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President’s Message – November 2025
November is one of the most rewarding months of the year for me. We all honor November 11th as Veterans Day, but with so many veteran events I would like to see all of November proclaimed as “Veteran’s Month” to adequately honor our veterans who gave their youth and lives in support of our great country! Please give an extra dose of gratitude this month to our veterans, especially when you come across veterans who proudly display their military caps and attire. I’m reminded that as we head into the holiday season, there are some who are vulnerable trying to cope with memories of those who are no longer here. Please reach out and give an extra “Buddy Check.” November is also National Family Caregivers Month. I would like to recognize our military caregivers who not only cared for their loved one while in military service, but who work tirelessly as we all advance in age to give an extra dose of TLC. Caregivers often do not recognize the signs that they too need extra support to cope with the daunting task that comes with caregiving. We have included an article for support and education so that you don’t burn yourself out. Caregivers are sometimes the last to seek help, but the first to need a helping hand.
I’d like to deviate from having a guest speaker at our Veterans Day luncheon on November 11th. It occurred to me that if you totaled up all the years of service our military members have, and the years our spouses have been right there with us, we will discover a camaraderie of mutual support that has kept our MOAA family going strong since 1959! I would like to give those that choose to speak the opportunity to take a few minutes and enlighten our lunch crowd about some of their significant experiences in the military or supporting our service member. With the uncertainty of our food challenged veterans that rely on SNAP, please consider bringing canned goods to our luncheon-I will make sure they get to our Orlando Soldiers Angels that feeds 200+ veterans and military on the 3rd Friday of the month at Lake Baldwin. I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Nov 11th, and for those of you that can’t, I thank you all for getting out of your comfort zone to serve our Nation and proudly share the title of “Veteran.”
It’s that time of year again when we need to review our Board of Directors and Chapter Leadership. Like any successful organization, we need new eyes and ears to help steer us into the future to keep our Chapter alive and vibrant. Please make yourself known at the November and December Chapter events so we can put your name forward to fill Chapter positions of leadership.
Cheers, Lorraine
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President’s Message – September 2025
It’s become obvious that summer is turning the corner when we see coffee companies bringing out their fall collection that includes “pumpkin bread with cream cheese flavoring” and our grocery stores are propping up their collection of yummy snack food items to eat while watching College Football games! I’m hoping that everyone has returned from holidays away, and ready to catch-up with each other at our September 9th MOAA luncheon at the DoubleTree UCF. We have a terrific guest speaker, Army veteran Mike Kepner, the Director UCF Military Veterans and Student Success Office. Out of the 69,818 enrolled UCF students, there are well over 2,000+ veterans and family members who are enrolled in this Fall Semester. There is every reason to believe some of the veterans will re-enter military service and become our future leaders in uniform! Not a MOAA Member? We encourage anyone who is interested to attend this luncheon and connect with a huge resource for our local veterans in Central Florida. If you are eligible to join our MOAA Chapter, the first lunch is on the Chapter if you join!
Please give pause and remember the souls we lost, and the families left behind on September 11th as it marks the 24th anniversary of the tragic attack on the New York City World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes crashed.
I encourage everyone to come out and attend the City of Orlando’s September 19th, 2025, POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony that honors United States military prisoners of war and those still missing in action as part of national POW/MIA Day. Join Mayor Dyer at 10:30am in the Devos Family Room at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and hear from special guest speaker, Army Private First-Class Jessica Lynch, the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II. See below for additional information.
I thank MOAA members Angela Hong, who is the President of Central Florida Korean Association, and her husband MAJ (ret) Ron Navratil for their continued efforts to raise awareness and honor our veterans. On August 16th, in support of the 80th anniversary of the National Liberation Day of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Association highlighted the service of Lake Nona Community Living Center Korean Veteran Tech Sergeant Richard Decker. Several members from the Chapter can attest that the events honor our veterans with colorful entertainment, commodore, and delicious, authentic food that makes the events even more meaningful. Mark your calendar for their next event on October 4th; see below for more information>
We are excited to announce our Healing Through Expression is hosting a Veteran Artist Showing on October 11th from 4pm-8pm at the DoubleTree Orlando East – UCF Area. The DoubleTree is located at 12125 High Tech Ave. Orlando. Typical with a high-end art showing, we will be showing off our veteran’s artwork and hearing stories about how unleashing their artistic abilities has brought to their lives. Like what you see? Support our veterans by offering to purchase their artwork! If you are looking for a great date night, along with live music, appetizers and a drink coupon will be offered to each attendee. This is also a perfect venue to bring along someone to meet our MOAA Chapter members and artists, and if eligible, become a Chapter member. Please come out and support this first of a kind event to honor the efforts of our local veteran artists!
AN APPEAL: Our current Board of Directors Secretary is Joanie Fiebrandt and she has done an outstanding job keeping our Board Minutes straight. Joanie has taken on more responsibilities in other areas to help her community, and family, and we are looking for an immediate replacement for her. It’s not a time-consuming position, but an important one that requires a presence on a Zoom Board Meeting when we have them (about every two months). The Board Members are given a detailed agenda, and the Zoom is recorded. Please give Joanie a call (954-695-5222) or email jfiebrandt@yahoo.com to gain more information – I would like to make this happen sooner rather than later to free up Joanie! And it goes without saying that I’m not disappearing from our MOAA Chapter I now sit on 10 different Veteran Councils as the MOAA representative and this is mutually exclusive from being the President. I will continue to sit on the councils, and like all organizations, we need new blood at the helm as the MOAA President for our Central Florida Chapter!!
