Today, MOASWF presented a check for $1,500 to Naples Dental Boutique to help pay for critical dental treatment for U.S. Army and Vietnam War veteran, David Patterson.  The Veterans Administration does not cover this dental treatment.  The $1,500 was obtained by MOASWF via a grant from the Military Officers Association of America.  David is the second Southwest Florida veteran who has been able to receive critical dental treatment via a partnership between MOASWF and the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF).  MOASWF and WVRF will continue working to find ways to fund critical dental treatment for Southwest Florida veterans who otherwise would not be able to receive that care.

Each year, MOASWF presents an awards banquet to honor one deserving rising senior Army JROTC Cadet from each Collier County High School.  The 2024 Banquet was held on 10 May at Glen Eagle Golf and Country Club, who did a fabulous job of hosting the event.  MOASWF members, the honored Cadets, their parents, and the Army instructors from each of the eight Collier County programs are invited to attend.  At a separate ceremony at each high school, each honored Cadet had received a MOAA Certificate and medal in recognition of their accomplishments.  Hearing the Senior Army Instructors talk about the character and accomplishments of their respective honored Cadets was both impressive and uplifting.  Congratulations to those honored Cadets!

 

The 56th Military Ball took place on February 17 and was held at the Naples Hilton.

The theme was “Honoring the Last of the Greatest Generation. Dancing was provided by The Uptown Express Group.

The Menu was Barolo Braised Beef Short Ribs, Herb Roasted Salmon, Garlic Yukon Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Green Beans and a Salad.

To View the Photo Gallery – Click Here

To View the Photo Booth Photos – Click Here

 

 

Thomas Tellier is a military veteran living in Southwest Florida, having served as a U. S. Army medic from 1984 to 1988.  Tom needed significant dental work but had no dental insurance and was unable to afford the dental fees on his own.

Enter MOASWF.  Earlier this year, our Chapter applied for a grant through the MOAA Community Outreach Grant program.  The grant application described a new partnership between MOASWF and the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF) and was approved for $1,500.  WVRF is headquartered on the east coast of Florida and was seeking to expand its dental assistance program to other areas of Florida, including Southwest Florida.

Now, through the joint efforts of MOASWF and WVRF, Tom is receiving the dental care he desperately needed, right here in Southwest Florida.  The Page Family Dental Group in Naples is providing this dental care to Tom at a significant fee discount, covered in full through funding from WVRF and the $1,500 grant secured by MOASWF.  Our Chapter is proud of its partnership with WVRF (Board Member ADM Jerry Johnson is also a member of the WVRF Advisory Board) and is proud to provide such vital support to a Southwest Florida veteran.

The 2023 JROTC Awards Banquet presented by MOASWF was held on 12 May at Glen Eagle Golf and Country Club.

The banquet honors JROTC cadets who are rising seniors in Collier County high schools and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and performance in their respective high school JROTC programs.

Pictured here (L-R) are COL Ian Falk, Cadet Leland Von Holle, Cadet Mary Benson, COL Michael Shoen, Cadet Aramis Rivera, and MAJ John Sarnecky.