To our Halifax Area Chapter members, friends, and community partners:

I believe a strong MOAA chapter is built through service, relationships, advocacy, and meaningful participation. Our chapter should be more than an organization people join. It should be a welcoming community where members feel valued, connected, and united by a mission larger than themselves.

Our philosophy is simple: invite people to something meaningful, provide a positive experience, build lasting relationships, and offer additional opportunities to become involved. When people see the value of our fellowship, service, and advocacy firsthand, membership becomes a natural next step.

As president, my priorities are to keep the Halifax Area Chapter strong, relevant, proactive, and visible throughout the Greater Daytona Beach community. We will continue improving how we communicate through our website, social media, newsletters, and community outreach. We will also work to connect with MOAA members in our area who have not yet joined a local chapter and welcome them into our network of fellowship, service, and support.

Advocacy will remain central to our mission. Through MOAA’s Legislative Action Center and other advocacy initiatives, we have the opportunity to make our collective voices heard on issues affecting servicemembers, veterans, retirees, military families, caregivers, and survivors. Every message sent and every action taken strengthens MOAA’s influence and demonstrates the power of an informed and engaged membership.

It is also important that our members, prospective members, and community partners clearly understand who we are and how we are organized. The Halifax Area Chapter is an independent 501(c)(19) nonprofit veterans organization affiliated with the Military Officers Association of America. National MOAA is also a 501(c)(19) veterans organization, while MOAA Charities is a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our programs, partnerships, advocacy, and community service reflect both our local independence and our shared commitment to MOAA’s broader mission of serving the military and veteran community.

Participation is equally important. Whether attending a luncheon, joining us for Coffee & Camaraderie, supporting a veteran outreach project, mentoring a cadet, participating in advocacy, or volunteering at a community event, every member has something valuable to contribute. Our success will not be measured by membership numbers alone, but by the relationships we build, the people we support, and the difference we make in our community.

Although the military and veteran population continues to change, I believe our greatest opportunity is still ahead of us. By remaining welcoming, mission-focused, and responsive to the needs of our community, we can reach current MOAA members, prospective members, younger officers, surviving spouses, veterans, and community partners who are seeking meaningful ways to connect and serve.

My commitment as your president is to listen, communicate, create opportunities, and ensure that every member has a place within our mission. Together, we will continue to honor those who served, support those serving today, advocate for military families and survivors, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Lead Through Service. Grow Through Mission. Never Stop Serving.