Mountain Empire Chapter

affiliate of MOAA

Mountain Empire Chapter Affiliate of The Military Officers Association of America

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 2024

 

 CEREMONY AT 12.00 PM ON DECEMBER 14, 2024 AT MOUNTAIN HOME NATIONAL CEMETER

TO SPONSOR WREATHS CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR THE TC-MAC WEBSITE.  YOU CAN SPONSOR WREATHS BY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS UNDER THE WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA LOGO ON THEIR WEBSITE. 

THERE ARE  OVER 18,000 GRAVES OF OUR COUNTRY'S FALLEN HEROES AT MOUNTAIN HOME NATIONAL CEMETERY SO PLEASE SPONSOR AS MANY WREATHS AS YOU CAN.

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2023 MOAA National Awards 

 

Our Chapter has been recognized by National MOAA for two annual major awards for 2023.

The Levels of Excellent Award is MOAA's most prestigious affiliate award, honoring councils and chapters for their efforts across the full scope of our association's mission.  

 

MECMOAA - 4 Star Award Winner

 

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The Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award identifies councils and chapters that do an outstanding job communicating with their members.

 

MECMOAA - 5 Star Award for the Newsletter and the Website

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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 2024 Newsletter

 

See the latest Chapter Newsletter.  Click below or visit The Newsletter page to see previous newsletters.

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November 17, 2024
Annual Business Meeting

 

Our annual business meeting was held at the Blackthorn Club with about forty members and guest attending.  MECMOAA President, John Rice welcomed everyone and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the invocation from member Jack Butterworth. The first order of business was the election of officers for 2025-2027. We only had a single nominee for each position other than Secretary as there is no nominee at this time.  A vote was held and all nominees were elected by  unanimous voice vote.  The Secretary  position will remain vacant until a replacement is found.  Membership Chair, Mark Tipton reported that we  have ten new members so far in 2024 which is two more than last year.  Treasurer, Brett Monette provided a positive financial update.  Outgoing Legislative Chair, Don Thompson and incoming Chair, John Lyle provided updates on legislative issues and how members can get involved through MOAA National and contact their legislative representatives.  Next, our guest speaker for this meeting was Major Robert Duskin from the Johnson City Salvation Army. He provided an excellent presentation about the services provided by the local Salvation Army.  Finally, we were honored to have the Tennessee Council of Chapters President, Pete Warner, LTC USA (Ret.).  He provided an overview of the Council of Chapters and that our Chapter is doing well based on growing the membership and attendance at our meetings.

 

To close out the meeting MECMOAA President John Rice provided a monetary donation from our Chapter to Major Robert Duskin, Johnson City Salvation Army.  He also announced a call to action for donations for our scholarship program.  

 

Reminders:  

The Wreaths Across America event is at 12:00pm on December 14, 2024 at the Mountain Home Cemetery in Johnson City. Please come out and join several members for this special event - rain or shine. Our Chapter and members have sponsored over fifty wreaths for placement at Mountain Home National Cemetery.

 

Our next meeting/social is on January 19, 2025.  

 

See photos below:

 

 

 

 

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MECMOAA President LCDR John Rice, USN (Ret.) welcomed members and guest.

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COL Don Thompson, USAF (Ret.) and COL John Lyle, USAF (Ret.) provide legislative updates.

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Major Robert Duskin, Johnson City Salvation Army 

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LTC Pete Warner, USA (Ret.) TN Council of Chapters President  

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LTC Pete Warner, USA (Ret.) TN Council of Chapters President presents outgoing MECMOAA Chapter President LCDR John Rice, USN (Ret.) with a Council ball cap and a challenge coin.

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LTC Pete Warner, USA (Ret.) TN Council of Chapters President presents past MECMOAA Chapter President Maj Mark Tipton, USAF (Ret.) with a Council ball cap and a challenge coin.

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MECMOAA President LCDR John Rice, USN (Ret.) presents a monetary donation to Major Robert Duskin, Johnson City Salvation Army.

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2025 Social Events

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

 

JANUARY 19, 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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.

RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below

 

 

March 16, 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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.

RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below

 

 

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: $30 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: $30 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: $30 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: $30 per person for members, spouses and guests - Pay at the door.

RSVP to mecmoaa@gmail link below