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!
CHAPTER NEWS
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.
December 2023 Newsletter
See the latest Chapter Newsletter. Click below or visit The Newsletter page to see previous newsletters.
March 17, 2024
Member Meeting/Social
Our March meeting/social was held at the Blackthorn Club and our members/guests enjoyed a festive St. Patrick's Day brunch. Our President, John Rice, welcomed everyone and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Don Thompson offered the Invocation.
Sadly, in the past month we lost three of our members and a moment of silence was held for Sandee Wooley, wife of Jack Wooley, COL, USA (Ret.), Clint Smith, CAPT, USN, (Ret.) and Bill Woods, LT, USNR (Ret.).
After enjoying the festive St. Patrick's Day brunch we were provided an update on the "Raise the Flag" fund raising project by the American Legion, King's Mountain Post 24 from MECMOAA member COL Steve Pecinovsky, USAF (Ret.). He showed drone footage of the flag site and provided an update on the status of the fund raising effort. This project by the American Legion Chapter at King's Mountain Post 24 is to place a 100' tall flag pole and a huge flag on Tannery Knobs which can be seen from many locations around the Johnson City area. The fundraising goal is $30,000 for the project. Our Chapter has donated $100 and several members donated as well. Please consider donating by mailing checks to The American Legion, King's Mountain Post 24, 409 East Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.
It is that time of year as our Chapter presents scholarship/awards at local high school JROTC programs. Ed Champion, LTC, USA, (Ret.) provided information on the ten area high schools that our Chapter participates in their presentation ceremonies. Several of our members volunteered to make the award presentations.
MECMOAA 1ST Vice President Don Thompson, COL, USAF (Ret.) has arranged our Chapter to be represented at the Appalachian Veteran Fair of East Tennessee on March 26, 2024 at Bristol Motor Speedway, South Building, 151 Speedway Blvd., Bristol, TN. Hours: 1000 to 1600. If any member is available, please join Don to represent our Chapter.
See photos below:
MECMOAA President John Rice, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
MECMOAA member Steve Pecinovsky, COL, USAF (Ret.)
MECMOAA President John Rice, LCDR, USN (Ret.) and MECMOAA member Ed Champion, LTC, USA (Ret.)
Happy St. Patrick's Day
2024 Social Events
Member meetings (social events) are bimonthly on the third Sunday in January, March, May, July, September and November.
May 19, 2024
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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
July 21, 2024
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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
September 15, 2024
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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
November 17, 2024
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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 2024
DECEMBER 14, 2024
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
