We’ve received notice of our Chapter receiving yet another 5 STAR Levels of Excellence Award from MOAA National for calendar year 2024! This is MOAA’s most prestigious award honoring chapters and councils for their efforts across the full scope of the MOAA mission.
Our Southwest Florida Chapter held its 57th Military Ball on 8 March 2025 at the Hilton Naples. The theme for the Ball was “Honoring Military Wives” which we did by way of a “Cinderella Celebration” for the ladies, complete with tiara’s and handmade gifts (primarily through the creativity and hard work of member Charlene Lonick). Dance music was provided by Uptown Express and we again had outstanding support from Collier County High School JROTC Cadets. A great time was had by all!
Here is a link to the 2025 Military Ball photos:
https://charliemcdphoto.smugmug.com/2025-03-08-CE-Military-Ball
Our Chapter recently received a grant for $3,000 from the Vasari Cares Foundation in Bonita Springs. In cooperation with the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, this grant will be used to offset the cost of critical dental care for a Southwest Florida military veteran. This is not for routine dental care; rather, this is for critical dental care that, if left untreated, would likely lead to more serious overall health issues. Veterans selected for this program cannot afford dental insurance and are not eligible for VA dental care. Once identified, this will be the third veteran our Chapter has supported in this way.
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!
During the President’s Reception at the Florida Council of Chapters (FCOC) Annual Convention in Daytona Beach Shores on 13 May, MOASWF was presented a MOAA 5-STAR Levels of Excellence Award for CY2023. The 5-STAR LOE is MOAA’s most prestigious affiliate award, honoring councils and chapters for their efforts across the full scope of the association’s mission. Pictured (l-r) are Gen. Gary North (MOAA Chairman), Maj. Jeff Cahoon (MOASWF President), Col. Gary Nolan (Southwest Area VP) and Cmdr. Pat Kluever (FCOC President)
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.
Quite a number of MOASWF Members participated in events in Southwest Florida over Veterans Day weekend, either representing our Chapter or as part other organizations that honor veterans. One such event was held at Valencia Trails 55+ community in Naples, their first such event. Jeff Cahoon, MOASWF President, spoke at this event attended by Valencia Trails residents who were veterans of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Some World War 2 uniform items were on display courtesy of America’s Military and 1st Responders Museum in Naples. Another event attended by veterans, including several MOASWF members, was held at Manatee Elementary School. This event to honor local veterans included the posting of service flags, readings, and patriotic songs, all accomplished in an outstanding manner by the students themselves! Fabulous event! Do yourself and a favor and attend this event in 2024!
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.
A Board member from our MOASWF Chapter routinely attends the monthly meeting of the Collier County Veterans Council. At the 20 August meeting, County Commissioner Burt Saunders presented an update on progress toward Collier County’s planned veterans’ nursing home. The nursing home will be located on the northeast corner of the 165-acre golf course at Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard. Commissioner Saunders reported that Collier County approved setting aside $10 million for the construction of additional square footage to provide adult day care and outpatient therapy. This money would come from the 1-cent sales surtax approved by voters in the 2018 for a variety of projects. The local money would be contingent upon the Florida State Legislature earmarking $10 million in the 2024 session. The County earlier pledged $30 million for the project. Commissioner Saunders said County leaders want this nursing home to be a showcase for veterans’ nursing homes of the future. The approval for the project from the federal VA should come in 2025 and design work would take one year throughout 2026. Construction should take up to 18 months, putting completion in 2027 or 2028. Collier County is home to roughly 23,000 veterans.