Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

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This months words from the Chapter President - February 2026

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Our January luncheon meeting was well attended. If you were unable to attend, you missed a riveting presentation by Harry S. Truman! Those in attendance know what this means. More information can be found in a later article.

Listed below are some of MOAA’s current “call to action” issues (taken from: The MOAA Newsletter January 22, 2026). Remember to let your voice be heard by contacting your legislators.

Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3168)
What it does: Allows the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to continue paying service members during any future funding lapse.

Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (H.R. 6231 | S. 3265)
What it does: Modernizes the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a nonrefundable tax credit employers can take for hiring target group members during the employee’s first year on the job, by increasing the amount of the credit and adding military spouses as a target group The program is intended to reduce the unemployment rate of “job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment” by incentivizing employers with a tax credit, according to the Labor Department.

Military CARE Act (H.R. 6796)
What it does: Requires the Pentagon to establish a digital system designed to improve access to care at military treatment facilities (MTFs) by providing beneficiaries with a standardized platform to report barriers to MTF care and creating a data record that does not exist today to give Defense Health Agency leadership and Congress the insights needed to address systemic access challenges.

Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act (H.R. 2148 | S. 879)
What it does: Expands health care coverage and career transition support for caregivers, and would require a study designed to provide caregivers with a path toward financial security in retirement.

Key Military Dates & Observances (February 2026 [taken from: AI Overview]):

Feb 3: Four Chaplains Day – Commemorates the four Army chaplains who sacrificed their lives when the USAT Dorchester sank in 1943.
Feb 3: USO Birthday – Celebrates the founding of the United Service Organizations.
Feb 9-15: National Salute to Veteran Patients – A week to honor and pay tribute to veterans in VA medical facilities.
Feb 13: Presidents' Day Weekend (Starts) – Many military commands observe the Friday before the holiday.
Feb 16: Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) – Federal holiday.
Feb 19: Coast Guard Reserve Birthday – Marks the establishment of the Coast Guard Reserve.

Please join us for an important meeting on February 20, at which time we will discuss the future direction of our Chapter.

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