The New Jersey Lakes & Pines Chapter Mission is two fold: FIRST: Support active duty and retiree benefit programs for all members of the uniformed services, their families and survivors and to advocate for a strong national defense. SECOND: Generate local community support for active, former and retired military members and their families.

Membership in the New Jersey Lakes & Pines Chapter is open to any person who currently holds or has ever held a commission or warrant in any of the seven United States Uniformed Services: the US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and their surviving spouses. Membership applications may be obtained by contacting our Membership Chairman, Lt Col Ted Cannon, USAF (Ret), at: spaceque@comcast.net. We are located in Central New Jersey and currently meet via Zoom on the second Saturday of each month. Our Fall 2020 virtual membership meetings will be held on the following dates starting at 1200H: 12 September 2020; 10 October 2020; 14 November 2020; and 12 December 2020. Please contact Major James Badgley, USAF (Ret), Chapter Public Affairs Officer, at jay45badgley@verizon.net for Zoom sign-in details. PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR MONTHLY CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING.

We are active in the MOAA NJ State Council of Chapters. The Chapter awards the MOAA Medal for Military Leadership to outstanding cadets from both college ROTC and high school Junior ROTC Units within our 11 county region. The Chapter awards several annual College Scholarships to outstanding graduating Junior ROTC senior cadets nominated from our regional high schools. We sponsor a Junior Officer of the Year (JOY) Awards Program recognizing outstanding company-grade officers from among all military service units stationed at JBMDL. This program enhances our continued Active Duty-Guard-Reserve recognition/membership recruiting efforts. Additionally, our Legislative agenda as well as membership drive efforts are included as part of the annual JBMDL "Retiree Appreciation Day." Finally, the Chapter participates in the annual Memorial Day Ceremonies at Joint Base MDL, the Brigadier General Doyle State Veterans Cemetery and the Burlington County Veterans Memorial Park.

The New Jersey Lakes & Pines Chapter actively supports the National MOAA legislative agenda through visits, telephone calls, e-mails, letters and cards to our Representatives and Senators in support of National MOAA legislative agenda items. Our monthly newsletter highlights individual national and state legislative agenda items and urges our membership to actively support these various efforts. Congressional Representatives and Senators are invited periodically as guest speakers at various chapter forums. The Chapter is also very active within the State of New Jersey through working with our District Legislators in supporting State legislation that benefits all service members and veterans.

Announcements of location and speaker for the next VIRTUAL CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS are made through our monthly Chapter newsletter, by email notices and this website. ***SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2020: CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING, 12 NOON, VIA ZOOM. Invited Guest Speaker: Rene Fusco, RN, CIC. TOPIC: Infection Prevention Please join us for a time of fellowship and education.

The New Jersey Lakes & Pines Chapter, an affiliate of MOAA, was chartered in 1962 and has a membership region covering Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties. Currently, virtual Zoom meetings are held monthly from September through December. A monthly newsletter provides current highlights of local and national import. The Chapter, with a current membership of 123, is an active chapter and very proud of its 5 Star Level of Excellence Awards and legislative successes at the national and state levels on behalf of all military beneficiaries. At the national level, the Chapter is credited as a main lobbying force in gaining the Paid-up provision to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). At the state level, the Chapter is credited as the primary veterans’ organization to advocate for and gain the change in New Jersey law that exempts military pensions and survivor benefit payments from state income taxes.