Welcome to the Military Officers Association of Sarasota (MOAS) website. As you explore the site, you will learn about the varied activities and goals of our Association. With 400 members, the MOAS is one of the largest and most active chapters of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)). We are a MOAA Five Star chapter and our newsletter, The Sarasota Breeze, is consistently recognized as one of the best in the country.
Founded in 1953 as the Retired Officers Club of Sarasota, and affectionately known as ROCS, we changed our name in 2003 to the Military Officers Association of Sarasota and invite all military officers; active, former, or retired, to join.
As you will glean from these pages, we meet at Michaels on East for lunch on the third Friday of each month, except in December when we hold a Military Gala. Luncheon programs feature military oriented speakers, city and county officials, representatives of local organizations (e.g. Mote Marine Laboratories, Ringling School of Design), and entertainment showcasing the Sarasota Opera, the Sarasota Ballet, authors, and many others. In short, our monthly luncheons provide something for everyone. As you join us, you will be in good company as attendance ranges from a high of close to 200 (when the snowbirds are here) to a low of 100 during the slow summer months.
Not a luncheon person? Then the YAHOOS will surely have something for you to participate in. The Young at Heart Officers Association holds a wide variety of monthly events. Whether it is a Super Bowl or St. Patrick’s Day party, a kayak trip, or a day at the Polo matches, I am sure that you will find something of interest.
But, the MOAS is far more than a social club although fostering camaraderie and keeping members connected to those they have served with and shared a large part of their lives with is certainly a major objective. We are active in local veterans’ activities and keep our members up to date on legislative initiatives at both state and national levels. We are a member of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission. We are also a part of the Florida Council of Chapters, with MOAS members serving as officers in the present and past. MOAS has hosted two FCOC conventions in Sarasota.
Perhaps the most gratifying work of MOAS is the outreach work done though the Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship Fund, a 501(c) 3 charitable organization. We grant numerous $1,500 scholarships to the top applicants in each of the four Junior ROTC programs, and two or more Merit scholarships to qualifying seniors graduating from Sarasota area schools. We are currently in the process of expanding this program to assist returning veterans attending local colleges. We support Junior ROTC programs by funding special request submitted by the schools, and participate in area high school Academic Olympics challenges. For the past several years we have run a highly successful and appreciated Support our Troops program that has sent thousands of packages to deployed service members, and we will continue to do so as long as there is a need. We are proud to have been chosen by the Community Association of Sarasota County for its Giving Partners program, and we have joined the Patterson Foundation in their Legacy of Valor initiative.
I encourage you to take a look at The Sarasota Breeze where you will find specific information about current activities.
Thank you for your interest in our organization,
John O’Brien
President, MOAS
