Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

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This months words from the Chapter President - March 2023

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The new legislative sessions for both the Federal government, as well as the State of Missouri, have commenced. Details of bills presented in the Missouri Legislature are outlined elsewhere in this newsletter. We need to continue to be cognizant of issues that affect our community, and be ready to Take Action.

We continue to be searching for a replacement for our Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, LtCol Bill Pickett, who has diligently served in this position for the past 8 years. He has done an admirable job in keeping our chapter finances in good order, collecting each month for our meals, and meeting regulatory commitments with the State and Federal government. Due to other needs in his own life, he has indicated that he needs to step aside. In order to maintain proper functioning of our chapter, we are in need of someone else who is willing to step up, learn this position, and carry on this duty. While there are important aspects to this job, it is something that can be learned relatively easily. A new individual in this position can easily tailor the basic functions of the job to their own personal liking. For the most efficient operation of our chapter, and indeed any organization, it is best for each officer to have someone else who knows that position, and is able to step in whenever the need arises, and business continues as usual. If anyone has questions about the particulars of Bill’s duties, please contact him directly, or drop an email to me, Ron McCall, and we can fill you in. Bill would like to be able to make this transition at the time of our Summer break. We can work with anyone who can volunteer, to make this transition as seamless as possible.

Col Phil Samples, who has handled coordinating presentation of awards to all the local JROTC/ROTC, and Bobcat Gold units supported by this chapter, will be relocating to Tennessee, in order to be closer to a growing family. Many Thanks to Phil for his service in this area. While we may have a volunteer to take on this responsibility going forward, we will continue to need for chapter members to step up and help with this project as Spring approaches, and Awards Season comes around for each of the schools.

Frank Bridges is coordinating Redbird Roost tickets for the upcoming Springfield Cardinals baseball season. We have purchased a block of tickets for June 13. Now we each need to contact Frank to purchase our tickets from him. This is not limited to OEMOAA members. Family members are welcome to attend! This is always a fun evening for our people. We have moved to an earlier date this year, in an effort to avoid the dangerous heat that we encountered in July 2022.

Col John Hathcock has made us aware of Memorial Day activities, to be held at the Springfield National Cemetery, located at Glenstone and Seminole. The brochure published by the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is located on page 9 of this newsletter. This contains specifics about the event.

Also, LTC Chris Stark has informed us of an upcoming visit of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica & Mobile Education Center to the Springfield Area. Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 922 W. Republic Rd, Springfield. Display will be free and open to the public, available 24 hrs/day, June 8-11, 2023

Our newsletter is freely available on this website by following the link above, 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 make that happen.

Ron McCall, President