Join MOAA

Serving Those Who Serve Our Country.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to support military officers and their families at every stage of life. MOAA plays an active role with Congress on behalf of the military community on issues that affect the career force, the retired community, and veterans of the uniformed services. We also offer a range of personal and financial services exclusive to MOAA membership.

MOAA’s new no-fee electronic BASIC Membership gives busy officers the opportunity to experience what MOAA is all about. You’ll stay current with our e-newsletters and have opportunities to participate in grassroots activism effort.

As a BASIC Member, you get Military Officer magazine via our mobile app. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend our career fairs, networking events, and classes and to take advantage of valuable discounts on products and services.

Join as a BASIC Member

Get full access to everything MOAA has to offer with our PREMIUM Membership, including our full spectrum of our career resources (one-on-one career counseling, résumé reviews, and interviewing advice and critiques), countless discounts on products and travel, and access to all MOAA exclusive publications and news updates.

Plus, as a PREMIUM Member, you’ll be able to tap into MOAA’s staff of experts for financial and investment advice, college scholarships for dependents, and much more. That’s on top of all the benefits you receive at the BASIC Membership level.

Join as a PREMIUM Member

MOAA LIFE Membership remains the most elite level of membership for military officers and their spouses. When you become a LIFE Member of MOAA, you not only make us a stronger advocate for America’s military officers, but you also make a lifetime investment for yourself and your loved ones.

As a LIFE Member, you’ll receive exclusive privileges and benefits, like bonus travel rewards and a waiver of initiation fees at the prestigious Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C. Become a MOAA LIFE Member today.

Join as a LIFE Member

More Scoop on the MOAA Web Site moaa.org

A Tribute to Veterans

Please Join Us!

As we honor individuals who:

Inspire Patriotism
Provide Service to Others
Offer Hope to Veterans

Call for tickets today! (941) 366-2224

Download flyer and ticket order form here.

Choosing Patriot Plaza’s art with a professional advisory group

by Ann Wykell

Editor's Note: Ann Wykell is the art consultant on Patriot Plaza, the ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery. Ann will be guest blogging about the process to incorporate commissioned art at Patriot Plaza.

It seems obvious that art, like food and fashion, is a matter of taste. We don’t all have to like the same thing – and we don’t. This is not a problem if art is being chosen for one’s home, or even a personal space like an office. But what about art for a public space that belongs to everyone? This is often called Public Art or Art in Public Spaces. How should art be selected for this kind of setting if we know that it is impossible to make everyone equally happy?

The solution used most frequently in the United States is to convene a small group of people to help select artists and designs. Each person on the committee brings his or her own taste and way of looking at art to the group. By listening to what others see, everyone gets a deeper, more thoughtful opinion and the group can find a consensus about which art to select. The wisdom of the group is powerful.

An Art Advisory Group for Patriot Plaza

We often say someone who is very perceptive and able to evaluate the quality of art has “a good eye”. The Patterson Foundation has been fortunate to have a dedicated group of wise eyes in its Art Advisory Group (AAG).

They are:

- Kenny Irby, Director of Photojournalism at Poynter in St. Petersburg

- Robin Nigh, Manager of Arts for the City of Tampa and director of the public art program

- Mark Ormond, professor at the Ringling College of Art and Design.

Also assisting in the early stages of the selection process was John Wetenhall, former Executive Director of the Carnegie Museums.

A collaborative process

The AAG began their work with an in-depth discussion about what kind of art could be installed within the design of Patriot Plaza. Initially there were seven possible locations for art. They met multiple times for half-day meetings to review the applications of more than 60 artists and then met for several all-day meetings where finalists presented their proposals.

During this time, there were changes to the site plan and some ideas for art had to be discarded while others were added. For example, at the beginning there were two very long, tall walls that were great locations for art. Later the walls were eliminated. The AAG devised new concepts for the more open space.

The process worked beautifully. The group process road seemed twisted with detours and long delays occasionally, but it has taken us exactly where we hoped to be – to a group of artists whose art is unified around the themes of telling the stories of life in the military and that fits seamlessly into the Patriot Plaza space. Every piece of art may not appeal to every visitor, but with the help of the AAG members, there will be something special for everyone.

For additional questions about the Patriot Plaza art process, Ann Wykell may be reached at akwykell@gmail.com.

