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FDVA Women Veterans Summit

Mail / By

Women Veterans are invited to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs  (FDVA) Women Veterans Summit, June 5–7, at The Westin Tampa Bay. This FREE event connects Women Veterans with leaders and community partners to provide resources for their ongoing success. Register and learn more:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fdva-women-veterans-summit-stronger-together-tickets-1982887001399?msockid=220f1ee1538862e10a6d09ff52e5639d

DETAILS:

FDVA Women Veterans Summit – Stronger Together

By Florida Department Of Veteran Affairs

Location:   The Westin Tampa BayTampa, FL 7627 West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607

Friday June 5th Foundations & Health

3:00 PM – 09:00 PM

Saturday – Purpose, Planning & Possibility

09:00 AM  – 04:00 PM

Overview

Get ready to connect, empower, and uplift at the FDVA Women Veterans Summit – Stronger Together!

Join us for a powerful, purpose-driven weekend designed exclusively for women veterans who are ready to take control of their next chapter—health, career, business, leadership, and life.

Summit will be held on the waterfront at beautiful and newly renovated The Westin Tampa Bay: address 7627 West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607. This immersive summit brings together trusted experts, fellow women veterans, and community partners for honest conversations, practical guidance, and meaningful connection. This is not a conference where you sit and listen. This is where you learn, engage, plan, and leave with clarity.

Who Should Attend? Women veterans at any stage of transition -Women navigating VA benefits, healthcare, or life planning -Aspiring and established entrepreneurs -Career-focused women preparing for civilian roles -Leaders, advocates, and community builders -Spouses and supporters are welcome for select sessions.

Why Stronger Together? Because no woman veteran should have to navigate life after service alone. This summit was built by women veterans, for women veterans—grounded in real experience, trusted expertise, and the belief that when we come together, we are stronger, clearer, and more prepared for whatever comes next.

Agenda 

Friday June 5th Foundations & Health

3:00 PM – 09:00 PM

 Friday: Foundations & Health * VA Claims 101 – Understand how to file a claim, what an “intent to file” means, how Nexus letters work, what to expect during exams, and realistic timelines. *Ask the Doc: Women’s Health by Life Stage – Direct access to healthcare professionals covering key health milestones from your 20s through menopause and beyond. *Welcome Reception – Hawaiian Luau – Wear your grass shirts, Hawaiian shirts and connect with fellow women veterans in a relaxed waterfront setting as we kick off the weekend together.

Saturday – Purpose, Planning & Possibility

09:00 AM  – 04:00 PM

Saturday:  Purpose, Planning & Possibility Opening Session & Keynote – Set the tone for a day focused on growth and direction. Operation Mindset – Learn how to translate military experience into confidence, clarity, and momentum for your next chapter. · Mission Forward – Strategic goal planning to help you move from intention to execution. Lunch & Pop-Up Market – Support veteran-owned businesses and community partners. Breakout Tracks – Choose the path that aligns with where you are now: Entrepreneurship – Before you form an LLC: business models, customer discovery, and problem-solution fit. Career Readiness – Resume alignment, job descriptions, and beating the keyword game. Leadership & Advocacy – Turn lived experience into leadership, influence, and impact. VA Education Benefits – Degrees, certifications, credentialing, and building a realistic education plan. Advanced Life Planning – Advance care planning, medical directives, survivor benefits, and honoring your wishes.

Flyer – Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs - Women's Veterans Advisory Council Flyer

Hotel – Summit @ The Westin, Tampa Bay

FDVA Women Veterans Summit Read More »

