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Greetings from AMOAA
The last few weeks have been really good for the Atlanta Chapter, as we have presented our two college scholarships, participated in commissioning ceremonies at Georgia Tech, and presented nearly 100 MOAA medals to outstanding ROTC and JROTC cadets in the metropolitan area. Your time and participation are most appreciated by the AMOAA board, cadets and faculty alike.
Join us on facebook. LCDR Bill Baker has been really diligent about posting photos of our various awards as well as other notices of interest to military members and veterans. If you are on Facebook yourself, I encourage you to (1) "like" the AMOAA page, (2) join the group, (3) "share" some of our postings on your own timeline and (4) post your own AMOAA activities on our page. By doing so, your friends who are eligible to become members of the Atlanta Chapter will begin to see our activities.
Another recruiting tool you can use is the "Forward this email" link at the very bottom of this E-Connection. Send it to your friends who are eligible to be AMOAA members with a personal note that they consider joining us.
Memorial Day is fast approaching. Take advantage of one or more of the observances listed below. Following that is the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Let your friends know about the offer from the French government.
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Sincerely,
Robert Certain
Ch, Col, USAFR-Ret
President, Atlanta Chapter MOAA
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AMOAA Scholarships Announced
Cadet LTC Emily Lockridge, JROTC
Hiram High School
Presenter: LTC Bernard Booth (USA Ret)
College: University of North Georgia
Cadet CDR David Johnson, NJROTC  Henry County High School Presenter: LTC Richard Grimes (USA Ret) College: Georgia Southern University |
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Heartbleed Bug
If you're reading this on your computer you are affected by the Heartbleed Bug. Now the question is "what can you do about it?" You will need to change most of your passwords, but not until the site has patched the bug (stopped the bleeding). This link will show you which sites are affected, whether they've been patched, and whether you need to change your password at that site. Link
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DOD ID CARDS
If you still have a retiree or dependent DOD ID card with your SSAN number on it, you MUST get a new one in order to be admitted to military installations (i.e. Dobbins ARB). The wait at Pass & ID on the Reserve side of the base can be very long. However, you can make at appointment at any of these offices:
- GA National Guard (Dobbins ARB, west side): 678-655-6230/6347,
or online using this link
- The Centers for Disease Control (2400 Century Center Pkwy, Bldg 2400, Atlanta): 404-498-1800
- 335th Signal Command (2323 Dauphine St., East Point): 678-420-1610 ext 2030
- GA Family Program Office (2019 HWY 42, Ellenwood): 678-569-5071
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Commissary Sale
COMMISSARY ON-SITE SHOPPING SALE
FORT GILLEM
WHERE: 3RD /Medical Command
5015 North 34th Street, Building 900
Forest Park, Georgia 30297-5122
WHEN: June 26 - 28 2014
TIMES: Thursday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sale is open to all ID Card holders with Commissary Shopping Privileges. Please bring your ID Card with you for entrance/check out purposes. We are not set up to accept SNAP/WIC or Food Stamps at this sale. Also, please be prepared to wait in lines for this sale.
Event Hosted by the Robins AFB Commissary.
Questions may be directed to Kimberly Graham at 478-222-7618 or Susan Edmonds at 478-926-3714.
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Vacation Discounts
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Memorial Day
 On Memorial Day, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We honor those who have served in our active forces, in our reserves, and in our National Guard and who lost their lives in the process. In the more than 238 years since our founding, nearly one and one half million patriots have died defending our freedoms. Many of them were friends with whom we served. While the traditional date is May 30, it was moved to the last Monday of May beginning in 1969. Because of the sheer size of the metropolitan area, there are several opportunities in the next few weeks to attend one or more of the local observances of Memorial Day. |
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Georgia Memorial Day Ceremony
 The Honorable Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal cordially invite you to attend The State of Georgia's Memorial Day Ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2014 11:00 a.m. North Wing, Georgia State Capitol Keynote Speaker: Colonel Bruce Chick J3, Directorate of Domestic Operations Georgia Department of Defense The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Please R.S.V.P. to Lauren Bolden in Governor Deal's |
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Honor A Fallen Vietnam Warrior
 Corporal Harry Kenneth Vaughan was born on 14 March 1947 and grew up in the Hopewell Community, in North Fulton County, which is now a part of the City of Milton, Georgia. On 7 March 1968, Vaughan was tasked to assume the lead position in the platoon column of APC's in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, when his Armored Personnel Carrier hit a buried explosive device constructed from a 500 pound bomb. He was killed instantly.
The Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association will place a monument in his honor in ceremonies at the Milton HS football stadium (13025 Birmingham Hwy, Milton, GA) on May 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Guest speaker for the dedication will be Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki (GEN, USA-Ret). Members of AMOAA are cordially invited to attend.