Ann Wykell | April 26, 2013 at 12:44 am | Tags: Art Advisory Group, City of Tampa, Patriot Plaza, Poynter | Categories: Sarasota National Cemetery | URL: http://wp.me/p28bFy-QI

MOAA Social Marketing

Spreading the Word

The National Organization is also working on social marketing. Social marketing is a low cost and simple way to reach out to younger officers.

moaa.org/blogs

facebook.com/OnePowerfulVoice

twitter.com/MilitaryOfficer

linkedin.com/company/moaa

moaa.org

DOD Social Marketing

dodlive.mil

facebook.com/DeptofDefense

twitter.com/DeptofDefense

linkedin.com/company/united-states-department-of-defense

MOAA Sarasota Chapter Social Marketing

Our new systems begun in conjunction with the Patterson Foundation and the efforts to promote the Florida State MOAA conference in Sarasota.

Blog sarasotamoaa.blogspot.com

Conference Blog fcoc2013.blogspot.com

YAHOO Blog moayahoo.blogspot.com

Pinterest pinterest.com/sarasotamoaa

The systems below facilitate communication among our members and potential members. They require sign in

to use the systems.

Facebook facebook.com/SarasotaMOA

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/sarasotamoaa

Twitter twitter.com/SarasotaMOAA

Our Current Web Sites and the Breeze

Web Site sarasotamoaa.com

Support Our Troops supportourtroopsmoas.com

The Breeze Newsletter

Support Our Troops

Support our Troops is a program of the Sarasota Chapter of MOAA to provide support to our forwarded deployed troops. Read about it on our Web Site.

supportourtroopsmoas.com

YAHOO Kayak Trip

The Young At Heart Officers Organization (YAHOO) is part of the Sarasota Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. The Yahoo's do all kinds of interesting activities, including Kayak trips, beach parties, and sporting events.

If you are a Commissioned Officer of the US Military you are encouraged to join us.

The Latest Issue of the Breeze Newsletter

sarasotamoaa.com/newsletters.htm

Florida MOAA Convention 7-9 June, 2013

Our State Conference is right around the corner.

The Military Officers Association of Florida Council of Chapters Convention 2013 will be 7-9 June at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota. We encourage you to attend.

More info at:

fcoc2013.blogspot.com

Tribute to Veterans

Words inspire art at Patriot Plaza

Patriot Plaza isthe ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

"Art is a visual experience, but words inspired much of the art in Patriot Plaza. We began with the words that defined the mission of the Patriot Plaza:"

"Honor, Service, Inspire and Patriotism."

Click to Read More

Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs. Then They Helped Save Lives.

Tough Ruck soldiers clearing a path to victims Military Friends Foundation

These Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs. Then They Helped Save Lives.

When the bombs went off, the Tough Ruck 2013 crew sprang into action.

At 5:20 a.m. on Monday, four hours before the Boston Marathon's elite runners took off, a group of 15 active-duty soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard gathered at the starting line in Hopkinton. Each soldier was in full combat uniform and carried a "ruck," a military backpack weighing about 40 pounds. The rucks were filled with Camelbacks of water, extra uniforms, Gatorade, changes of socks—and first-aid and trauma kits. It was all just supposed to be symbolic.

"Forced marches" or "humps" are a regular part of military training, brisk walking over tough terrain while carrying gear that could help a soldier survive if stranded alone. These soldiers, participating in "Tough Ruck 2013," were doing the 26 miles of the Boston Marathon to honor comrades killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, or lost to suicide and PTSD-related accidents after coming home.

Click to Read More:

The Scoop - Click to View

The Breeze

Convention Program and a Registration Form

Convention Info

Manatee Port Authority MOAA Tour April 8, 2013

A good time was had by all the MOA Sarasota Chapter Members who visited the Manatee Port Authority today. Several large ships were loading or unloading cargo. The port handles substantial cargo and creates over 1700 jobs. The Port Authority is a government but does not levy a tax - it covers all of its costs with user charges.

Thanks to Carol Obrien for setting this up.

Photos thanks to Lynn Trusal. Click to see more

Florida State Conference

Our Florida State Conference is coming soon.

Click the link below for our latest scoop.

fcoc2013.blogspot.com/

The Latest Scoop

The latest scoop about the activities of the Sarasota Chapter of MOAA can be found on our newsletter, The Breeze.

sarasotamoaa.com/newsletters.htm

The Patterson Foundation Launches Legacy of Valor Campaign

The yearlong campaign honors veterans through community partnerships leading up to the spring 2014 dedication of Patriot Plaza

SARASOTA, Fla. (April 5, 2013) – The Patterson Foundation kicked off its Legacy of Valor campaign today, highlighting 17 community-driven partnershipsthat honor veterans and their families, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom. The Legacy of Valor campaign is an extension of The Patterson Foundation’s first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Cemetery Administration to construct Patriot Plaza, a ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery. The yearlong series of Legacy of Valor partnership events – which include a variety of experiences from luncheons and exhibits honoring veterans to themed street art and film festivals– begin this month and culminate during the spring 2014 dedication of Patriot Plaza.

