January is upon us and we look forward and hope that this next decade starts off in a memorable way.  The Christmas and New Year holidays usually mean family, time off and an up-lift for our outlook.  Many of you will do the traditional New Year’s resolutions and only hope that they survive long enough to have made a difference in your lives.

The swamp in DC murkied the waters to end last year and we can only hope that 2020 takes an upswing.  I pray for good health for all of you.  I pray for patriotism to gain momentum and that all that have and are currently serving will experience peace and unity this coming year.

NCOA Christmas Social

Our National Commander, Vince Patton, shared a thought recently that gave me something to think about.  20/20 vision is what we all hope for, as with it, we can see clearly and avoid the many pitfalls that find their way into our lives.  We are now in the year 2020 and it seems appropriate to equate 20/20 vision to what NCOA’s vision will be going forward.  I know what I and the Board of Directors would like to see, but in order for you, our valued members to buy into whatever vision we settle on, it is best to ask you for your opinions.  So I am asking each of you to spend a little time pondering what you would like to see for NCOA.  We are trying to formulate some ideas on how we can work together with the other veteran and military service organizations to strengthen our unified voice as well as to cut costs.  We are searching for projects and missions to engage our members to support our troops and their families.

I and your leadership do value each and every one of you.  Ideas that provoke thought, even if we disagree on the pretext, can ultimately help us change course to something even better than where we were headed.  Every input received, whether I agree with it or not, gets sent to all of the leadership.  Change is not a bad thing but stagnation can truly harm any organization.  So put on your thinking caps and send me an email.  Your ideas might just turn out to be the best thing we have going.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org 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