There is a quote from Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

This sums up the vital importance of each of us taking the time to contact our members of Congress to share our testimony and our personal stories on the current issues relating to surviving spouses as well as other veterans’ and military family issues.

National MOAA advocates on the Hill monthly, and once a year, council and chapter leaders come to Washington, D.C., for Advocacy in Action, focusing on several key issues. 

[RELATED: MOAA's Advocacy in Action 2024]

What can you do to be a part of this excitement of advocacy? You can get involved very easily, from the comfort of your home. Often due to where we live, our physical limitations, and our work and family schedule, it’s nearly impossible to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers. The good news is MOAA has a valuable resource to make it easier for us to advocate throughout the year: the Legislative Action Center.

In the action center, MOAA posts top issues with a description of each. You can pick and choose what affects you the most, or you can select all the issues that are listed. Once you register for the Legislative Action Center, you can send a pre-formatted letter to your representative and senators on the issue. All you need to do is either add your personal story or just add your signature. Once it’s completed, hit the send button, and the letter is automatically sent to your lawmakers.

Try it out today — it only takes five minutes. Every call, every email, and every visit to Congress helps to bring to the forefront issues affecting surviving spouses, veterans, and military families. The more our voices are heard, we CAN make a difference!