Team NCOA!

This year is moving along at a fast pace! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please take the time to celebrate with family and friends. Also, if you are able, reach out to someone that may be in need, especially during this Holiday Season.

NCOA is seeking design ideas for our next War Service Recognition Medallion - The Non Commissioned Officers Association Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism Medallion.

• All artwork must be original. Any submission that is not original artwork will be disqualified (copyright images, computer graphics, etc.).  
• All submissions must be in the format of a PDF or JPG. 
• All colors must be solid. 
• Contest will run from 1 November thru 31 December 2024. All entry submissions must be sent to [email protected].
• The Individual submitting the winning design will receive recognition on all NCOA social media pages and will receive the very first Medallion once designed.  In addition, the individual selected will receive a 2-year complimentary membership which can be transferred to someone else who is eligible to join. 
  
  

Fall Membership Challenge - One Member At A Time - Each One-Reach One! Challenge will run from 15 Oct - 31 Dec 2024.  Sign up a New Member and receive an NCOA Lapel Pin. Application with payment can be sent to NCOA Headquarters, Attn: Joe Terry. If an individual signs up online, we will need their name/sponsor to verify membership.
 
NCOA Chapter Start up - If you or someone you know in your area would like to consider starting up a chapter, please reach out to Ms. Tina Kish or myself and we will be more than happy to assist. It only takes 5 dedicated paid members to get a new chapter started. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Consider supporting our Benevolent Funds Programs – Every Dollar Counts and can make a Difference!!!  https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/one-dollar-can-make-a-difference.
 
As always, thank you for your part in helping us achieve our overall goal of being the Military Service Organization of Choice! One Member at a Time-Each One-Reach One!
 
Strength in Unity®

Joseph Terry, SGM, U.S. Army (Ret)
NCOA Executive Director
9330 Corporate Drive, Suite 708
Selma Texas. 78154

​Facebook: NCOA USA and NCOA Strength In Unity
INSTAGRAM: NCOA1960

Proud to have served. "REMEMBER."
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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

​Rogue Chapter Chairman Terry Haines presented WW2 Medallions to David Samples on behalf of his father, Navy veteran Charles Samples and Charles Facey on behalf of his uncles, Army veteran Ariel Facey, Navy veterans Thomas Beers and Willie Facey. He then presented a Korean Medallion to Charles Facey on behalf of his uncles, Army veterans Albert Facey and Eldon Bingham. All presentations took place at a Chamber of Commerce Greeters in Medford, OR.

​Story Credit - Zak Keeney for the Klamath Falls Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon - In a ceremony nearly 60 years in the making, heroes in the truest sense of the word were finally welcomed home over the weekend.

“Good morning, Vietnam!” Retired Air Force Colonel Steve Harper’s voice boomed through Hancock Hall at the Klamath County Fairgrounds and Event Center.

At its height, more than 500,000 fighting men and women would hear that sign-on slogan played across the Armed Forces Network in Vietnam every morning at six a.m. while battling for South Vietnamese independence and the prevention of further communist spread in the region.

What would become America’s longest and most divisive military conflict, the Vietnam War is often reflected on with somber regret and considered a failure despite American troops winning every significant battle. Over 3.1 million US Armed Forces personnel were stationed in Vietnam, an estimated 25 percent of those being draftees, with 57,939 members either killed or missing as a result of the war.

But, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, 51 years after the end of US involvement, a gathering of more than 90 servicemen and women who’d seen the war firsthand, finally were given what many veterans of that era longed for: kindness and respect.

“These men and women never got the homecoming they deserved,” Non Commissioned Officers Association Command Chief and Master of Ceremonies Peter Gleason said. “This is something long overdue.”

For most, returning home from Vietnam was met with indifference, hostility and blame. These knightly men and women were often spat on and called baby killers. They were treated with coldness and hostility for doing what only 7 percent of all living Americans have done, serving their country.

“They (American citizens) weren’t too keen on us (Vietnam Veterans),” Doug Leehmann, a paratrooper in the conflict, said.

