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As a 501(c)19, Veteran Organization, the
Northwest Florida Military Officers
Association solely focuses on the needs of
those presently serving and those who have
served. Our recent Community Outreach
initiatives include:
2018:
Veterans Stand Down; 2019:
Purchased kitchen equipment for One
Hopeful Place Homeless Shelter; 2020,
2021, & 2022:
Purchased commissary gift cards for
distribution to E4 and below enlisted
families at Thanksgiving; 2022, we
partnered with the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) and purchased and placed
wreaths on Veterans’ graves. In 2023,
we again purchased gift cards for junior
enlisted families, partnered with the DAR, and
unveiled a new initiative…Valentines for
Vets. Please help us to continue our
work in the community in 2024 by clicking
the donation link in the top menu above.
2024
NWFMOA Participates in Wreaths
Across America
(December
14, 2024)
Again
this year, the NWFMOA participated in the
laying of wreaths honoring those veterans
who have passed. The cermonies were held at
the Beal Cemetery with
many other civic-minded in our community as
part of Wreaths Across America.
Click HERE for all
28 pictures.
NWFMOA Celebrates the Holidays
with their Annual Military Ball
(December
12, 2024)
Again
this year, the NWFMOA held its annual
military ball.
Click HERE for all 34 pictures.
NWFMOA Presents Commissary
Gift Cards to Area First Sergeants
For the fifth year in a row, the NWFMOA has
given commissary gift cards to area First
Seargeants to distribute as needed to E-4
and below families for the holidays.
Below are pictures of those events.
(December
12, 2024)
(December
11, 2024)
(December 6, 2024)
OPUS ONE performs for the NWFMOA
(December 5, 2024)
Opus One thrilled the members of the NWFMOA
with their annual Christmas song medley.
Click HERE for all 27 pictures.
President Fran Hendricks Presents Lunch
Speaker Kim Jackson with NWFMOA Coin (November
7, 2024)
Kim Jackson, Director of the Eglin
Commissary and our featured speaker,
receives the NWFMOA chapter coin from
President Fran Hendricks.
President Hendricks presents $8,500 Check to
the Eglin Commissary (November 7, 2024)
The NWFMOA presented a check to Kim Jackson
to be used to purchase Commissary Gift Cards
for E-4 and below families. The cards
will be given out by First Sergeants at area
bases during the holiday season.
Les Matheson Receives DAR Award (November 7, 2024)
NWFMOA member Les Matheson received the
Bronze Medal of Distinction from the DAR.
Karl Eschmann receives DAR Award (November
7, 2024)
Karl Eschmann received the DAR Outstanding
Veteran Volunteer Award from the DAR.
Pictured below are Charlotte and Karl
Eshmann with the DAR representative.
Pictured below are DAR members with award
winners Les Matheson and
Karl Eschmann.
Officers Call at Doc's Oyster Bar and Grill (October
31, 2024)
Several NWFMOA members enjoyed officers Call
at Doc's Oyster Bar and Grill on October 31,
2024.
NWFMOA's B/G Patt Maney Awarded Eagle
Scouts' Highest Honor (October 25, 2024)
NWFMOA member and Florida State
Representative Brig Gen Patt Maney pictured
with his wife, Mrs. Caroline Maney.
NWFMOA member and
Florida State Representative Thomas
Patterson "Patt" Maney received the
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA)
during a National Eagle Scout Association
(NESA) court of honor, hosted by Scouting
America's Gulf Coast Council. The DESA is
NESA’s highest honor for Eagle Scouts and,
out of 2.7 million Eagle Scout recipients,
has only been awarded to an estimated 2,500
individuals in 55 years (< 1%).
For more information, click HERE.
Installation of Flag Poles at Baker School
(October 10, 2024)
NWFMOA Scholarship Fund President, Dave
Parisot, and Chapter President, Fran
Hendricks, stand below the new flagpoles at
Baker School. The new poles were funded in
part by an Educational
Support Grant from the Scholarship Fund.
The Army JROTC program celebrated the
installation of new flagpoles at the front
of the school. This project, costing
approximately $7,500, was made possible
through community support.
Contributors to the flagpole project
included Adam's Sanitation, local Veterans'
organizations, and several community
leaders. Among the donors were the American
Legion Emerald Coast Chapter, Sons of the
American Revolution Fort Walton Beach
Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars,
Northwest Florida Military Officers
Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Individual contributors included John Cahoon, Okaloosa School
Board Member Linda Evanchyk, County
Commissioner Nathan Boyles, and Dave
Parisot.
The flagpoles were funded in part through an NWFMOA
Scholarship Fund Educational Support
Grant.
Shown above are Dave Parisot,
President of the NWFMOA Scholarship Fund
and Fran Hendricks, President of the
NWFMOA.
