MAJ Lorraine Holland, US Army (ret)

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