Legacy of Service
MOAA supports those who fought and those who still are fighting.
By Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

It’s almost Veterans Day, and once again the nation pauses to thank those who serve and have served their country with so much dedication and sacrifice. The world remains a dangerous place, and once again American servicemembers are on the front lines around the world facing those dangers. Their families—moms and dads, sisters and brothers, spouses and children—all are playing their parts, too, in critical supporting roles.

Some citizens simply can’t fathom what it takes to be in the military, nor can they understand the special bond that exists among those who serve. That’s why MOAA headquarters staff is so focused on doing what’s right for men and women in uniform. We’ve “had their backs” for 75 years, and so have you. You know what it’s like to sacrifice, to honor, to defend, and to put service before self. That’s why MOAA fights so hard, on Capitol Hill and elsewhere, on behalf of association members, and indeed on behalf of all members of the military family.

MOAA members and staff recently achieved several well-publicized and badly needed improvements for military retirees, and we hope to add improvements to the Survivor Benefit Plan to this list. Less well known, however, are MOAA’s unwavering efforts on behalf of those currently serving.

Last year, for example, we successfully pushed for enactment of the Military Family Tax Relief Act; today we’re fighting for equitable health care, especially for National Guard and Reserve personnel and their families.

An issue less visible to many Americans, but enormously important, is the size of our military, and MOAA has been involved in this debate, too, advocating for larger ground forces to meet our projected needs in the war on terrorism. This is a complex issue but one that we think is crucial to the long-term viability and morale of the All Volunteer Force (AVF). On page 60, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker reminds us that continuing to field the AVF is America’s challenge. MOAA is working to help meet this challenge, because we know that young men and women—like Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Isenbarger of the Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team, pictured with me, above— are the key to our nation’s future.

Recently MOAA hosted a half-day of discussions with Maj. Gen. Mike Rochelle, commanding general of the Army Recruiting Command, to explore how the association might support his efforts. You’ll soon hear more in these pages about the issues we discussed and the plans we’re making to assist.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, when you pause to honor those who have done so much for each of us, please be assured that your association is working hard to ensure the United States will always have the finest men and women of each generation aspiring to service in our country’s military.