MAJ Lorraine Holland, US Army (ret)

I am reminded again this year that all is not lost when it comes to our young High School JROTC students who seek out serving our great country! It is with great pride I announce that our JROTC Scholarship Selection Board chose 9 of the finest Senior JROTC cadets in Central Florida! Without the generosity of our chapter members to contribute to our scholarship fund, our ability to issue a check for $1,000 to each cadet would not be possible. I thank you for seeing the goodness of our program and supporting the future leaders of our military! I would be remiss if I didn’t thank members of our chapter for making our scholarship and medal program a reality: COL Bob Brogan and Lt Col John Thomas, LTC Mike & Vicki Gillett, LTC Dean Ptaszynski, and LTC Kin La Fate. Mike and John have been chairing the two programs for many years, and they have now handed the baton over to Dean and Bob. I hope you take the time to read the bios of each of the 9 cadets. We honored the cadets, their family and cadre on April 20th with a luncheon, and each year I get reminded that this is the most celebrated luncheon with our members.

May and June are full of holidays or events to recognize the military and I hope you find a few to honor our veterans and their families. On May 27th, please take a few minutes to acknowledge Memorial Day for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we share. You don’t have to look far to find veteran service organizations that are looking for you to come out and share in their events. For those of you that will be taking vacations during the upcoming months, please make memorable memories, and safe travels on your journeys!

I hope to see everyone at our luncheon on June 11th!
Cheers …. Lorraine

It is with great pride that I announce we have now had two Veteran Art Shows to showcase the unique artwork from 5 of our local veteran artists!  The interaction between the veteran artists and the patrons was beyond my wildest expectations!  Not only did the patrons ask the veterans to talk about how their artwork came to be, but the veterans felt a sense of empowerment to tell their story on the journey they have made to help overcome their fears and mental anguish they experienced in the military.  At both showings, each veteran captured the hearts of the patrons and sold several pieces of their artwork!  We will be hosting a Veteran Art Show at our upcoming February 13^th luncheon, and in addition, we will be given a briefing by Recreational Therapist MaryBeth Verbinski from the VA Lake Nona.  MaryBeth has been a steadfast supporter of our “Healing Through Expression” program, and our chapter supports her monthly veteran’s art class at Lake Nona with donations of art supplies, drinks, and refreshments.  There is far more than art therapy to the VA’s Recreational Therapy program to address suicide and PTSD, and I encourage you to attend the luncheon to hear the innovative ways the VA is helping our veterans who are dealing with the results of their military service. Some of the artwork on display will be for sale, and we can take cash, check or credit card as payment (all sales go to the veteran).   We will also be partnering with the Museum of Military History (5210 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, Fl) for a museum fundraiser on Sunday, February 11^th for another showing of artwork for our veterans.  There is free admission to the museum between 10:00-6:00pm, and I can attest that the museum is worth a visit!  See attachment.

I hope to see you at our luncheon on February 13^th.

And for our March luncheon …. save the date of March 12^th for a rare chance to hear from Dr. Lourdes Benes, a practicing neurologist who specializes in age-related cognitive and mobility issues as we age.  In April, our usual 2^nd Tuesday luncheon is replaced with our JROTC Awards Luncheon, this year on Saturday, April 20^th.  Don’t miss it.

