chaptersinaction Family Affair

MOAA chapters provide members with more than camaraderie with a purpose. They also provide an outlet to assist and support servicemembers and their families and surviving spouses.

A

s many MOAA members fight winter storms, others continue to keep the heat and

pressure on their elected officials at both the state and national levels. This is a worthy endeavor we at MOAA strongly encourage. With less than 20 percent of our elected officials having served in the military, it is to every- one’s benefit to continue to engage and educate members of Congress and our communities on what is required of our military to serve our country in today’s environment. We need you to stay engaged and informed on today’s issues. The best way to do that is by signing up for MOAA’s Legislative Update (visit www.moaa.org/email). These weekly electronic alerts are timely and fo- cused. MOAA’s Government Relations Department also provides informa- tion and fact sheets* on key issues. Many of our state councils and local chapters will address issues affecting local residents and our members. Most council and chapter legislative chairs routinely write col- umns about issues at both the state and national levels that appear in

On the road: This month, Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, MOAA Coun- cil and Chapter Affairs, will visit chapter members in Arkansas and Tennessee. See MOAA Calendar, page 72, for dates.

their affiliates’ monthly e-newslet- ters and print publications. These efforts help us bridge the

gap between the military and civilian communities. Our chapter members, some of the association’s greatest ambassadors, are often leading the charge in their communities. They can use our assistance to ensure our One Powerful Voice® is heard. If you want to help — and in

today’s environment we need ev- eryone to stay engaged — here are a few things to consider that might contribute to a successful discus- sion with a friend or acquaintance about military service. Keep your conversation or written commu- nication friendly and professional. This will enhance your ability to be heard by your audience. Do not insult or slander the other person’s position; stick to the topic and try not to make it personal. Often, in the heat of the moment, these concepts are not easy to follow, but in trying to be heard and educate our fellow citizens, it is important that we try to stay focused and logical. With less that 1 percent of Ameri- cans serving, many misconceptions about military service exist. We need to stay engaged to educate our fellow citizens and Congress about what we have asked of our veterans and our currently serving troops.

In our main article, “Continuing to

Serve,” we highlight a few chapter and councils that are making a difference in their communities. I hope to see you at a chapter meet- ing and look forward to working with you to ensure our voices are heard. — Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret) Director, Council and Chapter Affairs

Continuing to Serve

Chapter members meet needs in their communities.

F

ormer Army Capt. Greg Youngman spent 12 years on active duty before he separated

from the service and entered the field of education. Youngman retired three years ago but couldn’t shake the feel- ing he still had something to offer. “I discovered once you retire, that’s

kind of it,” he says. “People expect you to play golf and not do much else.” A newspaper notice enticed him to attend a meeting of MOAA’s Grand Strand Chapter (www.grandstrand moaa.com) in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He joined and now serves as president. Although Youngman and his wife,

Judith, are longtime residents, they didn’t know about the challenges local

*online: Find fact sheets and information on MOAA’s legislative goals at www.moaa.org/action. 40 MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2015

PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN