New Year Greetings or should I say Gratitudes…

Pondering what I have to say about the start of a new year.  The usual, it’s a time for new beginnings, a time to set new goals, a time to reflect on the past year or what? I choose gratitude this year. I am grateful for my military family history. First, there is my husband’s 22 years in the AF. Then my Dad who spent 20 years in the AF with service in Viet Nam. My Grandfather was lost to WWII in the Philippines, my Uncle served in Korea, my brother served in the Navy, my Aunt & Uncle served in the AF, my very close cousin spent more than 20 years (albeit as an officer – but all is forgiven) in the AF, and now my grandson is serving in the Army at Fort Lewis-McChord (whom my husband and I surprised by knocking on his door Christmas morning!). Only an incredibly young soldier and his wife would be so delighted to see his Grandparents on their military housing doorstep bearing gifts! Ah, the benefits of being retired military -- being able to surprise a soldier because you have a military ID card giving you access to any military base.

Interestingly, I did not grow up surrounded by the military. Instead, I grew up all throughout the mid-west and it wasn’t until I became a civil servant, at the ripe old age of 17, in Omaha, NE, that my passion for enlisted military personnel really started to develop. That’s when I became involved with base activities and programs and opportunities developed for our troops and their families. The key word here is involved.

Who knew that 53 years later, primarily as an NCOA Auxiliary member and as your NCOA International Auxiliary President, I still look for opportunities to support and care for our enlisted military! The many, many ways I and many of you support our past, present and current enlisted force are too vast to mention here. First and foremost is to make sure everyone knows who we are and what we do. I must admit that when I meet young miliary folks who have never even heard of NCOA I am so surprised!  When you are known to live and breathe something you tend to think everyone else does too. Well then, it’s up to me and all of us to make sure they are aware and know they and their families can join us in spreading the word and getting involved.

So, yes, I am grateful to NCOA for the continuing support to our enlisted military personnel through what we have to offer. And, yes, I will do my best to support NCOA in our mission, vision, and values by offering a membership to all those serving, those who have served, and all those who will serve. And, most especially their family members over the age of 18! I know each of you will also do your absolute best as well.

​Spring has sprung! At least it has here in sunny California. Spring is a time of fresh beginnings, hope for a good harvest and hearty growth. What a great segue into the heart of our Association - Membership!
 
Every organization I am involved with is struggling with growth. NCOA is no different, or are we? A lot of us are in the winter of our bloom which means we need to till the fields, plant those seeds, and fertilize and care for our current members. Then we can watch their growth as members and leaders. We all know someone who will benefit by being a bigger part of their communities, by volunteering when called and truly making a difference to our Veterans, past, present, and future. At the same time providing a network for their families with information, scholarships, grants, support, and friendship.
 
Spring is also a time when many of us "Spring Clean."  To that end our local chapters have a new and exciting project this year. We have partnered with a Veterans Homeless Shelter run by Volunteers of America (VOA). We asked what their top three needs were and the answers were surprising. First Need is new men's underwear. Wait, what? We always think of donating warm clothing, like coats, hats, gloves, socks, etc. During the intake process, the VOA provides a welcome bag with a change of clothes and basic hygiene products. Second Need is men's new or used clean jeans. Again, wait, what? We scour local Goodwill’s, thrift and charity shops (and our own closets) for these.  Third Need is coffee, sugar, and creamer. This one made sense as many of these folks have drug and alcohol addictions and if you have ever attended an AA Meeting, a lot of sugared coffee is consumed. Our local chapters meet the first Wednesday of every month and we have all agreed to bring and donate one of these three items before the meeting. I live close to the shelter and can deliver the items the next day. This year as you "Spring Clean" consider donating those jeans, hoodies, sweats, etc., to a homeless Veterans shelter, or for that matter, any homeless shelter.
 
      NCOA's annual conference will be here before we know it! The conference is in Norfolk, VA - 14-18 July 2025. I look forward to the conference every year. It is a time to learn about the annual events of NCOA, learn from a variety of speakers, renew old friendships, make new friendships and further our commitment to our Veterans. Plan to attend and I'll see you there!

Tammy Sullivan
International Auxiliary President
916-718-7750
www.ncoausa.org