For more information, click here |
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DeKalb Veterans Memorial Observation
 The Veterans Affairs Advisory Board of DeKalb County invites you to their 13th Annual Veterans Memorial Observation 11:00-Noon. Thursday, May 22 Maloof Auditorium 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur, GA 30030 Speaker: BGen Denis L. Shortal, USMC (Ret), Vietnam veteran, retired airline pilot, member Dunwoody City Council RSVP to drwilliams101st@gmail.com
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Georgia National Cemetery
 The Memorial Day ceremony at the Georgia National Cemetery (1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton) will be Saturday, May 24 at 10:00 am. The Atlanta Chapter will lay wreaths for Atlanta and for Georgia. COL Chuck Davis will represent both AMOAA and GMOAA. |
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Marietta National Cemetery
 The Memorial Day ceremony at Marietta National Cemetery (500 Washington Ave NE, Marietta) will be Monday, May 26, beginning at noon. The Atlanta Chapter again will lay wreaths for Atlanta and for Georgia: one by MAJ Scott Briggs, the other by LCDR Cam Graham.
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BARNESVILLE REMEMBERS" - A Veterans Tribute
 On Saturday, May 31st, the Rotary Club of Barnesville will host a special veterans tribute called "BARNESVILLE REMEMBERS" - A Veterans Tribute! You are cordially invited to attend as our guest and will have reserved seating as a VIP. The event will be held at the Lamar County School Fine Arts Center located in Barnesville and will begin at 11:00am. The address of the event facility is 126 Burnette Road, Barnesville, Georgia 30204. Our program will focus on the Korean War era, and those veterans attending will receive a special binder of letters along with a commemorative Korean War Veteran pin. A photo gallery will be featured, military vehicles present, with helicopters and more being planned! A special choir performance, color guard and bagpipes will set the stage for a great patriotic event in the beautiful new Fine Arts Center. You are invited to meet and visit with all of the Korean War veterans behind stage beginning at 10:00am prior to the start of our program. For additional information, please call Kent Kingsley at (770) 358-2941. We hope to see you on Saturday, May 31st to celebrate our many veterans and their families. NOTE: All veterans attending the event will be served a free lunch that day, compliments of The Garden Patch Restaurant in Barnesville! Click here for the announcement
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D-Day Anniversary
 France to mark D-Day 70th anniversary. This gallery of aerial photos includes views of the Pointe du Hoc, an imposing 100-foot (330-foot) cliff on the Normandy coast overlooking Omaha Beach. U.S. Army Rangers scaled the cliff at high cost of life in order to seize German artillery pieces that could have fired on American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. Compliments of the European "Stars & Stripes" If you are going to France for the observance, the Government of France is offering to provide D-Day veterans and a guest with round-trip transportation from Paris to Normandy, and lodging, meals and transportation while in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of Operation Overlord this June 6. Travel to/from Paris is an individual responsibility. Paris-based VFW Benjamin Franklin Post 605 is assisting by collecting the names of VFW and other D-Day veterans planning to attend. Please e-mail the following information as soon as possible to Chuck Steiner at VFW Post 605 at cjsteiner@aol.com. - Full name, age and home address of veteran (include home/cell phone and e-mail, too).
- Indicate if a D-Day veteran, Normandy campaign, or WWII veteran.
- Escort or guest's name (if more than one, so indicate).
- Special needs (e.g., wheelchair).
- Dates of planned attendance (arrival to and departure from France).
If unable to send by e-mail, address regular mail to: Chuck Steiner VFW Benjamin Franklin Post 605 4 rue du General Leclere, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France Other WWII veterans who plan to attend should forward this information, too, as the French Government may also extend similar support to them. Be advised, however, that the in-country support is subject to revision. |
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Shepherd's Men Run
 The SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center is saving lives through innovative research and treatment. Ten members of the 4th RECON USMCR are running over the Memorial Day week 684 miles from Atlanta, GA to Arlington, VA to raise money for, and awareness about, the growing problem of TBI and PTSD for our returning warriors. To learn more about the Shepherd's Men and to make a donation, click on this link or download the flyer |
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Be a Mentor
 Veteran Accountability Courts are in operation in Fulton County and will start in Cobb and DeKalb in June. Each court needs veterans to serve as mentors to those who trying to turn their lives around.
In Cobb County, Superior Court Judge Reuben Green (USMC) is now seeking applications to serve as mentors. To apply, download, complete and mail this application. Include a copy of your DD-214 with the application.
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Caregiver Peer Support
Have you been or are you a caregiver? The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is partnering with MOAA and a small number of VSO/MSOs in the development of a Military and Veteran Caregiver Peer Support Network.