Cheers, Lorraine
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President’s Message – July 2025
I hope you all are enjoying your summer vacation and enjoying time with your family and friends! For those of you that have been away, welcome home, and for those of you still seeking relief in cooler places, I can’t fault you for being away!
Just a reminder that our next Chapter luncheon is September 9th.
I am the MOAA representative on 8 different veteran related councils in Florida, and I’m fortunate to have a close friendship with our VA Lake Nona Outreach Coordinator Harold Borrero (he spoke at a previous luncheon). The VA continues to seek out veterans who are not enrolled and asks that we encourage them to consider doing so. VA.gov offers a wealth of information for not only the veteran, but families and surviving spouses. I’ve put together “Cliff Notes” with a few links in this newsletter and a VA Welcome Kit is attached to the email to pique your interest. Our VA is funded based on the number of enrolled veterans. You served your country, and this is one of your earned benefits.
Looks like scammers haven’t taken the summer off and are up to their old tricks to deceive our members. Please be wary of opening emails that ask you to purchase gift cards; we have a Treasurer that controls our chapter funds, and rest assured no one from our chapter will ask you to make a purchase.
Please give thought to joining our Chapter Board of Directors. We are long overdue to having new faces represent our chapter. We especially need a Secretary to record the minutes when we have a Board Meeting. I produce a detailed agenda and the meeting is recorded. We learned at our last luncheon that COL (ret) Kin LaFate has decided to relocate, so that leaves a vacancy for our Chapter Vice President. And it goes without saying that for many years now I’ve asked to have new blood at the helm as our Chapter President. I’m not going anywhere, as I’m deeply entrenched in our Veteran Councils and will remain so as the MOAA representative. Being the Chapter President is a very rewarding position and if you are looking to add another layer of purpose and meaning to your life, I can’t think of a better opportunity!
Cheers, Lorraine
Quote: “We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. “ – Robert J. McCracken
Cheers, Lorraine
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Orlando Creative Arts Veteran Competition at Lake Nona VA July 11th
Lake Nona VA is hosting the annual VA Orlando Creative Arts Competition on July 11; please refer to the flyer on dates, time and locations that your artwork needs to be submitted ahead of time. I encourage you to come out and admire the miriad of artwork that our veterans produce and vote for your favorite entries. We will have our MOAA Healing Through Expression table and we are looking for several of our Chapter members to help set-up on July 10th and help at the show on July 11th. Our “Healing thru Expression” philanthropy C (3) continues to be very active with Lake Nona VA to provide art supplies (thanks to a MOAA Foundation Grant, the Orlando Mayors Veterans Council, and the Winter Park American Legion Auxiliary grant) in support of the VA Recreational Therapy Department. Over the past 3+ years our chapter has attended monthly art classes with veterans who seek relief from stress by expressing themselves through their art. We’ve had several events to showcase veteran’s artwork to the public. Marybeth Verbinski is the VA Recreational Therapist POC for veterans. Text or call MaryBeth cell 407-403-4718 or email mary.verbinski@va.gov and let her know you would like to attend. The flyer outlines the event and the 50 different “art” entries available to our veterans (they can submit one item for a total of 3 different categories). All Veterans will need to sign the provided paperwork and agree to Code of Participation to be eligible for this year’s show. All the forms will be available at recording sessions and artwork turn in.
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FAVOB Salute to Sisters in Service on June 12th
Join Us for FAVOB Orlando’s Salute to Sisters in Service! In recognition of Women Veterans Recognition Day, FAVOB invites you to an inspiring evening as we honor the incredible contributions of women who have served and continue to lead in business, community, and beyond. Event will be held at Dubsdread Golf Course, 549 West Par St, Orlando.
Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while connecting with trailblazers who have paved the way for women in the military and civilian life. This is a powerful opportunity to build new connections, celebrate achievements, and be inspired by the stories of women who exemplify leadership, resilience, and service. I would truly appreciate it if each of you could share with your Legion Post, VFW, and other veteran organizations you are a part of. Thank you!
Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salute-to-sister-in-service-orlando-tickets-1341266587469?aff=oddtdtcreator
We are thrilled to welcome Taylor Galadyk as our guest speaker. Taylor is a Marine Corps veteran, dedicated life coach, and former CrossFit Games athlete who has spent over a decade empowering high-performing women in leadership, strength, and personal development. With a Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University and a deep passion for building resilience and excellence, Taylor’s message promises to inspire and energize all who attend. Let’s come together to celebrate Women Veterans Day and honor the extraordinary women who continue to break barriers and lead the way! Women veterans in attendance will receive a soft t-shirt with the message:” Never Underestimate a Woman with a DD214″.
We look forward to seeing you there! If you have questions about our Featured Business opportunity, email Jen Pollock at jen.pollock@amerisbank.com, or Trish Murphy trish@marketingsmartypants.com
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