“The Legacy of Valor campaign honors and salutes veterans and their families for the sacrifices they make in order to secure our freedom,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “The enthusiastic response we received from community partners was overwhelming, and we hope every person in our community can find opportunities to participate through their time, talent and treasure.”

Through Legacy of Valor partnerships, community entities are collaborating with each other to create and build upon existing activities and events to educate, build enthusiasm and focus the community to honor and support veterans and their families. The Legacy of Valor community partnerships touch many aspects of our community, including arts performances for veterans and their families, educational programs to teach community youth about our nation’s history and the contributions of veterans, and services such as providing needed home repairs for veterans.

To enhance these collaborations, The Patterson Foundation is investing up to $1 million in the Legacy of Valor campaign.

“It is so special to see such support and a spirit of collaboration in our community honoring those who have done so much for our country,” Jacobs said. “Our goal through the Legacy of Valor campaign is to encourage our community to use Patriot Plaza following its dedication to continue to honor veterans for generations to come.”

To learn more about the Legacy of Valor campaign and Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery, please visit

patriotplaza.thepattersonfoundation.org

About The Patterson Foundation

The Patterson Foundation believes that through communications, technology, and financial innovations, improvements may be achieved that transcend any single issue, entity, or geographic area. The Foundation provides resources to facilitate, expedite, and share methods, techniques, and tools, joining with others in creating new realities. For more information, please visit:

ThePattersonFoundation.org

Legacy of Valor

The Military Officers Association of America - Sarasota Chapter is workingt with the Patterson Foundation on their Legacy of Valor Campaign which formally launches today.

Legacy of Valor campaign launch highlights community partnerships to honor veterans

by Debra Jacobs

As we embark on our journey to construct Patriot Plaza, the new ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery, we have looked for ways we could extend the spirit of collaboration of our first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Cemetery Administration to further salute veterans and their families for the sacrifices they make for all of us.

In that spirit, The Patterson Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Legacy of Valor, a yearlong campaign highlighting 17 community-driven partnerships that will honor veterans and their families, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom.

Legacy of Valor is a yearlong series of partnership events - including a variety of experiences from luncheons and exhibits honoring veterans to themed art and performance events such as the Sarasota Chalk Festival and Circus Sarasota - that begins this month and culminates during the spring 2014 dedication of Patriot Plaza.

Through Legacy of Valor partnerships, community entities are collaborating with each other to create and build upon existing activities and events to educate, build enthusiasm and focus the community to honor and support veterans and their families. These community partnerships touch many aspects of our community, including special performing arts performances for veterans and their families, educational programs to teach community youth about our nation’s history and the contributions of veterans, and services such as providing needed home repairs for veterans.

To enhance these collaborations, The Patterson Foundation is investing up to $1 million in the Legacy of Valor campaign.

So far in the lead up to this announcement the response we have received from the community partners has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. It is so special to see such support and a spirit of collaboration in our community honoring those who have done so much for our country and we hope every person in our community can find opportunities to participate through their time, talent and treasure.

Our goal through the Legacy of Valor campaign is to encourage our community to use Patriot Plaza following its dedication to continue to honor veterans for generations to come.

The first Legacy of Valor events begin this month. To learn more about Legacy of Valor and the 17 different collaborative partnerships in this phase of the campaign, please visit:

\patriotplaza.thepattersonfoundation.org.

Legacy of Valor

LINDA GOULD, ALICIA CHALMERS TO CONSULT ON LEGACY OF VALOR

December 14, 2012 by Melissa Thompson

On Dec. 3 we were so very excited and honored to share more about our partnership with the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to design and build Patriot Plaza, a ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

But what we are doing to honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom is so much more than bricks and mortar. Our first-of-its-kind journey with the NCA is filled with many opportunities to learn and share. A very important piece of this is Legacy of Valor, a community campaign in the months leading up Patriot Plaza’s spring 2014 dedication that will connect organizations in our community that already host events and activities with themes of honoring veterans, inspiring patriotism and embracing freedom.

Click to read more