chaptersinaction Added Strength

Many surviving spouses hold leadership positions in councils and chapters. They also serve as information resources for chapter members and their spouses and other surviving spouses.

J

ennifer Carazo knew the risks her husband faced dur- ing a deployment, and on July

22, 2010, tragedy struck. Her hus- band, Lt. Col. Mario Carazo, USMC, was killed while flying a combat mission over Afghanistan. It was his seventh deployment. Carazo, now a single mother of two,

says she received overwhelming sup- port following the death of her hus- band. Much of that support has come from members of the Miramar (Calif.) Chapter (www.moaa.org/chapter/ miramar). After joining the chapter, Carazo became the surviving spouse liaison and now serves on the chap- ter’s board of directors. As part of her duties, she shares information from national MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee (SSAC). She also writes items for the chapter’s newslet- ter, recruits new members, and enlists members’ support for projects that help surviving spouses and children. “My husband took real good

care of his [Marines],” Carazo says. “Now, I feel I’ve assumed that mis- sion for him.” Last year, the San Diego County

Board of Supervisors recognized on Gold Star Wives of America Day Carazo’s work to support surviving military spouses. Carazo also is a spokesperson for Operation Bigs, a program run by Big Brothers Big Sis-

44 MILITARY OFFICER OCTOBER 2015

ters of America that provides one-on- one mentoring to military children. “Joining the chapter fueled me to

get involved and support other sur- viving spouses,” Carazo says. “The members have been so supportive, and they’ve empowered me and given me confidence and a new purpose.”

Still contributing In 2012, MOAA members voted to give surviving spouse members voting rights. Surviving spouse Joyce Harte, president and auxiliary liaison of the Bradenton (Fla.) Chapter, also joined the national board of directors.

“

they’ve empowered me and given me confidence and a new purpose.

have been so supportive, and

— Jennifer Carazo, Miramar (Calif.) Chapter surviving spouse liaison

”

The change reflected surviving spouses’ value to MOAA, with an in- creasing number of survivors filling key leadership positions in councils and chapters. For the past 13 years, Carol Loggins has been secretary of the Southern Oklahoma Chapter

The members

On the road: This month, Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, MOAA Council and Chapter Af- fairs, will visit chapter members in Georgia. See MOAA Calendar, page 80, for details.

(www.moaa.org/chapter/southern oklahoma). She also is the chapter’s surviving spouse liaison. Loggins, whose husband passed away 25 years ago, says the chapter helps her maintain ties to the military and stay abreast of changes that affect her mil- itary benefits. In fact, rarely a meeting goes by without Loggins distributing handouts on surviving spouse issues or proposed benefit changes. She also sends members cards or calls them. Patricia Bergquist is the surviving spouse liaison, community outreach chair, and a board member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter (www .mtcmoaa.org). She also is the surviv- ing spouse liaison and secretary for the Tennessee Council of Chapters. Bergquist shares legislative in- formation on survivor issues with council and chapter members and, whenever she’s asked to speak at chapter meetings across the state, urges members and their spouses to complete MOAA’s Help Your Survivors — Now guide. With her vast knowledge of surviving spouse issues, she is a valuable resource in the community. Last year, she became a MOAA ambassador and now represents the association and develops recruiting strategies for special events such as the National Guard Association of the United States National Conference.