chaptersinaction Chapter Achievements

From the Field: Luke (Ariz.) Chapter Members of the Luke Chapter (www .lukemoaa.org) awarded $21,800 in scholarships to 11 area high school seniors and one college student. The amount of the scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $2,400. This year’s recipients were Fallon Bowes, Mariah Garcia, Brendaya Grigsby, Jazmine Mendoza, Jose Moreno, Quynh-Patty Nguyen, Thomas Peterson, Brynn Rapp, Guadalupe Rivera, Cesar Torres, Megan Villandre, and Leslie Villasenor. Contributions from members and businesses fuel the fund, says

chapter scholarship chair and for- mer Navy CW3 Donald Fordney. To increase donations, the scholarship fund now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Hawaii Aloha Chapter Each year, members of Hawaii Aloha Chapter (www.moaa-hawaii.org) sponsor a barbecue for veterans who graduate from the Post Trau- matic Stress Disorder Recovery Rehabilitation Program at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. Chapter members recently hosted their largest barbecue yet, with 40 veterans attending. Those in atten- dance included Rep. Mark Takai (D- Hawaii) and Oahu Veterans Council President Col. Ed Cruickshank, USA (Ret), who are both members of the chapter. “Veterans going through this

program have taken a giant step to try to overcome a major problem in their lives,” said chapter Board Chair Capt. George Sullivan, USN (Ret). “They are looking for the en- couragement of other veterans, and we bring that.”

Southern Nevada Chapter Members of the Southern Nevada Chapter (www.moaa-lasvegas.org) honored the top cadets from two ROTC units and 21 Junior ROTC (JROTC) programs during the chap- ter’s annual awards banquet. The event drew members, cadets and their parents, and ROTC and JROTC instructors. Both ROTC cadets re- ceived $1,000 scholarships, and 21 JROTC cadets each received $150. “The members of our chapter en-

courage the JROTC cadets to continue their military education, and we ex- pose the ROTC cadets to MOAA and let them know, once commissioned, they don’t have to be a retired officer to join,” says chapter ROTC Liaison Col. Jerry Harmon, USAF (Ret).

Central Texas Chapter Recruiting new members just got easier for leaders of the Central Texas Chapter (www.centexmoaa.org) in Killeen. An anonymous member do- nated one year’s worth of billboard space, which features MOAA’s new logo, the chapter’s Web address, and an invitation to join the Central Texas Chapter. Each day, thousands of mo- torists see the billboard, which is lo- cated along U.S. Highway 190. According to chapter President Capt. Richard Archer, USA (Ret), members support Crime Stoppers and the state veterans’ cemetery in Killeen, provide scholarships to JROTC and ROTC cadets, and participate in patri- otic programs at area schools.

MO

(from top) Southern Nevada Chapter President Col. Charles Miyashiro, USA (Ret), left, presents $150 to Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Gregory Conklin. A new billboard is increasing awareness of the Central Texas Chapter.

44 MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2016

— Contributors are Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, Council and Chapter Affairs; Col. Brian Anderson, USAF (Ret), deputy director; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 6.