Mrs. Patricia A. Green

Surviving Spouse Corner – March 2026

Surviving Spouse / By

By Pat Green
Networks and Friendships
At our last Surviving Spouse Advisory Council meeting, the subject of communications came up. Some members espoused Facebook; others embraced LinkedIn, a text trail, or email groups. I can say good things about them all, depending on the size of the group and the message.
Still, the need for a personal connection exists.
My favorite means of communication remains a telephone call. Nothing brightens the day like a call from an old friend. A memory shared or a laugh exchanged lifts the spirits. Personal communications build strong families and good friends, and create great institutions and cohesive organizations.
Personal interaction between Chapter members provides opportunities to build friendships, exchange ideas and share experiences.
I have just returned from my annual Council Leadership Training/Convention. At an event like that, you feel the connection of shared experiences and our shared purpose. But you feel more. It’s the hugs exchanged, the appreciation of each member and their contributions, and the connection to the MOAA Leaders and staff that attend. It was an experience that energizes and renews your commitment.
Your Council and Chapter create a cohesive network for the work of MOAA. They also provide a setting for friendships to flourish.
This shared affinity should be practiced in your Chapter. The Chaplain and the Surviving Spouse Liaison serve as a personal outreach to each member. Their role is very important.
A Chapter member who lives alone and has no local family member needs a Chapter friend or neighbor to exchange a greeting with each day. It could be as simple as texting “Good Morning” and a thumbs up response. The greeter and responder should share contact information for their next of kin in the event that the greeting is not returned.
I know of one Chapter that has created such a program. They call it Buddy Check. This topic might be a good discussion point for your next meeting.
Also, the Chapter should have a list of emergency contacts for its members in case a member becomes ill at a meeting. I personally experienced two situations where that information would have been helpful.
Please…Keep caring. Keep advocating! Keep in touch! Keep connected. And “Never Stop Serving”.

Surviving Spouse Corner – March 2026 Read More »

Lorraine Holland

President’s Message – March 2026

Presidents Message / By

I was reminded waking up two Saturdays ago of the high price our most precious of patriotic Americans paid in Operation Epic Fury. Please send extra prayers to the families of the American services members who have been killed or wounded. For those of you who have upcoming overseas trips, I urge you to register your travel information before you depart with https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/smart-traveler-enrollment-program .html In my past travels I found it extremely helpful when the State Department sent me very specific alerts, informative messages, and locations of the nearest Embassy/Consulate during my overseas trips. The main State Government website is https://travel.state.gov .

By the looks of the new buds coming out on my Bald Cypress trees, I believe Spring has Sprung in Central Florida! Luckily, we are turning our clocks forward on March 8h to give us an extra hour of sunshine for all the new growth that is occurring. I’m wishing you all the luck of the Irish on
March 17th, and don’t forget to “Welcome Home” our Vietnam Veterans on their special National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29th. Mark your calendar for March 10th as we are having our monthly luncheon with special guest speaker Navy veteran and past American Legion District
Commander Kurt Gies, the Founder and Executive Director of Challenge22. www.Challenge22Inc.com exists to end veteran suicide by raising awareness and funding programs that save veterans’ lives.

If it’s been a while since you’ve attended one of our MOAA Central Florida Chapter luncheons, please reserve April 11th (our only Saturday luncheon) to come out and celebrate our JROTC Scholarship Cadets, their family and cadre. This is my favorite luncheon event as it’s an opportunity to showcase the achievements of our future military leaders and recognize them with the generous financial donations from our chapter members. Lastly, I know there are chapter members who don’t always come to our luncheons and thus may not get a reminder that the $20 membership dues we each pay to support our chapter are now overdue. We rely on the dues to help pay for items such as meals for our guest speakers, and other operating costs such as our Chapter Insurance policy. You will find the form to send in your $20 on the last page of the Focus, or go to www.moaacfc.org and click the “Donate” link. We need your support, and while you are at it, please update your information (especially your spouse) so we can keep in touch! For those celebrating Easter, I wish each of you a joyous Easter celebration on April 1st! I hope to see you all on March 10th for your monthly Chapter Luncheon!
Cheers, Lorraine

President’s Message – March 2026 Read More »

President’s Message – MOAA Florida Council of Chapters

Mail / By

COL Steve Bond, USA (Ret)

I can’t believe October is here. Fall is my favorite time of year in Florida. I love it when the weather cools…at least slightly—and it doesn’t seem like a sauna when you go outside! The past few months have been busy ones across the Council as we supported MOAA’s Summer Advocacy in Action (AiA) efforts and continued to prepare for our combined January 2026 Leadership Training Seminar and 49th Annual Convention (LTS-C). More on both of those below.

Out and About: I had some great visits over the summer—See the pictures on page 2. Ancient City Chapter invited all of the Northeast Area Chapters to an Officers Call at the National Guard Officers Club in St. Augustine—Nice event(!); Nassau Co. Chapter hosted a visit by MOAA President and CEO, Lt. Gen. Kelly (USAF, Ret)—They also invited the Northeast Area Chapters and a nearby Georgia Chapter; and, the Council was represented at the Florida National Guard Leadership Conference in Palm Beach Springs—The National Guard Conference gave us an opportunity to share the many wonderful things we do across the state and in our communities with the Florida Guard Officers, and invite them to join MOAA and our chapters. Gatherings of MOAA Members are always special and I want to thank Sarah McLevy, President of the Ancient City Chapter, and Tony LaVecchia, our Council VP and President of the Nassau Co. Chapter for sharing their chapter events with neighboring chapters—This is what “Camaraderie with a Purpose” is all about!