While attitudes toward the war have improved, many veterans of the era felt isolated and unheard, and while most of those veterans say they would never do it again, according to recent statistics, 90 percent say they are proud of their service.

“We saw you and still see you,” Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot said in a welcoming speech. “You are strong and you are courageous. You taught us what service and sacrifice means. You are our heroes. It’s definitely late, but welcome home. We are grateful that you all are here, and thank you.”

In an invitation to all Vietnam Veterans, The Klamath County Veterans Service Office and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association held a welcome home luncheon and ribbon ceremony.
The former Kingsley Field base commander and a Vietnam Veteran himself, Col. (Ret) Harper gave out what he described as a “well-earned piece of brass” to 90 service men and women that afternoon whose names were: Adolf, Gerald; Applegate, George; Ballard, Ronald; Brown, Bennett; Burrus, Dan; Caillouette, Courad; Campbell, Ronald; Cogdill, Bill; Crandry, Harry; Crowley, Ted; Dean, Gerald; Defransico, Nicholas; Depweg, David; Ebinger, Henry; Field, John; Flory, Gail; Frei, Warren; Garich, Homer; Garland, Fred; George, Jerry; Glick, Kirth; Gogo, William; Gogolin, Thomas; Grace, James; Gray, Charles; Gregory, Gray; Guerrero, Richard; Hansen, Norman; Harmon, James; Harper, Steve; Harper, Sherry; Haugen, Warren; Henslee, Joe; Hollinger, David; Holcomb, Ralph; Honish, Robert; Hoy, Chuck; Huseby, Ronald; Hutchin, Jerald; Icenbice, Kenneth; Ivie, Ray; Jameson, Phillip; Kelly, Michael; Kilpatrick, Earl; Krupnak, Walter; Leehman, Douglas; Liskey, Rocky; Lopez, Jesus; Macomber, Phil; Manard, Aldon; Mathews, Allen; Meek, Leon; Meredith, Robert; Mick, Robert; Morris William; Murphy, Ronald; Muzzey, Thomas; Nelson, Mike; Norlin, David; Newnham, Doris; Oosterman, Nicolas; Pattee, Roger; Quen, Benjamin; Ritter, Robert; Rhodes, George; Roberts, Dennis; Ronningen, Kenneth; Rott, Dave; Stembridge, Montie; Shaw, Robert; Smith, Larry; Smith, William; Stoke, Larry; Storey, Douglas; Thompson, Michael; Telle, Pete; Trumbly, Anthony; Tucker, Steven; Tyler, Roy; Van Buren, Phillip; VandeZandschulp, Conrad; Walbotn, Avery; Walters, James; Waters, Marell; West, Paul; Wheeler, Thomas.

“These are all a great bunch of guys (and gals). I’m proud to be in attendance with them,” 94-year-old veteran of Korea and Vietnam Earl Kilpatrick said.
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​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.

October 5, 2024 - NCOA Board member, Past Grand Knight, and member of the NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter CMSgt Ted Pilihos, USAF (Ret), recently presented NCOA Korea and Vietnam War Medallions during the 39th Annual Chief's Gathering at the Blue Bonnet Dance Hall in Selma, Texas. 

Pictured below from left to right are:  CMSgt Bobby Valdez, USAF (Ret), CSM Mack Clanton, USA (Ret), Sir Ted Pilihos, CSM Paul Greenwood, USA (Ret), CMSgt Fil Villarreal, USAF (Ret); and CMSgt Bob Layman, USAF (Ret).  Valdez, Clanton, and Villarreal were recognized with Vietnam War Medallions while Greenwood and Layman were recognized with Korea War Medallions.

NCOA's newest chapter - the NCOA Steel City Chapter - was established last weekend.  In addition to swearing in the new chapter trustees, several NCOA medallions were presented.

A huge shout-out to NCOA members Janet and Lenny Schroth for hosting the cook-out event and to Lady Vicky Hensley for proving and presenting NCOA medallions to the deserving veterans.

