Mountain Empire Chapter
affiliate of MOAA
Visit MOAA National for the latest military news and resources for both active duty and retired military officers.
Do you miss the Officers' Club?
We have the next best thing in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Find camaraderie, interact with fellow officers and spouses, meet old friends, make new ones and share stories. We meet socially on a bi-monthly basis, and we welcome you to our next gathering. See below for upcoming events, look through the information on our site, and join us!
COUNCIL NEWS
"SMASHING SUCCESS"
RECEIVED THE BELOW EMAIL FROM TN COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS PRESIDENT PETE WARNER
Dear Chapter Leaders,
Today is one for the history books! Thanks to the efforts of the East TN Rebuild Team and our incredible Senior Director at MOAA (Frank Michael), we installed a new slate of officers (President, 1st VP, Treasurer, Membership Chair, and Secretary) for the long dormant chapter in Knoxville. Additionally, we recruited over fifty members for the newly revitalized chapter!
With the explosive growth in the Knoxville catchment area, I am confident that the East TN Chapter of MOAA will soon become a powerful advocate for veterans and their families in one of the fastest growing areas in the country.
With deepest appreciation and gratitude,
R/Pete
TNCOC-MOAA
On Saturday, 1 March at Faith Lutheran Church in Farragut, TN the East TN Chapter Rebuild Team held a kick-off meeting to revitalize the East TN Chapter of MOAA in the Knoxville area. The postcard campaign and word of mouth attracted approximately 58 members to sign up and express their support for the chapter. Of the 58 potential new members, we were able to nominate 5 board members on the spot and have them officially installed by none other than MOAA's Senior Director of Affiliate Councils and Chapters, Frank Michael, CAPT, USN (Ret)!
Following are the names of the new officers:
President - Doug Goins, LTC, USA (Ret)
First Vice President - Steve Meyers, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Membership Chair - Tom Peck
Treasurer - Eric Nicholls
Secretary - Daniel Steiger
SEE BELOW PHOTO
Members of the rebuild team include:
Peter Warner - TN COC
Sandy Warner - TN COC
Don Thompson - Mountain Empire Chapter
John Rice - Mountain Empire Chapter
Ray Mitchell - Chattanooga Chapter
Scott Hardin - Chattanooga Chapter
Robert Martin - Upper Cumberland Chapter
Nick Marrota - Upper Cumberland Chapter
Doug Goins - East TN Chapter
Steve Meyers - East TN Chapter
Larry Ellis - Stones River Chapter
Mary Boring - Faith Lutheran Church
Patrice Collins - Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
Frank Michael - MOAA ACC
P.S. Photo of rebuild team missing Robert Martin, Nick Marotta, Scott Hardin and Patrice Collins
SEE BELOW PHOTO
CHAPTER NEWS
December 2024 Newsletter
See the latest Chapter Newsletter. Click below or visit The Newsletter page to see previous newsletters.
Lifeline for Vets
Will you help one veteran?
Whether you support veterans with your time or monetary donations every little bit does make a difference. As Mountain Empire Chapter members we continue to serve our local area and now we need to help our local veteran community. During the COVID-19 Pandemic many people are losing their jobs or having their work hours reduced. Our mission is to provide a Lifeline for Vets that need financial assistance with rent, electric bills, groceries or other day to day expenses. This is not a monetary hand out but will be assistance to a specific veteran and their family needs. One source for finding veterans in need is the Mountain Home VA Healthcare System. Other sources will be identified as this fundraising event progresses. Please click on the Donate button below to provide a Lifeline for Vets. You can also contribute by mailing a check to MECMOAA, P.O. Box 5024, Johnson City, TN 37602. Any amount will be appreciated.
March 16, 2025
Member Meeting/Social
Our March meeting/social was held at the Blackthorn Club which provided a special St. Patrick's Day Brunch for the thirty members and guests attending. MECMOAA President Don Thompson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. He provided an update on Chapter business including our scholarship program which involves our members presenting certificates at local high school JROTC programs. Our scholarships awards will be presented at our May meeting to ROTC and JROTC recipients.
Our next meeting/social is on May 18, 2025.
See photos below:
MECMOAA President COL Don Thompson, USAF (Ret.) welcomed members and guest.
LTC Ed Champion, USA (Ret.) MECMOAA ROTC and JROTC Coordinator provides information on the upcoming ROTC and JROTC presentations.
LCDR John Rice, USN (Ret.) Immediate Past President provides information about our ROTC and JROTC Programs.
2025 Social Events
Member meetings (social events) are bimonthly on the third Sunday in January, March, May, July, September and November.
May 18, 2025
Member Meeting/Social
Sunday Brunch at Blackthorn Club
The pavilion is open for us at 12:30 and brunch begins at 1:00
Guest Speaker: To Be Announced
Cost: $35 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
July 20, 2025
Member Meeting/Social
Sunday Brunch at Blackthorn Club
The pavilion is open for us at 12:30 and brunch begins at 1:00
Guest Speaker: To Be Announced
Cost: $35 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
September 21, 2025
Member Meeting/Social
Sunday Brunch at Blackthorn Club
The pavilion is open for us at 12:30 and brunch begins at 1:00
Guest Speaker: To Be Announced
Cost: $35 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
November 16, 2025
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday Brunch at Blackthorn Club
The pavilion is open for us at 12:30 and brunch begins at 1:00
Guest Speaker: To Be Announced
Cost: $35 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 2024
THE CEREMONY AND PLACEMENT OF WREATHS WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 14, 2024 AT MOUNTAIN HOME NATIONAL CEMETERY, JOHNSON CITY, TN. THE WEATHER WAS PLEASANT AND THE LARGE CROWD, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS MADE FOR A SPECIAL TIME TO REMEMBER, HONOR AND TEACH. SEE PHOTOS BELOW.
Jeanie and Charlie Thomas
Mark Tipton
Stan Gedelman
2025 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA IS ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 13, 2025
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS