NCOA Rogue
Information from NCOA Executive Director Jan 2022
2022 is off to a good start. I have made it through almost a full year since my wife of 41 and a half years passed away very suddenly and I am still standing tall. Since our last conference in San Antonio, your chapter has been busy, and I wanted you to know what has been accomplished as it might just make you feel good too!
- So far, the Rogue Chapter has awarded over 50 WW2 Medallions to WW2 veterans and their families. Schedules are filling up to award another 30 and I am working with the local Chamber of Commerce to identify more.
- We raised over $14,000 at our annual 5k VeteRun for veteran’s charities and in the 5 years of the VeteRun, we have raised and given away over $60,000.
- The Rogue Chapter sponsored the Navy Vanguard at our last conference and would like to help sponsor something at the 2022 conference if we can raise enough funds. Sponsorships listed above with the attachments range from just a few hundred dollars to as much as $8000 for the remaining Air Force Vanguard sponsor. In a perfect world, I would get to see each of you in San Antonio and thank each of you for your support of not only the chapter, but the association as well.
- We were able to raise and provide $10,000 for Honor Flight that takes our honored veterans to see their Memorials in Washington DC.
- The Association has a goal of 1,200 new members by July 19th. So far Rogue Chapter has recruited 13 new members. While that number is not huge in the big picture, we are just getting started. The Rogue Chapter will cover part of the cost of a 1-year membership if you send the application back to us so that we can make up the difference. Regular membership is normally $30 and now it is $20. Auxiliary membership for family members over the age of 18 is normally $20 & now $15. We are one active auxiliary member away from being able to restart our own auxiliary chapter. Can you help? You may win one of 2 $250 visa cards or a $500 visa card if your name is picked. Just follow the instructions in the membership campaign attachment. Send applications & payment to the address below. Payment can also be made on our website, just mark for membership and mail application in. Add $1.00 if you use a credit card to cover processing fees. Website below.
- We will be giving away two $500 scholarships prior to the conference that can be used for trade schools or conventional educational pursuits. Priority goes to kids/grandkids or great grandkids of NCOA members. If you have a family member eligible for the auxiliary with kids that could use the scholarship, for a minimal membership fee, they can be in a preferential position when applying. Don’t wait until the last minute.
WW2 medallion presentations from Rogue Chapter
Chairman Terry Haines presents WW2 medallions to Army veteran Jay Hayes, Betty Francis, widow of Army veteran Richard Francis, Ginny Vandine, widow of US Army Air Corps veteran Joseph Vandine, Navy veteran Laurie Jordan & Retired Navy Senior Chief Bill Francis.
NCOA Newsletter January 2022
Desk of the Chairman January 2022
January is the beginning of a new year and as such gives us all an opportunity to lay a new way forward in front of us. New Year’s Day is a day where many of us watch football, recover from New Year’s Eve parties, and begin to think about how we want the rest of the year to pan out in front of us. In January we also remember civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. who is recognized for peacefully confronting the issue of race relations in this country. My number one hope for 2022 is that we can bring a peaceful sanity back in this country, get past Covid and come together as brother and sister Americans again.
I have been very involved in presenting WW2 medallions to many veterans and families. Thank you goes out to those chapters and individuals who have also been involved in that process. The look of gratitude in the eyes of these members of the Greatest Generation is priceless. I have been able to locate a lot of these veterans by contacting local senior living facilities and retirement homes. In many of the homes after the presentations, a spontaneous outbreak of singing God Bless America has taken place as that is a song and memory that resonates with that generation. It is moving and something that would make each of you appreciate what you are doing to make the twilight of a veteran’s life a bit more positive. Medallions are available from HQ for a minimum donation of $15.
Plans are under way to bring some fun back into our annual conference as that is something many of you have asked for. We are also looking to bring a professional development component to our conferences so that our active-duty forces have a meaningful reason to attend. These two changes are coming about because your leadership is trying hard to respond to your requests. It will mean some changes to how the conferences have played out over the week, but we believe that some change will bring some excitement back into our annual conferences.
I have hope that many of you will see the positive direction that NCOA is heading in and decide to be part of this rebirth. You can help by giving of your experience with our strategic plan or by recruiting a new member that may have the experience needed to make a difference. I gifted a new member for Christmas, and it is never too late to jump on board. Some chapters are offering reduced membership fees and, in any case, NCOA dues are cheaper than most other organization dues. You can make a difference today. Recruit a regular member or sign up a family member into the auxiliary.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at retiredveteran89@outlook.com and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors
WW2 medallion presentation from Rogue Chapter
Navy veteran Robert Hanson with his wife and 101-year-old Justin Gibson, an Army Air Corps veteran receive the WW2 medallion from Chairman Terry Haines.