The 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.  

The NCOA is excited to announce a partnership with Firearms Legal Protection (FLP) as its exclusive partner for self-defense legal protection.

Would you use your firearm or a legal weapon to defend yourself – or others? According to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice, approximately 80 percent of criminal defendants in the US cannot afford a private attorney. Oct 27, 2023

The physical fight is sadly only the first fight. We provide the best self-defense attorneys available to protect your freedom and your financial security. The cost for not being prepared can quickly climb into the tens or hundreds of thousands. Our motto is simple: “Protect Yourself – We’ll Protect You”.

• The NCOA negotiated rates start at $9.95/month with no setup fee. Use code “NCOA” for the best available rate.
• First 30 sign ups also include an NCOA/Firearms Legal Protection ball cap.
• Your Firearms Legal Protection membership supports the NCOA since a portion of the proceeds from your membership will be donated back to the NCOA continuously as long as your membership remains active. 
  
• Do your research - Firearms Legal Protection doesn’t bundle cheap range bags, outdated video training, or old printed magazines that add extra cost. We focus on the best legal protection with the most qualified self-defense attorneys available.
• 100% uncapped attorney fees (both criminal & civil). You never pay a dime – we pay everyone directly.
• Access to 24/7 attorney answered hot-line to establish attorney-client privilege instantly.
• Access to the “My FLP” mobile app that also updates your eligible states for carry reciprocity.
• Nationwide and full 50 state protection is available in our premium plans.
• You also Price-Lock your rate plan as it will never increase while you’re a member.
• FLP has provided legal self-defense protection for over 100k members since 2014.

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​Go to Benefit!

​Waldorf University is offering NCOA members and their family members exclusive discounts that include:

• Silver Plus Level Partnership (online programs):
• Waived application fee.
• No fees for textbooks.
• No ACT, SAT, GRE, or GMAT requirements for online programs.
• 15% online tuition discount for members, volunteers, employees, and affiliated family members.
• Online scholarship opportunities for members, employees, and volunteers:
• Waldorf Learning Partner Scholarship: 2-year, 60 credit hours:
• Awarded every two months - apply anytime of the year.
• Online college courses for dependents (High School Juniors and Seniors) via the Waldorf University StartPoint Program:
• Attend online class with regular college students:
• All Waldorf online courses are 8-weeks long and 100% online.
• Do online coursework during allotted school time or at home, on the weekends, and / or during summer break.
• Eligible to register for one online course every 8-weeks.
• Receive 3 credits for each successfully completed online course:
• Waldorf University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accrediting body.
• Flat "all-in" rate of $250 per online StartPoint course.

Go to Benefit!

Stars and Stripes provides independent news and information to the U.S. military community, including active-duty service members, DoD civilians, veterans, contractors, and their families. Unique among Department of Defense authorized news outlets, Stars and Stripes is governed by the principles of the First Amendment, keeping it free from censorship or interference.    
   
First appearing during the Civil War, Stars and Stripes has published continuously since WWII, serving the military community by reporting on the news that matters most to them. Best known for the daily printed paper delivered to service members serving in remote and sometimes dangerous areas, Stars and Stripes is also available online at Stripes.com, updated 24/7 by our news bureaus around the world. 

Stars and Stripes is proud to be working with the Non Commissioned Officers Association. In honor of their important mission and to thank their volunteers, we’re offering a 50% discount on Annual subscriptions to Stripes.com Digital Access. Use the code NCOA50. 

Direct link for subscription code: https://www.stripes.com/?view=select&coupon_code=NCOA50

Members of the Korea Chapter recently visited the Ain House Orphanage.  Chapter Chairman Bobby McKnight presented a Certificate of Excellence to the Orphanage.  A delicious meal of pizza was donated by local businesses and was enjoyed by all.

Rogue Chapter members presented NCOA War Medallions during the chapter's recent membership drive.