MOAA is seeking volunteers that are interested in providing peer support to the spouses, parents, siblings and friends who are full time caregivers of wounded, ill, or injured military or veterans.
Trained volunteers will be matched with a caregiver who has requested the program, providing emotional support and resource information
If you're interested in becoming a peer support volunteer, please email your contact information (name and email address) to MOAA at: legis@moaa.org. Space is limited, so act today. MOAA will provide details to those interested as the program develops. |
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Warrior Golf Classic
The Georgia Mountain Chapter of MOAA will host their Annual Warrior Golf Classic at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford on 8-10 June 2014. On Sunday, 8 June, they will have the Tournament Dinner; on Monday, the golf tournament; on Tuesday, a Care Giver Day.
All proceeds are used to benefit veteran related charities and scholarships.
DOWNLOAD this form to learn more, register, and/or donate.
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Schedule of Membership Meetings
The AMOAA holds monthly lunch meetings, normally at 11:30 on the third Saturday of each month at various restaurants around the metropolitan area. The meeting place will be announced in the monthly AMOAA Connection, in this E-Connection and by email invitation. We do not meet in July or August. Mark your calendars to save the dates:
MAY 17
(Brookwood Grill, 880 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell) Guest Speaker: Michelle Nunn, Democratic candidate for US Senate. Following her presentation, we will have a brief memorial service for our members who have died in the past year.
JUN 21 (57th Fighter Group Restaurant, 3829 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta). Guest Speaker: Wayne Witter, veteran of Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force (in that order)
SEP 20, OCT 18, NOV 15 - To be decided
DEC 13 NOTE: The December meeting is the second Saturday. (Petite Auberge, 2935 N Druid Hills Rd NE, Atlanta - in the Toco Hills Shopping Center)
We try to keep the lunch price below $30 per person. If you know of a restaurant with a private room that will seat 35 or more people, please contact MAJ Scott Briggs at wmbriggs@bellsouth.net. He's always looking for new venues and interesting guest speakers.
The Chapter Board meets on the Wednesday prior to the Membership Meetings, normally at the Dobbins Consolidated Club, beginning at 11:30.
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GEORGIA MOAA CONVENTION - Oct. 20-24
 The Augusta Chapter will host the 55th State Convention aboard the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. The cost of the cruise per couple ranges from $619 to $1039.
The ship departs Port Canaveral, Florida on Monday, October 20th. We'll arrive in beautiful Coco Cay, Bahamas on Tuesday to enjoy two days of fun, sun, shopping and adventure. We don't leave until 11:59 pm Wednesday night giving you plenty of time to enjoy several unforgettable experiences. Our last day starts with our business meeting in the ship's Conference Center followed by a relaxing day at sea giving the Royal Caribbean staff one more chance to spoil you and to exceed your expectations.
CLICK HERE for more information, to register for the Convention, and to reserve your state room.
As usual, there will be a Convention Book provided to all attendees. Advertising space is available from business card sized to full page. If you are interested in buying an ad, DOWNLOAD the form and submit. |
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2014 MOAA Annual Meeting - October 27-28
 The Military Officers Association of America will hold its Annual Meeting in Washington DC a few days after the Georgia Convention & Cruise. Top MOAA chapters will receive four and five-star streamers at a recognition dinner. Network with employers at a military- and spouse-friendly career fair and attend seminars on topics such as the negotiating strategies and employee benefits. Find out what's going on at MOAA at the annual meeting, and join us as we salute caregivers of wounded/injured servicemembers from the National Capitol Region at the Community Heroes Award Night. |
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GA Veterans Day Parade
Save the Date
Saturday, November 8th, 2014
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Wreaths Across America
While Wreaths Across America will occur in December, we are already taking orders for wreaths to be place at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. We'll have sponsorship forms available at our monthly luncheons, or you can download these forms, complete them and mail them in yourselves. If you bring them to the luncheon, we will mail them for you.
BROCHURE - SPONSORSHIP - PATRIOT PAIR
MILITARY TRIBUTE PAIR
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TAPS
At our May Luncheon we will honor our members and associates who have died in the past year:
Mrs. Penny Bisbort
CWO William Castleberry, USN
CAPT Peter Dingledey, USN
Lt Col Lawrence Ellgas Sr,
USAF
LTC Johnny W. Kelley, USA
Mrs. Francis Kelly
Mrs. Georgia Monnerat
COL Norbert M. Reinert, USA
LTC Chester C. Rice, USA
LTC Marvin Rottenberg, USA
COL Alvin G. Rowe, USA
Lt Col Marvin Westerfield,
USAF
LTC Melvin Wilkerson, USA
Lt Col Edgar K. Wilson, USAF
If you know of others, please let us know.
