City Officials from Gulf Shores, Foley and other individuals
    • f. Because of your generosity, we still have the awarded $300.00 and it has been deposited in our BC-MOAA checking account for future purchase of Challenge Coins

3. Vietnam War Commemoration Partner Participation

    • a. BC-MOAA became a Vietnam War Commemoration Partner in March 2022
    • b. Since then, we have presented hundreds of Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins
    • c. Multiple Surviving Spouse Vietnam Veteran Certificates of Honor and Lapel Pins
    • d. Eight (8) Gold Star Family Members with Certificates of Honor and Gold Star Lapel Pins
    • e. And One (1) Former Living American Military POW Certificate of Honor and POW Veteran Lapel Pin
    • f. BC-MOAA was recognized in September 2024 as a “TOP PERFORMER” with the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration. BC-MOAA was recognized in the TOP 15% out of 13,000 Vietnam War Commemoration Partners in the US
    • g. The program was scheduled to end on November 11, 2025. However, the current administration cancelled the program early. So, because of this, we are planning on ordering an additional 250 Lapel Pins on January 2, 2025

4. Presentation to Colonel Keith Lewis – Vietnam War POW

    • a. BC-MOAA Board was planning on presenting Colonel Lewis in person with his POW Veteran Medal and Certificate of Honor, however, due to his health and other circumstances, we will have to mail the Vietnam War Commemoration to him.

5. The members of this Chapter should give yourselves a round of applause for these accomplishments and a special thanks to Jerry Morrison.