 Happy May, NCOA Family,
First, I would like to thank all of our members who submitted input and provided recommendations for our new Medallions. A huge shout-out to our amazing headquarters staff for their hard work on our new programs. I hope you're enjoying our new social media presence as we continue to expand and connect with more of our community. As we take the month of May to remember and honor our Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I encourage you to pick one day each week to reach out to someone you served with. Your outreach can make a difference and may even save a life. Our Annual Conference is just around the corner! I hope you're as excited as I am for the event. Norfolk is ready for you and looks forward to showcasing all that the Hampton Roads area has to offer. I’m planning to announce a special "President’s Gift" before the conference... possibly a special raffle! Today, I had the honor of presenting the NCOA Vietnam War Medallion to Seaman Louis Voorhies aboard the Carnival Valor. Seaman Voorhies served in Operation Eagle Pull, the U.S. Military’s evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on April 12, 1975. This was a poignant reminder that we have heroes all around us. Enjoy the month of May, and I’ll see you on the seven seas! Strength in Unity!® Garry A. McClure FORCM, USN (Ret) NCOA President It's Women's History Month and I would like to thank all of our members who have been a driving force in our great organization. So many glass ceilings have been broken and reached over the past two years.
The National Women's History Alliance theme for Women's History Month 2025 is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations". This theme recognizes the contributions of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, emphasizing their collective strength and influence in shaping the minds and futures of all generations. nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org Our annual conference is quickly approaching. There are a lot of concerns about the changes that everyday Americans are facing. Every day is filled with situations that we can control with a lot focus and knowledge. Please stay informed and stay engaged with your chapter... We will get stronger together. ncoausa.org/conference Strength in Unity!® Garry A. McClure FORCM, USN (Ret) NCOA President  Happy 2025, I sincerely hope that everyone had a Joyous Holiday Season and that you're ready to hit deck running in this new year.
We have a change in our government and a location change for our annual conference. I would ask that you keep our brothers and sisters in the Los Angeles area in your thoughts and prayers. Please check on your friends and family as the impact of these fires touch many far and near. Now more then ever is the time to support the goodwill and any organization that provides care and clothing for our fellow citizens who have lost everything. Great News...our Executive Director and his team, with your support, have designed a beautiful Global Wars on Terrorism Medallion. More to follow. Our Annual Conference is knocking on your door and I look forward to seeing you in Norfolk and hearing about the great things you and your chapters have accomplished. The NCOA is strong and only getting stronger! Strength in Unity!® Garry A. McClure FORCM, USN (Ret) NCOA President Happy holidays to you and your families. However you celebrate the holiday season, I hope it brings comfort and calm. As we enjoy this time, I encourage you to keep in mind those who may be having a tough season. Every year, I drive around and hand out jackets to homeless individuals, along with a $10 gift card for a hot meal and coffee. Even small acts of kindness can make a difference for someone in need. Recently, I joined our NCOA team at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony. Standing alongside other Military and Veteran Service Organizations, we honored those who came before us. It was a reminder of the strength and unity our community shares when we come together. Our work continues as we build on the NCOA mission. Please remember that our “Each One, Reach One” membership campaign runs until December 31. By bringing in just one new member, you’ll receive an NCOA Lapel Pin and help our organization grow stronger. Through our combined efforts, we can better serve our members, advocate for their needs, and keep our community moving forward into the new year. Thank you for being part of the NCOA, and best wishes for a peaceful holiday season. Strength in Unity!® Garry A. McClure FORCM, USN (Ret) NCOA President  Proud to have served. "REMEMBER."