Here is an excellent video to honor departed service members, particularly our friends who have fallen in battle: |
ROTC/JROTC AWARDS
Here is a sampling of our awards presentations. See more on the "Atlanta Chapter MOAA" Facebook page.  CAPT John Henderson (USN Ret) presents the MOAA medal to JROTC (USMC) Cadet MSGT Rithy Sry, Rockdale County High School 
CDR Bill Baker (USN Ret) presents the MOAA medal to Cadet Ayana Langford at the Shiloh High School
LTC Bernie Booth (USA Ret) of Atlanta MOAA presents the MOAA JROTC medal to Cadet Valerie Baires of South Cobb High School
LTC Tom Torbert (USA Ret) of AMOAA, Cadet CSM Lanarion Norwood the BEST Academy 
CWO2 Shel Miller (USA Ret) presents the MOAA medal at Chamblee Charter High School to Cadet PFC John Barbosa 
CAPT John Henderson (USN Ret) presents the MOAA medal to Cadet Captain Dakota Crumbler of Social Circle High School 
LCDR Bill Baker (USN Ret) presented the MOAA medal to Cadet Samantha Ethridge at Grayson High School 
COL Chuck Davis (USA Ret) presents the MOAA medal to Cadet Ensign Joseph Della Piana of Kennesaw Mountain High School 
Col Bob Certain (USAF Ret) presents the MOAA medal to Steven J. Sturniolo (Air Force) at the end of year ROTC award ceremony at Georgia Tech |
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Join
All members of the Military Officers Association of America living within the metropolitan Atlanta area are welcome and encouraged to be part of the Atlanta Chapter. Widows and widowers of MOAA members are also welcome as Associate Members of the Chapter.
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Keep Us Updated
If you change your contact information, please keep us informed so you will continue to receive the
AMOAA CONNECTION, the E-Connection, and other important notices. Simply drop a note to the keeper of our database: CWO Shel Miller at
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Contact Us
Contact information for each of our officers is found on the AMOAA website: CLICK HERE
The next meeting of the board will be on Wednesday, 14 May, at 11:30 in the Smyrna Room of the Dobbins ARB Consolidated Club. Members are welcome.
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Meeting Speakers
On May 17 we will hear from Michelle Nunn, Democratic candidate for the US Senate.
On June 21, we will hear from Wayne Witter, retired Delta Airlines Captain and veteran of the Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force (in that order)
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Our Mission
More than 50 years of Service
The Atlanta Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is a non-profit veterans association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and to preserving the earned entitlements of members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors.
Membership is open to anyone who holds, or has ever held, a commission or warrant in any component of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service or NOAA and their surviving spouses.
We strive to foster fraternal relations among retired, active, reserve, national guard and former officers and warrant officers of the seven uniformed services.
Our chapter adheres to the principles and goals of our national organization.
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Challenge Coin
The AMOAA challenge coin is now available. The obverse side is the MOAA logo, and the reverse side is an image depicting a phoenix rising from the flames, similar to the official symbol of the city of Atlanta. The coins are available at the monthly luncheon for $10 each. |
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AMOAA members and spouses may order name badges from Badge Works Plus. Bring your information and check to the Membership Luncheon or you can mail it yourself or order online. You will save the shipping cost if we mail it in with other orders.
ORDER FORM
or online at
BadgeWorks+
Or, if you prefer to use a local company and the AMOAA logo,
contact
Graphic Engraving
6061 Buford Hwy
Atlanta, GA 30340
770-458-0253
nevin@awards123.com
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Stay Informed
All MOAA members are encouraged to sign up to receive the Legislative Update by visiting www.moaa.org/email or by calling MOAA's Member Service Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622). The Legislative Update informs you of time-sensitive legislative alerts weekly; the Council and Chapter Affairs Update reaches you monthly.
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ADVERTISE
LIST YOUR SERVICES IN THE AMOAA CONNECTION
You can list have your company listed for just $30 per year (10 issues, plus all E-Connections) and be welcomed into the homes of more than 600 AMOAA members and spouses. Contact Shel Miller at 770-938-0279 or
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VetJobs is the leading military job board for transitioning military, veterans, DOD civilians and their family members. Get help and search openings at www.vetjobs.com
CAPT Ted Daywalt, USN-Ret
tdaywalt@vetjobs.com
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TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
MAJ Calvin S. Posner, Ed. D., USA-Ret
All management topics for Human Resource Development
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Exceptional Senior Living
Parc at Duluth
Independent and Assisted Living
3315 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096
www.parcatduluth.com
770-622-6880
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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND SERVICES
LTC Lee Pence, USA-Ret
Certified Financial Planner (TM)
All Issues Involving Seniors
Free consultation for AMOAA members
678- 354-9353
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