Dave Parisot stands with the Army JROTC members at the
flagpole dedication at Baker School.
Special Operations Forces Foundation
Fundraiser (October 5, 2024)
The SOF
Foundation held a fundraising dinner to
raise funds for scholarships. NWFMOA Members
in attendance pictured are Howard Fisher,
Jim Shoff, Fred Shor, Fran Hendricks, and
Paul Singleton. The Harley-Davidson bike was
the grand prize of the event. None of them
won it.
Memorial Service for GEN Gary Luck
Les Matheson and Patt Maney attended the Memorial
Service for GEN Gary Luck, US Army Retired.
Les played the bagpipes in a fitting send
off to a great warrior/leader. (Not
pictured, but also in attendance was Fran
Hendricks).
DAR’s Constitution Week Celebration (September 17-23,
2024)
Photo is from the local DAR’s Constitution Week
Celebration. Pictured are NWFMOA members
Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson and
Paul Singleton ringing the bells. Not
pictured are Les Matheson and Fran
Hendricks. Fran was the keynote speaker for
this annual event which celebrates the
signing of the US Constitution.
Crispy Warriors (September 5, 2024)
Gen and Mrs Kelly’s first stop on their NWFMOA 65th Anniversary Visit was
breakfast with the Crispy Warriors. Also
going the group was COL Steve Bond, FCoC
President. Many NWFMOA members are also
Crispy Warriors.
Col David Skalicky, 33rd Fighter Wing, Speaks At Our
October Lunch,
(October 3, 2024)
President Hendricks presents an NWFMOA
Commemorative coin to Col Skalicky.
History of Women in the Military (October 3,
2024)
Lt Col Elvira Chiccarelli is pictured in the
middle.
General Kelly's Note to the NWFMOA
(September 11, 2024)
NWFMOA Celebrates Its 65th Anniversary (September
5, 2024)
We were honored to have Lt Gen Brian Kelly,
President and CEO of MOAA, his wife, and COL
Steve Bond, President of the Florida Council
of Chapters, join us in the many activities
on our September 5 celebration.
The activities started with an early morning
visit with the Crispy Warriors, a meeting at
the Bob Hope Victory Village, followed by
lunch at the Fort Walton Yacht Club, a Town
Hall meeting at VFW Post 7674 in the
afternoon and the culmination event at the
Air Force Arament Museum in the evening.
 
President Fran Hendricks Swears In Our New
Treasurer, Doug Stauffer, During Our Board
Meeting. (September 4, 2024)
Sam's Club Donates Two Cakes for the NWFMOA
Community Reception (September 4, 2024)
Our local Sam’s Club
graciously donated the two cakes for our
65th Community Reception. Three cooks were
involved in making and designing the cakes:
Kaitlynn, Mariah and Farrah. Below is a
picture of 2nd Vice President Jeff Watson
presenting Farrah with the NWFMOA
Anniversary coin.
Lt Col Christine Keeley, USAF Retired,
Speaks at the NWFMOA Lunch Meeting (August 1, 2024)
Below: Christine Keeley recounts the events
in her AF career leading up to her being the
first female to fly the F-35.
Below: NWFMOA President Fran Hendricks
presents our chapter coin to Lt Col
Christine Keeley.
NWFMOA President Welcomes New 96thTest Wing
Commander
(July 3, 2024)
Brig Gen Patt Maney Speaks to Okaloosa County
Commission on the Status of Women (June 14,
2024)
NWFMOA
member and Florida State Representative,
Brig Gen Patt Maney discussed legislative
updates to the Baker Act and their potential
impact on Florida's mental health system at
the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status
of Women.
D-Day Remembrance (June 6, 2024)
Member Colonel Jeff Watson visits Normandy
on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He is
joined by General North, Chairman of the
Board, MOAA.
View all the pictures by clicking
HERE.
June NWFMOA Lunch Meeting (June 6, 2024)
Above: The NWFMOA members at the lunch
gathered to celebrate the award of the
5-Star awards for 2023: the MOAA Level of
Excellence award and the Marvin Harris
Communications awards for the NWFMOA website
and our monthly publication, The
Defender.
Below: Member Steve Snow gives a
presentation about his time flying Air Force
One and Two while assigned to Andrews AFB.
Below: Scholarship Fund President Dave Parisot
presents certificates to Larry
Tashlik and Bob Gramm for their entry to the Gold Century
Club.
NWFMOA
Officers Call (May 30, 2024)
We celebrated the second Officers Call this
year at Doc’s Oyster Bar. The event was well
attended by 20+ members a great time was had by all. A
couple of members relayed interesting
stories of their days on active duty. In the
above picture are (left to right) Les Matheson,
NWFMOA President Fran Hendricks, Bert
Everhart and Al Stearns.
