Dedicated to Duty
Commitment to MOAA benefits members—and the nation.
By Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

As you can imagine, here at MOAA headquarters outside Washington, D.C., the war on terrorism is front and center every day. So, too, is MOAA’s concern for America’s military personnel, separated from their loved ones as U.S. troops take the fight to the enemy. If you are looking for a simple, yet meaningful, way to express your support, please consider donating a prepaid calling card to a servicemember so he or she can call home. (See “News Notes,” page 32, for details.)

You will find an insert and article in this magazine about MOAA’s convention, Oct. 13–17 in Nashville, Tenn. Please read them carefully, because they describe how you can join other members of the MOAA family for three days of fun, learning, and camaraderie.

Members of the Middle Tennessee Chapter and the MOAA staff have tried to make this convention as informal as possible, including a barbecue with country music; great speakers such as Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau; and a Salute to Heroes program honoring several military heroes. Topping off Saturday night will be a stellar performance by Grammy Award-winning entertainer Ricky Skaggs.

There also will be some great optional tours of Nashville-area sites, including a dinner cruise on the famous General Jackson showboat, tours of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and several antebellum homes, and a night at the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry tickets are limited and will go fast, so if you’re interested, get your order in now. MOAA also has invited President George W. Bush and (once selected) the Democratic presidential nominee, though their availability won’t be confirmed until closer to October.

Speaking of the president, in mid-April I was fortunate to be one of four veterans’ organization presidents invited to the White House to spend about 35 minutes in the Oval Office talking issues with him. More details about my visit can be found in “Washington Scene,” page 19.

In the past months, I have attended several key meetings and briefings with the president and secretary of defense. I am invited to these meetings because of MOAA’s credibility, expertise, integrity, and member clout. I appreciate all that each of you does daily to build MOAA’s reputation, whether it is contacting your legislators, making our valuable council and chapter system work, sharing your time and expertise with others in the community, or just representing the military family so well in your lives. All members contribute in varying ways to MOAA, and what the association does to fulfill its mission of supporting a strong national defense pays huge dividends to its members and, most important, to our nation. My thanks to each of you for continuing to serve!