I sincerely hope that you and your family enjoyed your Veterans Day and the weekend. I spent Veterans Day with our Grand Knight Sir Scott Ytzen, Director of Government Affairs Levi Sadr, and some outstanding active duty service members from our Colorado Air Academy Chapter and North Carolina All American Chapter. A huge thank you goes out for their support in laying the NCOA wreath and proudly carrying our Nation's Flag (CPL Chase Frick) and NCOA Flag (SSG Jarkeveous Williams) during the Veterans Day Ceremony Parade of Colors at Arlington National Cemetery. These young members are the future of our great organization. Chapters, please be sure to share your Veterans Day experiences with our members via social media. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year knocking on our door, I would like to ask that you take some time to think about some past and current friends that you served with and reach out to them just to wish them happy holidays. Your call, text, or email could change or even save a life. Please continue to share your chapters' best practices, they are great training tools for our new chapters and members. Thanks for being a member of our outstanding organization. Happy Thanksgiving! Strength in Unity!® Garry A. McClure FORCM, USN (Ret) NCOA President The NCOA and A Bigger Foot Print and Vision. I would like to share that my prayers have been going up for the many that have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Please keep lifting your prayers and supporting our friends, family and Chapter Members affected. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let's support the fight for a cure. Our Membership drive is a key player in our future success as an organization. Each person you meet is a potential future NCOA member if you just take the time to share your story and what the NCOA does for our members and everyday Americans. Membership the lifeblood of OUR Association! I would like to thank our Director of Government Affairs Levi Sadr and Stephen Kingsley from the NCOA All American Chapter at Fort Liberty, NC, for joining me at the TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) 2nd Annual TAPS Gold Star Families Advocacy Week. Our support and footprint supporting TAPS and Gold Star family members speaks volumes for what we do as an organization. It would be a great show of support if each chapter sponsored one or two chapter members from their chapters in support of this advocating event next year. Please come join me and Levi on the Hill. Today the NCOA remains a vital fraternal, benevolent non-profit organization and acts as a conduit between the military and civilian communities in local areas and promotes positive community relations, as one of the well respected members of the The Military Coalition (TMC). We need to stay engaged and active in events that support veterans. The NCOA remains a much needed and vital benevolent non-profit organization - a positive bridge between the military and our civilian communities. Let's keep the push for change and please continue to share your chapter's best practices. The holidays and our Annual Conference are right around the corner. Enjoy the rest of this month and FULL SPEED AHEAD. Please review the bills below that we advocated for on the Hill. One Member at a Time-Each One Reach One!     15 September 2024The month of September is filled with historical and memorable dates. The remarkable moments of 9/11 and how it changed the lives of many. September is also National Suicide Prevention Month - Think about an old friend or someone that you served with and reach out to them... your phone call or message could really save a life. And let's not forget the birth of the Air Force, established on September 18, 1947 - "Aim High... Fly-Fight-Win". The challenge is still on for new membership and volunteers for the Day on the Hill Event, with Gold Star Family Members, on 23 to 25 September. I plan to join this great event and represent the NCOA. I will be flying from Singapore to attend. Looking to re-energize the Las Vegas area and sprout chapters in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tokyo, Japan... Fingers Crossed! We have all the tools in place to grow NCOA and add to our voice on the Hill. One Member at a Time-Each One Reach One! CHART OUR ROAD TO SUCCESS The road to our future successes has begun. I would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s Conference and I hope you and chapter members enjoyed it as much as I did. For those members who could not attend - I hope to see you next year. From the growth of our Rat Pack, to our new Board members to installing our new Grand Knight and the advancement of several Knights within the Knights of the Square Table, it was a great experience. Hats off to the entire NCOA executive and administration team. Your hard work was present from day one to the end.
Where do we go from here? I would like to intensity our efforts in getting new members and establishing new chapters within a 100 mile radius of existing chapters. I urge every member to recruit one new member a month to your chapter AND urge each chapter to set a goal to bring five members from your chapter to our 2025 Annual Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. The impact that we have as an organization is only felt and shared by your dedication to serve our active duty service and our veterans. Our active duty service members want to be a part of improvement and change within our military service. So let them know that we are their voice and explain to them what the NCOA is and how we work for them. Then hand them a membership application and sign them up. This is the time to grow the NCOA and get some younger members in, so that they can learn from your wisdom and years of service to our NCOA. Strength in Unity! Garry McClure Force Master Chief (Ret) USN NCOA President Email: [email protected] MESSAGE FROM THE NCOA PRESIDENT 15 June 2024 Greetings! Let the count down begin. It's a little over 30 days before our Annual Conference, Business Meeting and Knights Assembly. The NCOA HQ has planned a very informational and fun filled event for our members and I do look forward to meeting each member in attendance. Don't wait, now is the time for YOU to be a part of any NCOA's future changes to our organization and programs. Your voice and your ideas are the keys to our future success and the change engine that directs changes and improvements from within. I look forward to our Medallion growing even more popular from state to state in the years to come... If you haven't registered for our conference. Now is the time to move that move. Detailed information can be found on www.ncoausa.org. or call the headquarters if you have any questions or concerns. (210) 653-6161. Enjoy the following picture of the joy of awarding our Medallion to our Veterans. Strength in Unity®   In case you missed it... NCOA President Paul Kingsbury was joined by NCOA's Executive Director Joe Terry, and our partners from USAA - Eva Ruona, Lead Account Manager, and Steven Cochran, USAA SVP Affinity Management and Development, for a Facebook Live NCOA update on March 24. Click the image to view the video.
 In case you missed it... NCOA President Paul Kingsbury was joined by NCOA's Chairman of the Board Terry Haines, Executive Director Joe Terry, and Membership Committee Chair Tammy Sullivan for a Facebook Live NCOA update on January 27. Click the image to view video.
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