To view additional pictures, click HERE.
President Fran Hendricks Receives
5-Star Awards for the Chapter, the Website
and our newsletter, The Defender
(May 14, 2024)
This photo is from the 2024 Florida Council
of Chapters (FCoC) Military Ball where
NWFMOA President Fran Hendricks is flanked
by Col Steve Bond, US Army Retired, new FCoC
President and Col John Murphy, USAR Retried,
new FCoC Vice President. NWFMOA was
recognized with three separate 5-Star
Awards…one for the Chapter,
The Defender,
and the Website.
Dave Parisot Attends Commissioning Ceremony (May
3, 2024)
Dave Parisot attended the Commissioning
Ceremony on May 3rd of two former NWFMOA
scholarship recipients at the Mission
Anglican Church in Pensacola.
Anthony Rodas and Kathryn Dunn took
their oaths of office as second lieutenants
following completion of the Army ROTC
program at the University of West Florida.
2LT Rodas graduated from Crestview H.S. and
its Army JROTC program in May, 2020, and was
awarded a $2,500 scholarship by the NWFMOA
Scholarship Fund. He entered the
University of West Florida in the fall of
2020 and graduated from UWF and the Army
ROTC in May 2024. He will serve on
active duty as an Air Defense Artillery
Officer.
2LT Dunn graduated from Crestview H.S. and
its Army JROTC program in May 2021, and was
awarded a $2,500 scholarship by the NWFMOA
Scholarship Fund. She entered the
University of West Florida in the fall of
2021 as a sophomore due to participating in
dual enrollment in high school. She
will serve with the Army Reserves as a
Military Intelligence Officer. Kathryn
plans to go to Law School and eventually
join the Army Judge Advocate General.
We wish both of these new Army officers
great success and well-being as they enter
service to our country.
NWFMOA Scholarship Awards (May 2, 2024)
This year there were four endowed
scholarship awards, six “In memoriam” awards
and two ROTC award totaling $39,500. The Col
William “Bill” Byerley Memorial Scholarship
was presented bill’s wife, Jeanne Rief, to
Cadet Colonel Jade Bradley of the Fort
Walton Beach High School. The Dr. Howard
and Mrs. Irene Fisher Scholarship was
presented to Cadet Victoria Beckworth from
Baker High School. The Dr. Fred and Mrs.
Janet Westfall Scholarship was presented to
Cadet Griffin Woodley from Niceville High
School. The Col Karl and Mrs. Charlotte
Eschmann Scholarship was presented to Cadet
Jacob Bollenbach of Choctaw High School. The
Chong Cha (Kim) Parisot Memorial Scholarship
award was presented to Cadet Reece Sayer of
Navarre High School. The Col Hampton and
Mrs. Nancy Kenaston Memorial Scholarship was
presented to Cadet Alexander Bollenbach of
Choctaw High School. The Major William
“Bill” Van Hoesen Memorial Scholarship was
awarded to Cadet Akadian Campbell of Baker
High School. The Col Troy Dent Memorial
Scholarship was awarded to Cadet Franchesca
Howard from Choctaw High School. The
Col Mel Bryant Memorial Scholarship was
awarded to Cadet Lauren Bage from Choctaw
High School. The Lt Col James “Jim” and Mrs.
Una Heavener Memorial Scholarship was
awarded to Cadet Angelina Romano from Fort
Walton Beach High School. Dave then
presented the two $4,00 scholarships to ROTC
Cadets Jeffrey Tavarez (Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University…Choctaw Grad) and
Cadet Logan Herron (University of
Florida…Navarre Grad). Dave then
recognized our local high school students
who have been accepted into one of the
service academies. President Fran
Hendricks along with academy graduates
Retired Navy Captain Mike Fisher
(Annapolis), Retired Army Major Chris Beam
(West Point), and Former USAF Captain Jim
Shoff (Air Force Academy) presented
certificates of recognition to Cadet Jesse
Lee (Navarre) Cadet Brenner Mavity (Navarre)
and Cadet Gennaro Smith (Navarre). All three
will be attending West Point.
Also recognized were five of our previous
scholarships awardees who will be
commissioned this month: AF 2nd Lieutenant
Kayla McCarthy from USF; Army 2nd
Lieutenants attending USF Kathrynn Dunn and
2nd Lieutenant Anthony Rodas. Not able to
attend today’s ceremony were Army 2nd
Lieutenants Sean Ripley (Texas A&M) of
Niceville High School, Naomi Barr (Marion
Military Institute) of Crestview High School.
For pictures of all award winners,
click
HERE.
Pictures of our members (May 2024)
Photo of NWFMOA President Fran Hendricks
emceeing the AFA Scholarship Awards
Reception at the AF Armament Museum in May.