MOAA’s Summer Advocacy in Action (AiA) Campaign had our Legislative Advocacy mission front-and-center. The month of August is traditionally the time when our Senators and Representatives return to their home districts to meet with constituents. Many chapters set up meetings with their representatives, and we encouraged chapter members to contact their legislators through MOAA’s Legislative Action Center to remind them that we take care of the serving military, other veterans, and their families, and we vote! Council Legislative Chair, Pierre Louis, has more about the summer efforts and pending legislation in his article on page 6, and you’ll see some of the chapter supporting activities highlighted in the “Chapter News” section of this newsletter. We encourage all of you, your families, friends, and neighbors to sign up in the Legislative Action Center (at https://moaa.quorum.us/) and send the prepared emails to our legislators. Anyone can sign up to “be an advocate!”

You should know by now that registration is open for our 49th Annual Convention and Leadership Training Seminar (LTS-C) occurring from 29-31 January 2026 at the Rosen Centre in Orlando. It is shaping up to be an affordable, fun, and memorable event for all MOAA members, not just leaders. We expect MOAA Chairman of the Board, Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser (USMC, Ret) to be attending and our guest speaker, along with Amanda Centers, MOAA Vice President for MOAA Charities, and CAPT Frank Michael (USN, Ret), MOAA’s Senior Director for Councils and Chapters. In addition to informative workshops, there are opportunities for golfing, visiting the parks, playing for charity at our Casino Night fundraiser for The MOAA Foundation, a memorial service for those members we lost in 2025, and a Military-themed “Dining Out” sponsored by MOAA. Our January event is now one of the largest gatherings of MOAA members in the country, so plan to be there! As in the past, we need both chapter and member support for this event to be successful. Council VP Tony LaVecchia and Pat Kluever, our Immediate Past President and Event Chairman have more in their articles on page 3 and 5. Go to our website at www.FLMOAA.org to register.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather, make sure to TAKE ACTION with our legislators, and register for the Leadership Training Seminar and Convention–I look forward to seeing many of you there!

President’s Message – MOAA Florida Council of Chapters Read More »

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Seal

Veteran’s Field Guide to Government Shutdown

Veteran Benefits, Special News / By

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates 97 percent of VA employees continue to work during a shutdown,
according to the VA Human Capital Contingency Plan. VA is committed to provide quality, consistent care and services
to Veterans, families, Caregivers, and Survivors. VA’s mission allows no exception to this standard even when operations
are limited by the absence of appropriations (commonly known as a “Government shutdown”).

Click here to view the complete guide in Adobe PDF format

MOAA Article What the Shutdown Means for Troops, Retirees, Veterans, and Families

By: Kevin Lilley

OCTOBER 01, 2025

The clock ran out on the federal budget process at midnight Tuesday, shutting down the government for the first time since a 2018-19 funding lapse that lasted more than a month.

While MOAA presses lawmakers to restore funding and to protect servicemember pay during the closure, you’ll find details on how the shutdown affects all who serve and have served, and their families, below. This page will be updated with new information as available.

Jump to:

Currently Serving and Families

Service members will report to duty during the shutdown but won’t be paid until funding is restored. Oct. 1 paychecks, drawn from funds budgeted for last fiscal year, were processed, but Oct. 15 checks won’t be processed without funding or other legislation.

The Pentagon’s shutdown contingency plan outlines the full scope of ongoing operations, to include furloughs for hundreds of thousands of civilians. Some key details from the plan and other sources:

  • Elective and routine medical procedures at military facilities may be canceled or postponed; contact your provider to confirm your appointment. The shutdown will not affect military families using TRICARE or TRICARE For Life benefits in the private sector.
  • Military pharmacies will remain open; however, hours may be subject to change.
  • Commissaries and exchanges will remain open, as will mess halls, gyms, and child care facilities “required for readiness.” Military personnel may replace furloughed civilians to allow for continuation of other services deemed “necessary or appropriate.” Facility and program closures, at least in the early hours of the shutdown, varied by installation.
  • “Community and public outreach programs” such as concerts, military airshow appearances, and similar events that are not fully funded with non-appropriated funds (NAF) will be canceled or postponed.
  • Death gratuity payments will continue. This is a change from the prior shutdown resulting from language in the 2021 appropriations legislation.
  • Department-run schools will remain in session, but extracurricular activities will be canceled unless paid for by non-appropriated funds. This could include sports practices and games, concerts, and similar events.
  • Some training for service members may be canceled or delayed if the instructor is a civilian. Contractor-led training may continue if the instructor is being paid from funds earmarked from the prior fiscal year.
  • PCS moves and temporary duty travel will be delayed unless they involve supporting “exempted activity” or are deemed “essential to mission.”
  • Traditional National Guard drills may be canceled, though mobilized Guard and Reserve members, like their active duty counterparts, would report for duty.
  • Active duty family members under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will remain covered. Premiums will be deducted from retroactive pay when posted.

