Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

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This months words from the Chapter President - April 2026

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REMINDER: The April 17, 2026 meeting will not be held as regularly scheduled. We cancelled our meeting so people would have the opportunity to attend the Veteran Valor event at Evangel University without having to choose between the two meetings. You must register for this event as free lunch will be served. If you are interested in attending the luncheon, at no charge, the link is register is: www.evangel.edu/veteranvalorday

There was a small group of 12 in attendance at our March luncheon meeting. In an effort to encourage higher attendance, some changes were made. The dining/meeting area was transformed into a more friendly, welcoming environment, with table adjustments for improved conversation, colored table covers added, along with centerpieces. A new food vendor was selected who is making our food on-site.

Make sure to attend our May 15 meeting as we will host a speaker from MOAA National. We will also have a short business meeting to vote on the updated bylaws, which have been distributed both electronically and physically at the March meeting. The wording was changed to be consistent with previously voted on meeting changes for 2027.

From the March 26, 2026 MOAA Newsletter: 2027 COLA? The 2.8% prediction made this month by one statistical model is the same as the model’s February figure. The typical Social Security recipient would receive a little less than $60 more per month should the prediction prove accurate.

The four 2026 priority Advocacy in Action (AiA) items are as follows: (Don Wolfinger, Missouri Council President, will be in Washington for Advocacy In Action, 4/15/26, emphasizing each of these points):

1. Guard VA Benefits Act-Protect veterans from claims sharks.

2.Military Care Act-Improve access to care at military hospitals and clinics.

3. Shutdown Fairness Act-Ensure servicemembers receive pay and benefits.

4. Major Richard Star Act-End the unjust pay offset for combat-injured veterans.

Some Key April 2026 Military Dates:

April 1–30: Month of the Military Child

April 5: Gold Star Spouses Day

April 9: National Former POW Recognition Day

April 14: Air Force Reserve Birthday

April 23: Army Reserve Birthday

For all who are Premium or Life members of MOAA, a free Survivor’s Planning Guide is available for download. It can be obtained at www.moaa.org.

As always, our newsletter is freely available on the chapter website: www.oemoaa.org as well as via email to all members. If anyone wishes to receive this newsletter via US Mail, please make that known to a Board Member or the Newsletter Editor, and we will be happy to accommodate.

Becky Hutchings, President