Fran also serves as the Eglin AFA Education
Foundation Vice President for Scholarships.
AFA awarded 6 scholarships totaling $30,000
to local JROTC and ROTC Cadets.
Photo of NWFMOA member Les Matheson making
an award presentation at Niceville High
School.
Photo of NWFMOA member B/Gen Patt Maney
making an award presentation at Fort Walton
High School.
Photo of NWFMOA member Jim Shoff at this
year's Kentucky Derby with the trainer of
the horse who won.
Valparaiso's Day In The Park (April 27, 2024)
Fellow NWFMOA member Marian McByrde dressed
as Rosie the Riveter during Val-P's Day in
the Park Celebration. Marian has filled this
role for years.
Military Family Appreciation Day (April 20, 2024)
We had a great turnout for Military
Family Appreciation Day at the Fort Walton Beach
Landing today. Fran did his emissary thing
and wooed lots of people to our Zaxby's gift
card give-away. A special thanks for all
those who volunteered to help man the booth:
Fran Hendricks (all day), Fred Westfall, Bob
Gramm, Bob Secrest, Jim Shoff, Dave Parisot,
Rod Gerdes, Jeff Watson and Chaplain Tom
Azar.
All who could score a point in the corn hole
game were given a chance to win a gift card
from our partner, Zaxby's chicken. Dave
Parisot brought a Community Outreach board
with lots of interesting NWFMOA
accomplishments. Additional pictures from
the event can be seen
HERE.
Read Across America (March 1, 2024)
By Jeff Watson, Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
President Joe Biden, Jr, declared March 2,
2024, as Read Across America Day, a day that
fell on Saturday, so educators in Okaloosa
County Schools celebrated on Friday, March
1st. As President Biden states in his
proclamation, “we celebrate the power of
literacy to expand our minds and our
understanding of the world around us.” The
President goes on to explain that
“[r]esearch shows that children who start
school at 3 and 4 years old are more likely
to graduate from high school and further
their education.” Reading is obviously a
part of that education.
March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the
encouragement to read is associated with the
recognition of Dr. Seuss. If you have ever
read a Dr. Seuss book, you might appreciate
the simplicity of its presentation and also
associate the book themes with imaginative
pictures that captivate any young reader. I
had the esteemed pleasure to participate in
the Longwood Elementary School Read Across
America event by reading to two combined
classes of kindergarteners at the invitation
of Longwood Principal Lisa Tucker. While
there, I met her administrative staff and
librarian, as well as two supportive
teachers and their students.
I was given an opportunity to select a book
of my choice from several pre-approved books
in the Longwood library. I saw several Dr.
Seuss books as well as Llama llama books. As
a parent and grandparent, I am familiar with
these books but I do not recall reading
“Pete the Cat” books so I chose the book
with Pete visiting the library. I thought it
perfect for my visit and these little
kindergarteners showed rapt attention. I
engaged them with questions as we proceeded
through the book and I was re-paid with
enthusiasm, raised hands, and responsive
answers, by well-behaved citizens.
As I returned to the library after reading
the book, and was saying farewell, one of
the teachers came in the library to give me
a farewell “thank you” memento from the
students. She asked them to draw something
from the story that they remembered. It was
truly a pleasure to see that they had paid
attention as the artwork reflected how well
they had listened to the story. If you are
ever asked to participate in this annual
school event, I encourage you to accept and
read to the students. I hope that my
participation will encourage them to be
future “readers” too!
Jeff
Watson reads to students at Longwood
Elementary students on Read Across America
Day at Longwood Elementary School.
For additional photos, Click HERE.
Officers Call - Doc's
Oyster Bar (February 29, 2024)
The NWFMOA celebrated Leap Day with an
Officers Call at Doc's Oyster Bar. We
signed up one new member and Doc's made a
donation to our 65th Anniversary banner ad
campaign.
For additional photos of the Officers Call,
click HERE.
Presentation to Emil Pagliari
(February 15, 2024)
Chapter President, Fran Hendricks presents
Major Emil Pagliari, CAP, and owner of The
Shack Restaurant on Hwy 98, Fort Walton
Beach, with two coins from Florida Council
of Chapters President, Pat Kluever. One coin
is the Florida Council of Chapters MOAA coin
and the other is the Mayport MOAA Chapter
coin. These coins were presented as a token
of appreciation to Emil for his restaurant
hosting Frank “Tank” Michael, MOAA National
visit in February 2023 and for hosting Pat
Kluever and the FCoC Leadership team's visit
in November 2023. Emil has also been a
contributor to the NWFMOA Scholarship Fund.
Emil is 90 years young and until recently,
was flying his own private plane. He
epitomizes "The Right Stuff”.
