MOAA National and the Sunflower Chapter are non-profit Veterans organizations promoting the state and national purposes and objectives of The Military Officers Association of America; fostering fraternal relations among retired, active, and former officers of the uniformed services; advocating for the rights and interests of personnel of the uniformed services and their dependents and survivors; providing useful services for members and their dependents and survivors; and serving the community and the nation.

Sunflower membership is open to anyone who holds or has ever held a commission or warrant in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Widows and widowers of any regular member, or an individual, are also eligible for regular Sunflower membership.  For new members, the first year dues are waived and the meal at the first meeting is paid by the chapter.  The “Sunflower Leaflet” contains a membership application.  For information please contact our president or any chapter member.  Joining the Sunflower Chapter will provide members with military camaraderie fellowship, critical information relating to community issues and military benefits, and participation in volunteer activities or community service projects.  

There are two primary annual chapter projects.  First is the annual award of  scholarships to  JROTC students at Washington High School.  Last year three cadets received  scholarships totaling $4,500 dollars.   The second project, the “Avenue of Flags” requires the displaying of over 60 United States flags along Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park on six federal holidays.  This project is in conjunction with the local Lion’s Club.   Additional community engagements include veteran groups at Kansas City Community College, Vetrans Treatment Courts in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and Wreaths Around America.

In the past years the Sunflower Chapter and the Sunflower Foundation contributed over $18,000 to several Kansas organizations: Johnson County Community College’s Veterans program, Kansas University Veterans Center, Missouri Western State University’s Cadet Alumni Fund, Fisher House, and Christmas donations to local charities.

The chapter  intents to provide continuous support to this veterans programs and support the director and his staff.  

A Chapter Legislative Liaison team maintains contact with state and federal representatives maintaining offices in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, Kansas.  The Sunflower Liaison coordinates with the Kansas State Council and other Kansas Chapter Liaison personnel to meet with Kansas Veterans Service Organizations to identify Kansas state legislative priorities.  This Liaison team focuses on promoting awareness of military issues and reinforcing knowledge and understanding with our representatives regarding their legislative impact on Kansas service members and their families.  These Liaison efforts included advocating for the state Veterans Treatment Courts, licensing military spouses, funding a new veterans home in Northeast Kansas, and writing into law a Veteran Service Organization tax exemption.  

For additional MOAA legislative issues contact the following MOAA National website:  http://takeaction.moaa.org.

Normally, Sunflower Chapter members currently meet on the third Wednesday of the month, May through September. Presently, the meeting location is the Olive Garden at 6750 W 95th Street. RSVP to Gary Cook at (913)242-5383 or email at gacook2012@gmail.com.  If you need a ride to the Olive Garden contact Joel Feder at (816) 223-5671 or jmfeder75@gmail.com.

 Our meetings include a social period starting at 11:30, the luncheon at 12:00 followed by a guest speaker from local government, leaders of veteran organizations or chapter members.  Past speakers have included the Wyandotte County Assistant District Attorney,  Overland Park Mayor, MOAA President, KU ROTC PMS and PNS, Johnson County high school JROTC leaders, and the chair of MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Advisory Council.  Chapter members also make presentations based on their hobbies, exotic travel, or volunteer experiences.  Member presentations have included a member who shared his observations on his recent African safari, a local volunteer leader whose team provides disaster relief supplies throughout the United States, and a 'horse whisperer' who helps veterans suffering the effects of PTSD.  Also of significance was a Chapter luncheon, co-sponsored with USAA, recognizing surviving spouses living in the Overland Park area.

The Sunflower Chapter received its MOAA charter in 1998 with the intent to serve all veterans in Johnson & Wyandotte Counties of Kansas.  The Chapter is a non-profit corporation organized under laws of the State of Kansas, operated exclusively for the purposes specified in its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.  The chapter’s primary method to communicate with members comes through our monthly newsletter, the “Sunflower Leaflet”.     In order to receive the newsletter, new members should provide an email addresses on the new membership application form which is found in the “Sunflower Leaflet”.  For those without an email address, the board sends the newsletter through the US postal service.