“Healing Through Expression” was invited to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Veterans Appreciation Celebration held by the Orlando Region Realtors Association on November 7th, 2025. Our featured artist was Kathy Redmond, who creates exquisite paper flowers and paintings. This event was well attended, and there was plenty of interest in this worthwhile project.
Yellow Ribbon Veterans Appreciation Celebration Read More »
November is the month of Thanksgiving and each of us has so much to be thankful for.
Sometimes, the wearies of the world will overcome us, but this month is the time to look forward and be hopeful. Each day we should examine and find at least 3 things to be grateful for. It’s easy if you start with…
The warmth of the sun, a breath of fresh air, a new day to fill with activities, new conversations, and accomplishments.
These are givens, but each of us has so many more. Concentrate on your many blessings and share your joy. I am looking forward to the Holidays and the preparations. One of the things I can do in advance is contribute to Wreaths across America.
This year Wreaths across America will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025
Wreaths of greenery and a red bow will be laid on graves of veterans at over 4,800 cemeteries nationwide. The event is free and open to the public at these locations. You can be a participant by volunteering to place wreaths or sponsoring a wreath to honor our American Heroes. What a lovely way to give thanks for the courage and honor of a loved one. If you wish to order a wreath, they are $17. The deadline to make your order is December 1, 2025. Some cemeteries allow for a specific grave placement; some cannot because of lack of volunteers working. Check information for the location that interests you.
go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Surviving Spouse Corner – November 2025 Read More »
The Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season is almost upon us. For many who have lost a loved this last year it can be an emotionally hard time. Even the second holiday season can be difficult. It is my hope that the poem “Epitaph” by Merrit Malloy can be helpful. I have found it so.
Epitaph
When I die give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die. Cry for your brother walking the street beside you,
And when you need me, put your arms around anyone
And give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved,
And if you cannot give me away, at least let me live on your eyes and not on your mind.
You can love me most by letting hands touch hands,
By letting bodies touch bodies, and by letting go of children that need to be free.
Love doesn’t die; People do.
So, when all that’s left of me is love … Give me away.
Chaplain’s Corner – November 2025 Read More »
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
President’s Message – November 2025 Read More »
Protect your Health and Wealth: Long Term Care Considerations for Spouses and Surviving Spouses
Suppose you might suffer a debilitating accident or a devastating stroke (these affect both young and old) and you are unable to care for yourself, temporarily or permanently. You may think “How would I handle that”? First, with God’s grace and family involvement; second with pre-planning. Consider the information that follows.
Most likely these will be higher for 2025. This is not petty cash. Outlays, such as these, require careful planning.
Fortunately, there are some ways to handle these expenses. Start early if you can.
Ways to Pay
Insurance products
A Long Term Care insurance policy may cover home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing facilities. Your age, health metrics, and amount of coverage desired establish the premium base. Both the premium and the coverage can have inflation increments built in. These premiums are much more affordable in the mid-40’s or 50’s ages.
Hybrid Life Insurance with a long term care rider may be purchased. The policy accelerates the death benefit as you use it. The any remaining policy value passes to beneficiaries as a death benefit.
Self -funding
An annuity you own may offer a long term care payout, or a guaranteed income stream that can be applied to health costs.
Use your personal savings, investment accounts, or retirement accounts to pay for care.
Convert your homestead and/or vacation home to a rental to create an income stream. These are emotional decisions. BUT, your home or vacation home may no longer be suitable for the new reality of your living needs. Use a professional to establish the lease, price, and conditions. It may be possible to preserve that family reunion tradition by carving out that time frame from the leases. Review any income tax complications this action may pose.
Reverse Mortgages are a possibility for those over 62. These convert your home equity into tax free income which you can use to pay for care. These products are extremely complicated depending on your long term housing needs and financial situation. Ask a lot of questions.
Your assets are your tools to finance your new life situation. Most state and federal programs require you to spend them down before you use their aid. Please seek the advice of your family, a financial planner, or trusted advisor before you act.
Safety nets
Medicaid is a federal government program administered by the states. It covers long term care for those with limited income and assets. States have their unique guidelines but most require a spenddown of assets before applying for aid. Speak to an Elder law attorney or advisor. They may be able to help preserve some of your estate before qualifying for eligibility. The states have different requirements on assets, income caps, and state residency. Also, not all Nursing facilities accept Medicaid.
Aid and Attendance is a means tested benefit available to Qualifying veterans and their spouses. This assistance should be explored with a Veteran Service Officer.
Thoughtful analysis of preparations and solutions for life’s possibilities can help you ask intelligent questions, make informed decisions, and attend to needs. Your actions will benefit you and your family.
Surviving Spouse Corner
Patricia Green, Surviving Spouse Liaison
Surviving Spouse Corner – October 2025 Read More »
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 »