AF JROTC Area Drill Competition
(February 10, 2024)
On February 10, 2024, Dave Parisot attended
drill competition hosted by the Fort Walton
Beach AFJROTC at the Commando Hangar at
Hurlburt Field. This was their first annual
drill competition for six local Air Force
JROTC units. AFJROTC units from Niceville,
Choctawhatchee, Walton, Fort Walton Beach,
Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola High Schools
participated in the drill competition. The
event started at 8:30AM and finished at
approximately 3:00PM. Each team was judged
on several drill components including armed
and unarmed regulation, armed exhibition,
color guard regulation and color guard
specialty.
The FWB AFJROTC plans to continue hosting
this event annually in the upcoming years.
Dave sees potential for the NWFMOA Chapter
and Scholarship Fund to be a sponsor to
defray some of the expenses if future years.
Opening ceremony at JROTC Drill Competition
in the Commando Hangar at Hurlburt Field on
Feb. 10, 2024
Dave Parisot, President of the NWFMOA
Scholarship Fund, Inc., (center) discussed
our Scholarship Programs
with JROTC cadets of Niceville High School
at the Drill Competition at Hurlburt Field
on Feb. 10, 2024
Our 2nd Annual
Valentines for Veterans (January 14,
2024)
NWFMOA carried on its newfound tradition of
Valentines for Veterans. This special
community outreach program which the Chapter
instituted in 2023, was the original idea of
General Ron Folgeman, Air Force Chief of
Staff. By resurrecting this program, the
NWFMOA has become the facilitator for
bringing Longwood Elementary School and the
Air Force Enlisted Village (Bob Hope
Village) together for this annual
celebration on Valentine’s Day.
Once again, this year the students from
Longwood Elementary hand delivered their
Valentines to the residents of Bob Hope
Village. Under the watchful eye of their
teachers and Principal Lisa Tucker, the
students walked from their campus to the Bob
Hope Village to personally present their
handmade Valentines to the anxiously waiting
residents. The students made over 300
Valentines…they wanted to make sure everyone
received one. From the smiles, laughter, and
especially the hugs, this was once again a
resounding success.
In addition to receiving Valentines from the
students, the residents were serenaded by
the Emerald Coast Chorus. As an indication
of the importance of this event to the
community and the school district, Dr Lamar
White, Okaloosa County School Board, was
also in attendance.
Special thanks to Tom Azar, Ray Alexander,
Dick Solt, Dave Parisot, Fred Westfall, Rod
Gerdes, Mel Claxton, Bob Allen, Kim Wintner,
and Fran Hendricks for attending. We also
unveiled our new NWFMOA Chapter Banner…great
job Jim Shoff!
Firsts Sergeants Attend January Luncheon
(January 4, 2024)
First Sergeants from Eglin, Hurlburt Field,
and Duke Field attended the NWFMOA January
lunch meeting. Also joining them was the
President of the Commando Airman & Family
Support Group. They came at the invite of
the Board to meet our members and provide
feedback regarding our Annual Junior
Enlisted Family Commissary Gift Card
program. Each base received a specified
allotment of the 300 Commissary gift cards
we purchased based on their base’s junior
enlisted population. In addition to enjoying
lunch with our members, a First Sergeant
from each base and the President of the
Commando Airman & Family Support Group
addressed the Chapter and shared some short
stories regarding the impact this program
had on those it aims to help. Their words
captured fully what this program means to
the junior enlisted assigned to our local
community.
2023 was the fourth year NWFMOA has
conducted this program. In the first three
years (2021, 2022, 2023), we averaged 189
gift cards purchased. In 2023, that number
skyrocketed to 300 gift cards purchased. We
were able to do this thanks to the $1,500
grant we received from the MOAA Foundation.
We combined that grant with $6,000 we raised
thanks to the generosity of our Chapter
members, local residents, Destin Chamber of
Commerce, Eglin AFA, American Legion Post
235, VFW Post 7674, VFW Auxiliary Post 7674,
Moose Lodge 2193, Emerald Bay Golf Club, and
the Emerald Coast MAC to purchase the 300
Commissary gift cards.
In the recently approved 2024 Goals and
Tasks, the NWFMOA Board set 300 gift cards
as a Chapter goal again for this year.
Donations to the gift card program can be
made year-round. I invite you to visit our
website by going
HERE and then clicking
on the NWFMOA Community Outreach Donation
Form button. There you will find a form in
which a donation can be made.
A First Sergeant from each base and the
President of the Commando Airman & Family
Support Group addressed the Chapter and
shared some short stories regarding the
impact of our Junior Enlisted Family
Commissary Gift Card had on those it aims to
help.
American Legion High School
Oratorical Scholarship Program
(January 7, 2024)
NWFMOA Chapter members Bert Everhart and
Fran Hendricks participated in the American
Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship
Program on Sunday, January 7th at the
American Legion Post 235, Fort Walton Beach.
