MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INSTALLS ITS 2015 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS AT ITS 33ND WINTER GALA
Southwest FL - It was a special and wonderfully entertaining evening as MOAS members, spouses, and guests gathered at Michael’s on East on Sunday, December 20th for the Chapter’s 33rd Annual Military Gala. The ballroom was beautifully decorated; uniforms, tuxedos, military decorations, and beautiful dresses and gowns were everywhere to be seen; and the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots boxes overflowed with dump trucks, dolls, teddy bears and pandas.
The Riverview High School JROTC Color Guard Commanded by SGM Roger Mitchell opened the formal part of the evening by parading and posting the Colors, followed by the playing of the National Anthem and the invocation by Chaplain (Col) Charles Caudill. Traditional toasts were proposed by MOAS members to the President; Uniformed Services; MOAA Members & guests; Allied Nations; Fallen Comrades & POW/MIAs; and Spouses & Families.
After thanking the outgoing Board of Directors and members for their support throughout the year, President Tracy presented MOAA Presidential Awards to Elke Scott and Pat McLain for their outstanding work for MOAS during the past years, and Col John O’Brien & Carol O’Brien were honored with the Martin Hertz Lifetime Community Service Award for their management of the MOAS Support Our Troops (SOT) Program over the past years.
Col Len Friedlander, USAF (Ret), Southwest Area Vice-President of the Florida Council Of Chapters installed the 2016 MOAS Officers and Directors; Past President Troy Scott & President George Tracy attached the 2015 MOAA Five Star Level of Excellence streamer on the chapter flag. President Tracy led the singing of the service songs and God Bless America to end the evening’s program. The room was then taken over by the folks dancing to the music of La Croix.
Our thanks to Elke Scott and Pat McLain for their outstanding work on reservations, seating and overall coordination to make the gala a success.
MOAS is the Sarasota Chapter of Military Officers Association of America. MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers with 370,000 members. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. For more information visit, www.sarasotamoaa.com Are you a former military officer?Please come and join us at our monthly luncheon.
For More Information, Contact:
Alan Forrester
aforrester@tampabay.rr.com
(P) 941-504-5759