Next MOAA CFC Event is February 13th @ 11:30 am  $24 per person 

Our next Chapter meeting is a luncheon on February 13th at 11:30 am at the DoubleTree Orlando East – UCF Area. The DoubleTree is located at 12125 High Tech Ave, Orlando. Please note, the hotel sits back off the road and may not be immediately visible. We are very fortunate to have a special briefing on the Lake Nona and Lake Baldwin Recreational Therapy program to combat suicide and veterans with PTSD.  MaryBeth Verbinski is the Recreational Therapist we work with on implementing our “Healing Through Expression” program.  In addition, we have invited several veteran artists to set up their artwork for viewing or sale, and they are looking forward to discussing how art therapy has transformed their lives after leaving their respective military service.   The DoubleTree is serving London Broil with Mushroom Sauce on the side, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and California Vegetable Melody.   Dessert will be the Chefs selection, and a warm Doubletree Cookie. Please RSVP NLT February 9th to this email, or email lorraineholland@hotmail.com or call 407-221-1388. Come out to enjoy a wonderful event with your fellow chapter members!  Save-the-date for our next luncheon on March 12^th where our guest speaker is Dr. Lourdes Benes, a board-certified Neurologist in Cognitive, Behavioral and Movement Disorders.  (www.NeurologyOne.com)  Dr. Benes will enlighten us on age-related cognitive and mobility issues as we age.  We all can use helpful tips to keep our minds and bodies sharp as we get older! And we will learn how to spot forgetfulness versus dementia setting in. Dr. Benes had a Fellowship with the VA Medical Center Cognitive, Behavioral & Movement Disorders.

Florida Council of Chapters Website

The Florida Council of Chapters is rolling out a new website following the retirement of John Snyder, our former Webmaster.  John’s website was a custom created site that only he knew how to operate; it served our needs for many years and his efforts over the years was greatly appreciated.  The new website features a new look and can also be easily used by Chapters who don’t have their own customized website, like we do.

Go to www.flmoaa.org to check it out.  Once the February Communique’ newsletter is published it, and all following newsletters, will be posted there as well.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’s a busy time of year as we gear up for Veterans Day and the November month of activities surrounding this annual day of honoring our Nation’s Veterans. Starting this year, the week of November 11th is “Veterans Week” in Florida. I will be representing our MOAA Chapter at several functions, and I encourage you to participate in Veterans Day activities in your respective areas to honor those who have honorably and selflessly served. I know many of our members are very active in their veteran community and we would like to hear your stories!
This Focus newsletter covers both November and December, and I would be remiss if I didn’t wish all of you a wonderful day with family and friends on Thanksgiving, and a Merry Christmas full of magical festivities with your loved ones! Let’s not forget that as our world is swirling in unrest overseas, we have deployed military personnel stationed in harm’s way. Please keep our brave men and women in your thoughts and prayers, as they are the reason we have a peaceful and safe home in America. For our November 14th luncheon, we are very fortunate to have our own Patricia Green, a MOAA National Surviving Spouse Advisory Council member, as our guest speaker. Pat’s topics include the downsizing process and financial awareness needed as we age, and topics for preparing for living potentially as a single person later in life.
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. I’m looking forward to seeing you at our luncheon on November 14th! Cheers, Lorraine

I hope you have made the most of your long summer days, and for those of you that traveled to cooler locations, I wish you a safe journey back to Central Florida. Hurricane Idalia was our first “wake-up” call that we are in the middle of hurricane season. We are fortunate that we didn’t take a major hit, and keep in mind there’s always a chance a tornado can form in the aftermath. Double check to make sure your hurricane plans are in place and ensure your supply kit is well stocked! Please refer to the attached Hurricane Checklist which provides life saving tips while preparing for seasonal hurricanes. Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is in place until 8 September. You can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies tax-free.

Find a full list of tax-free items at www.FloridaRevenue.com/DisasterPrep and a complete disaster supply kit checklist at www.FloridaDisaster.org/Kit

Several of our chapter members volunteered at the August 25th Orlando VA Creative Art Show at Lake Nona in support of our local veteran artists. There were several hundred works of art on display and we had 260 visitors who had a chance to judge the artwork. I want to thank Al and Ruth Schroeder for setting up a MOAA table to promote our chapters “Healing Through Expression” philanthropy non-profit charity.

Our next chapter luncheon is right around the corner on 12 September 2023. Our guest speaker will be David Mink, the Audience Development Manager for the Orlando Shakes. Al Schroeder and I sat with David to discuss a joint venture for displaying veteran artwork at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. After a performance at the Shakes ends, we will display the artwork from local veterans who are enrolled in the VA and offer an opportunity for veterans and patrons to interact about the artwork. We continue to look for volunteers, so if art is something that interests you, please let us know. Lorraine