Bert was a judge and Fran served as a
tabulator. Students from local high schools
participated in the program. Each student
presented a prepared speech (not to exceed
10 minutes) and was required to give an
additional 3-minute speech. The students had
no prior notice of the subject of the
3-minute impromptu speech other than it
would be one of the Amendments to the US
Constitution. The event’s facilitator drew
the envelope containing the Amendment to be
addressed. That Amendment was the 23rd
Amendment which extended the right to
participate in presidential elections to
residents of the District of Columbia. Each
student had 5 minutes to prepare their
3-minute speech.
This is another example of NWFMOA partnering
with likeminded Veteran Organizations.
2023
NWFMOA Participates in Wreaths Across
America
On December 16th, our Chapter
participated in the Wreaths Across America
event at the Beal cemetary. We had 7
NWFMOA members (pictured below) who
participated in laying the wreaths and
NWFMOA members B/Gen Patt Maney and
Dr. Ed Merkle were part of the presentation
ceremonies.
Pictured from left are Fred Westfall, Karl
Eschmann, Jim Shoff, Dave Parisot, Fran
Hendricks, Bob Gramm and Les Matheson.
View all the pictures of the event by
clicking HERE.
NWFMOA Military Ball
On December 14th, our Chapter
wound down our activities by celebrating the
Christmas season at our annual Military
Ball. Shown below are some of those present
wearing their mess dress attire. Attendance
topped 50 this year.
For additional pictures of the Ball, click
HERE.
Gift Cards for Junior Enlisted Families
On December 1st, our Chapter presented more
Commissary gift cards for junior enlisted
families at Duke Field and the 7th
Special Forces Group (A)
(see photos below). (See the November 2023
Defender issue for article and more photos.)
This is the fourth consecutive year that
NWFMOA has done this project to assist young
military families. Started in 2020 with
Community Outreach grants from the
MOAA Foundation,
donations by Chapter members, and donations
by local businesses and military non-profit
organizations, our Chapter has provided a
total of 900 Commissary gift cards of $25
each to enlisted families of ranks E-4 and
below and distributed by the First Sergeants
Associations at Eglin, Hurlburt, the 7th
Special Forces Group (A), the 919SOW First
Sergeants Council, and via the Commando
Airman & Family Support Group at Hurlburt
Field. By partnering with these military
organizations, we better assure that the
neediest junior enlisted families (airmen
and soldiers) in ranks E-4 and below receive
the food purchase assistance provided. The
total monetary value of these Commissary
gift cards is $22,500. THANK YOU to all who
have supported this worthwhile program. We
plan to do it again in 2024.
Dave Parisot and Chapter President Fran
Hendricks presented 25 commissary gift cards
to SMSgt
Censabella of the 919SOW First Sergeant
Council at Duke Field on Dec. 1st.
Dave Parisot and Fran Hendricks
presented 75 Commissary gift cards valued at
$1,875 to First Sergeant James Schultz of
the 7th Special Forces Group (A) on Dec. 1st.
For additional
pictures of the presentation of E4
commissary gift cards, click HERE.
On November 14th and 16th, our Chapter
presented Commissary gift cards for junior
enlisted families at Hurlburt Field and
Eglin Air Force Base (see photos below).
This is the fourth consecutive year that
NWFMOA has done this project to assist young
military families. Started in 2020 with a
grant of $3,575 from the MOAA Foundation and
donations by Chapter members, our Chapter
provided 143 Commissary gift cards of $25
each to enlisted families of ranks E-4 and
below through the First Sergeants
Associations at Eglin, Hurlburt, and the 7th
Special Forces Group (A), and via the
Commando Airman & Family Support Group at
Hurlburt Field. In 2021 we continued this
project with a grant of $3,750 from the MOAA
Foundation plus $1,300 in donations by
Chapter members for a total of $5,050. With
these funds we purchased and distributed 202
Commissary gift cards at $25 each to junior
enlisted families.
With the positive feedback we received from
the multiple First Sergeant Associations, we
continued this program in 2022 and 2023. The
MOAA Foundation Grant in 2022 was $4,000,
plus we added $2,375 of local member and
business donations for a total of $6,375.
This allowed us to purchase and distribute
255 gift cards. Our MOAA Foundation grant
for this program in 2023 was $1,500, but we
added $6,000 in donations from Chapter
members and local businesses for a total of
$7,500. The 300 Commissary gift cards were
distributed as follows: 75 cards each to the
Hurlburt Field First Sergeants Association
($1,875); Eglin First Sergeants Association
($1,875); and, 7th Special Forces Group (A)
First Sergeants Association ($1,875). We
also gave 25 gift cards to the 919th SOW
First Sergeants Council ($625) and 50 gift
cards to the Commando Airman & Family
Support Group at Hurlburt Field ($1,250). By
partnering with these military
organizations, we better assure that the
neediest junior enlisted families (airmen
and soldiers) in ranks E-4 and below receive
the food purchase assistance provided.
