Commentary by Lt. Col. (USAF-Ret)
MOAA, Central New York Chapter

3/6/2008 - CNY Chapter MOAA-- I reviewed the CNY MOAA Chapter President Meinking's message from a year ago (March 2007). How similar the needs remain. So encourage our congressional leaders not to slack off in maintaining a durable, sustainable military and to continue to address the military health care inequities that still exist. Please write a personal note on the four letters that are in the February 2008 "Military Officer" magazine, sign, seal, stamp and mail them to the named Senators and Representatives. With all the smoke and mirrors that accompany a presidential election year, it is easy for everyone to take their eye off the ball.
The MOAA membership effort "Give Me Ten" was restarted January 2008. Last year our chapter membership ended at 138 regular, 65 Auxiliary, and 1 Honorary Auxiliary member. I challenge us to raise that by 10% or 20 new local or MOAA members, regular or Auxiliary.  MOAA sent an e-mail with 709 local potential active, retired, or once active from all services and many are national MOAA members or once members.  I have contacted the ROTC Units at Syracuse University. We may be able to gain some new MOAA members from the graduating new lieutenants and some chapter members from the ROTC officer cadre.  It also seems that we need to start a satellite chapter in the Fort Drum Area because of the large number of active duty and retired national MOAA members with no easy access to a local chapter. This number is growing! Keep your ears, eyes and ideas open for new ways to serve our fellow officers!