The Mid-Missouri Chapter of The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a non-profit veterans association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring our nation keeps its commitments to currently serving, retired, and former members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors. We also foster fraternal relations among our members and their families. We also support our community and our nation. Membership is open to those who hold or have ever held a warrant or commission in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, NOAA and Space Force and their surviving spouses.

Membership in the MOAA Chapter is open to anyone who holds or has ever held a commission or warrant in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or Space Force and their surviving spouses. Dues are $15 per year. If interested in joining, contact any of the officers to receive a membership application. President: Barbara Churchill, Major, USA bchurchill@tranquility,com; VP Walter Lantzy, LtC, USA wlantzy@aol.com; Secretary: Bill Boston, Colonel, USAF wboston@centurytel.net; Treasurer: Bob Smith, Capt, USN rcsmith1961@cs.com. To receive a informational brochure on our chapter with an application, contact Raymond Ruetsch, LtCol, USAF at ruetschray@aol.com.

Socials with catered meal and guest speakers from the military, government, and business world are held in March, June, September, and December with December being a formal dinner and installation of officers for the following year. Three of the socials are held in Columbia and one in New Bloomfield (near Jefferson City). See General Information section for more detailed activities of the chapter

FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON NATIONAL ISSUES, SEE THE NATIONAL MOAA WEBSITES MOAA Take Action Website: http://www.moaa.org/takeaction/ and MOAA Legislative Update Website: http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/. Members work closely with the Missouri State Veteran Commission and elected officials to help promote veterans'  issues and military causes. Members are kept updated on current political issues at all levels through the quarterly newsletter.  

Charity and Military Support: In the past we have supported deployed troops with our Adopt-a Platoon Program. Donations collected at the quarterly socials would go towards purchasing and shipping items that our deployed troops could use (toiletries, suntan lotion, lip balm, cookies, books, etc). Over 2000 pounds were shipped in this program. Since the decrease in deployments, our emphasis has shifted to Adopt-A-Project where money collected is donated to charities that are military related. In the past we have donated to the Missouri POW/MIA Museum, Wreaths Across America, Military Morning meals, Welcome Home to support Homeless Vets, and Toys for Tots. Members assist in organizing the Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, provides wreaths to be placed in the Memorial Monument Circle at Boone County Court House, and conduct the Memorial Service. Provide bell ringers for the Salvation Army. Annually honor a community leader who also contributes to the military community. Each year we present awards and plaques to outstanding ROTC cadets/midshipmen at: University of Missouri Columbia; Lincoln University; Truman State University; Missouri Military Academy; Moberly High School; and Smith-Cotton High School

The Mid-Missouri Chapter serves the eight county area of Mid-Missouri (Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Randolph). If you would like a copy of our newsletter, email ruetschray@aol.com. EDITORIAL POLICY: The Mid-Missouri Chapter, which is an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its affiliated chapters and councils are nonpartisan.