In the four years we have done this project,
we have benefited 900 junior enlisted
families. Our sincerest ‘THANK YOU’ to all
who have donated to this program. Current
plans are to continue this program in 2024.
Veterans Stand Down
November was a busy month for our Chapter’s
Community Outreach programs. Okaloosa County
held its annual Veterans’ Stand Down on
Wednesday, November 8th, at the FWB
Fairgrounds. Our NWFMOA Chapter was one of
40 local organizations who provide services
for Veterans with a booth at this event. In
our booth, we had over 1,000 items of new
clothing which we purchased via the $2,800
in grant funds we received last May from the
MOAA Foundation’s Community Outreach Grant
program. Our inventory of clothing items
distributed to male and female Veterans
consisted of 57 pairs of men’s and ladies’
jeans, 10 pairs of sport pants, 32 men’s
T-shirts, 43 ladies’ shirts, 75 pairs of
men’s boxer shorts, 4 jackets, 71 hoodies
for men and women, 40 pairs of shower shoes,
96 sets of stocking caps & gloves, and 612
pairs of crew socks (men and women). The
clothing items were primarily oriented
towards the up-coming colder months. The
clothing items were distributed to over
fifty local Veterans.
Our NWFMOA booth was manned by members Dave
Parisot, Dick Solt, Fran Hendricks, and Karl
Eschmann. We sincerely thank the MOAA
Foundation for providing the funds to
purchase the clothing items.
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Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony |
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The NWFMOA
partnered with
the Daughters of the American
Republic in the
Vietnam Veterans
Recognization Ceremony hosted at the Air
Armament Museum on
November 3rd. President Fran Hendricks,
1st Vice President Karl Eschmann, Jeff
Watson, Patrick Johnson and Les Matheson each spoke during the ceremony.
To view a video of the event, click
HERE.
Membership Recruiting Booth
Our Chapter had an information booth at the
annual Home & Boat Show at the Emerald Coast
Convention Center on September 23rd and
24th.
Just another effort to get our
organization in front of the local community
and businesses to promote our organization
and community service projects.
We were able to contact
about ten potential new members using
our ‘tri-fold member recruiting folder’ Ia
copy is on the NWFMOA website).
A hearty ‘thank you’ to Chapter
members Fran Hendricks, Jim Shoff,
Bob Gramm, Dick Solt, and
Dave Parisot for giving up some of their
weekend time to man the booth.
Pictures below are of Major Dave
Parisot on left and Capt Jim Shoff and Brig
Gen Fran Hendricks, Chapter President, on
right.
NWFMOA Scholarship Awardees Receive
Commissions
In May of 2023, five of our previous
scholarship awardees were commissioned in
three of our military services. 2nd Lt. Cole
Briggs, USAF, was commissioned at the
University of Notre Dame via its AFROTC
program. Cole is a former graduated of Baker
School and Army JROTC. 2nd Lt. Yolanda
Stallworth, USAF, received her commission
via the AFROTC at the University of Central
Florida. She graduated from Niceville H.S.
and its AFJROTC program in 2019. Also, is
2nd Lt. Blayne Johnson of Niceville. He
received one of our ROTC scholarships at the
University of West Florida AFROTC. We also
have 2LT James Webb, U.S. Army, at the
University of West Florida Army ROTC
program. He previously received one of our
JROTC scholarships in 2019 at Crestview H.S.
The Nany Nurse program gains Ensign Sarah
Brown, USN, a former Navarre NJROTC
scholarship recipient in 2019. Sarah
received her nursing degree at Belmont
University and her commission from the NROTC
at Vanderbilt University. Our heartiest
congratulations and best wishes for success
as they pursue their military careers. They
are welcome back to see us at any time.
Annual NWFMOA Scholarship Awards
Our annual Scholarship & Awards Luncheon on
May 4th was very well attended with 97
people and cadets, our highest attendance
ever. We awarded eight scholarships
totaling $25,500 to JROTC cadets at six of
our local high schools plus one scholarship
of $4,000 to a local ROTC cadet at the
University of South Florida. We continued a
program we started last year of naming some
of our scholarships to remember deceased
NWFMOA Chapter members.
Pictures from the 2023 Awards Luncheon can be seen by clicking HERE.