Retirees and Survivors

  • Armed services retirees, to include Coast Guard retirees, will continue to receive retiree pay during the funding lapse. Officers who retired from the U.S. Public Health Service or NOAA would not receive their next paycheck (Oct. 1 checks, covering pay from September, were processed).
  • Commissaries and exchanges will remain open.
  • Elective and routine medical procedures at military facilities may be canceled or postponed; contact your provider to confirm your appointment. The shutdown will not affect retirees using TRICARE or TRICARE For Life benefits in the private sector.
  • Military pharmacies will remain open, but hours may change.
  • Survivor Benefit Plan payments will continue.
  • Retirees and survivors covered under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) won’t be affected. Federal employees whose FEDVIP premiums are deducted from their federal pay will retain coverage; their premiums will be deducted from retroactive pay when posted. 

Veterans/VA

The VA’s contingency planning website contains full updates on the department’s status during the funding lapse. Some key points:

  • Health care facilities will remain open.
  • Education, housing, disability, and other VA benefits will continue.
  • Burials will continue at VA cemeteries, as will applications and related processing (except for pre-need burial applications). Grounds maintenance and headstone placement will be delayed.
  • Transition and career counseling services will stop, and regional benefits offices will close.
  • The primary call center (1-800-MyVA411), crisis line (988, press 1), and VA benefit hotline (1-800-827-1000) will remain open. GI bill and cemetery-applicant assistance lines will close.

Financial Support

More Links and Resources

Veteran’s Field Guide to Government Shutdown Read More »

FBI Seal

FBI Warns Seniors about Billion-Dollar Scam Draining Retirement Funds

Communique', FBI Warning / By

FBI warns Seniors about Billion Dollar Scam that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) scam has been used to drain entire life savings or retirement accounts has become “devastating” for seniors. FBI Los Angeles on July 15 sent out a reminder about the Phantom Hacker Scam, which has cost Americans over $1 billion since at least 2024, according to the agency. The FBI said the scam targets senior citizens and warns that victims could lose their “life savings.” The scam operates in three phases: a “tech support impostor,” “financial institution impostor” and a “US government impostor.”

In the first phase, a tech support impostor will contact victims through text, phone call or email, then direct them to download a program allowing the scammer remote access to their computer. Then, the scammer asks victims to open their financial accounts to “determine whether there have been any unauthorized charges,” which the FBI says, “is most lucrative for targeting.” Afterwards, the scammer will choose an account to target, then tell the victim they will get a call for further instructions from the “fraud department” of the bank hosting their account.

In the second phase, the financial institution impostor will then call the victim and inform them that their funds have been “accessed by a foreign hacker” and must be moved to a “safe” third party account. Victims are then instructed to send the money via wire transfer, cash or cryptocurrency, and are told to send “multiple transactions over a span of days or months.”

In the third phase of the scam, the victim could be contacted by someone posing as a U.S. government employee, who prompts the individual to move their funds to an “alias” account for protection.

In addition, scammers are using AI to get personal information with some of their tactics, targeting people with specific interests they have. It’s been happening with scammers going into our MOAA Chapter website (and the MOAA FL Council website) to write emails as if they are the President asking for chapter members to send gift cards. In the article, an example was given that seniors are posting things on Facebook or other Social Media, and in this case, a senior said they’re a “Corvette” Collector. The criminals are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to look for that type of characteristics and profiles. And they’ll send you an email or a message saying, ‘hey, that Corvette that you ordered a month ago is now available for immediate delivery if you pay a delivery fee of $500, you can get it delivered right away.” The senior may very well have ordered a Corvette and says, ‘well, I’m a Corvette collector. Maybe I was forgetful to pay the delivery fee.” This is a simplistic example, and I can well imagine AI is using Amazon or E-Bay information to also scam buyers.

FBI Warns Seniors about Billion-Dollar Scam Draining Retirement Funds Read More »

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