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
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
This years event is on December 16th 2023 at 12 noon. Mark your calendars.
To purchase wreaths for Mountain Home Cemetery, click on the below button and follow the Wreaths across America information on the tc-mac website to purchase wreaths.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE CHAPTER WINS 5 STAR AWARDS FOR 2022
2022 Five Star Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award
Our chapter was awarded the Five Star Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award for 2022. This award is to identify councils and chapters that do an outstanding job communicating with their members and community. Our chapter was honored to receive this award for the chapter website and newsletter. This is the second year in a row for this award.

Congratulations to our leadership and all involved for making our chapter the "best of the best".
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.
June 2023 Newsletter
See the latest Chapter Newsletter. Click below or visit The Newsletter page to see previous newsletters.
2023 Social Events
Member meetings (social events) are bimonthly on the third Sunday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

November 19, 2023
Annual Business Meeting
Our November social and annual business meeting was held at the Blackthorn Club. After the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer our group of about 40 members and guest enjoyed a wonderful brunch provided by the Blackthorn Club. We were honored to be joined by CAPT Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN, (Ret.) from MOAA National. She is MOAA's Senior Director, Council and Chapter Affairs. We were also honored to have the Tennessee Council of Chapters incoming president LTC Pete Warner, USA (Ret.) join us for our annual business meeting. MECMOAA President John Rice provided a report on the state of our Chapter and the most impressive result was that the Chapter signed up eight new members in 2023. Also, he noted that our Chapter was awarded the 2022 Five Star Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award for our website and newsletter. This is the second year in a row for this award. He also pointed out that we currently have a little over $8.00 in the scholarship account. He put out a call to action and by the time the meeting was over our members had contributed $1,050 for our scholarship programs. Well done and thank you to all that answered the call. After the business part of the meeting LTC Pete Warner provided his goals as incoming Council President which includes a state convention in 2024 or 2025.
Next on the agenda, MECMOAA President John Rice introduced our guest speaker, CAPT Erin Stone. She discussed the importance of legislative advocacy at the chapter level as well as how National MOAA is constantly reviewing and assessing any and all legislation that may impact the uniform services and veteran communities. She provided a handout to the Board that identified numerous resources that are available to assist chapter management.
See photos below.


CAPT Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Erin Stone is presented a thank you gift (may or may not be locally produced moonshine) by MECMOAA 1st Vice President COL Don Thompson, USAF (Ret.) and MECMOAA President John Rice

CAPT Erin Stone and MECMOAA Board of Directors


2024 Social Events
Member meetings (social events) are bimonthly on the third Sunday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

January 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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members and guests - Pay at the door
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
March 17, 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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members and guests - Pay at the door
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below
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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members 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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members 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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members 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: $25 per person for members current on Chapter dues and their spouses and $30 for non-current members and guests - Pay at the door
RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below