Fort Walton Beach
Memorial Day Service
The morning
started early at 7:00AM in the morning when
35 JROTC cadets from Fort Walton Beach High
School approached the gravesites of 1,800
military Veterans, hand saluted and placed a
United States flag at their headstones. By
9:00AM, over 1,800 graves had been
decorated. Per JROTC instructor Mark Batcho,
Col., USAF, Ret., this is one of their
annual events with the most cadets
participating. The JROTC also provided the
color Guard for the service to present the
Colors. Several of our members
participated in the service. Lt Col Frank
Roberts recited the poem “In Flanders
Fields” by John McRae after the National
Anthem. Chapter members T. Patt Maney, BG,
USAR, Ret., and Chuck Merkel, Jr., Major,
USA, Ret., helped read the ‘Roll Call of the
Deceased’ which included about a dozen of
our Chapter members. (see photos below).
NWFMOA
Receives MOAA Foundation Grants for 6th
Consecutive Year
On May 12th we
were notified by the MOAA Foundation that we
received two Community Outreach Grants this
year, our sixth consecutive year our Chapter
has received grants. The first grant of
$1,500 is for a continuation of one of our
Community Outreach projects from the most
previous three years, i.e., to purchase
commissary gift cards for young enlisted
families (E-4 and below) at our local bases.
The second grant, for $2,800, is to
participate in the 2023 Veterans Stand Down
this fall by purchasing cold weather
clothing and toiletry items for needy
Veterans in our area.
This will be our fourth consecutive year of
purchasing Commissary gift cards in $25
denominations to distribute to local junior
enlisted families. We plan to again partner
with the First Sergeants Associations at
Eglin, Hurlburt, and the 7th Special forces
Group(A) and the Hurlburt Military Family
Assistance Center to get the gift cards to
those in greatest need. In our Community
Outreach projects for 2020, 2021, and 2022,
we distributed a total of 610 gift cards at
a combined value of
$15,250. Of this total, the MOAA Foundation
provided $11,325 and $3,925 was from local
donations.
Military Family Appreciation Day
The Greater Fort
Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the
Military Family Appreciation Day at the Fort
Walton Beach Landing Park on Saturday, April
15th from 11:00AM to 5:00PM. Chapter members
who staffed our NWFMOA booth on the first
shift were (from left) Bob Gramm, Dave
Parisot, Fred Westfall.
Below
are those at our booth for the second shift.
From left are Jim Shoff, George Hanks, Fran
Hendricks, Dick Solt. The third shift was
rained out. We thank you for sharing your
weekend time for the benefit of our Chapter
and local community.
Valentines for Vets
A new community
event for 2023 was “Valentines for Vets”.
For nearly 65 years, the Northwest Florida
Military Officers Association (NWFMOA), an
affiliate of the Military Officer
Association of America, has been making a
difference in the lives of Veterans in the
Okaloosa and Walton Counties. One of its
community outreach initiatives this year was
to partner Bob Hope Village with Longwood
Elementary School, whereby second grade
students made Valentines and delivered them
to the residents on Valentine’s Day. This
endeavor allowed the students to express
their appreciation for the service and
sacrifices made by this Veteran community
and their families through the gift of a
handmade Valentine. The students presented
their Valentines to the residents during the
annual Valentine Day Brunch at Bob Hope
Village.
Valentines for Vets was first enacted in
1996 by General Ron Fogleman, Air Force
Chief of Staff, and was intended to support
the Department of Veteran Affairs weeklong
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.
Today, the VA has expanded the salute to the
entire month of February and has renamed it,
National Salute to Veteran Patients Month.
The NWFMOA invites everyone to recognize a
Veteran’s service and sacrifice especially
on Valentine’s Day. To view additional
pictures, click
HERE. This program was coordinated
by our Chapter President, Fran Hendricks.
More pictures from Valentines for Vets can
be seen HERE.
Fort Walton Chamber of Commerce thanks Dave
Parisot
Paul Singleton honored by FWB Chamber of
Commerce
Chapter member
Lt. Col Paul Singleton, USAF, Ret, was
honored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach
Chamber of Commerce on June 2nd with their
‘Above and Beyond’ award, and made ‘King for
the Day’ in front of approximately 300 local
business people. Paul has been a part of the
Chamber’s Ambassador Committee for 39 years
and has personally participated in over
1,700 ribbon cutting ceremonies for new
businesses. This is in addition to the
thousands of other volunteer hours Paul has
given to multiple non-profit organizations
in our local area. As a result, the Chamber
has added Paul’s name to this award and it
is now known as the ‘Paul Singleton Above
and Beyond Award’. Congratulations, Paul,
and thank you for what you have done and
continue to do to support our community.
(see photo below).
Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours"
On January 19th
our Chapter had an information booth at the
“Business After Hours” event of the Greater
Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, held
at the Emerald Coast Science Center. At the
booth, our displays highlighted Chapter
membership, our Community Outreach programs,
and our Scholarship programs. At the table
are Fred Westfall and Dave Parisot.
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