Military Officer - March 2009 - (Page 12) fromthepresident Earning Greatness MOAA will work hard to ensure the new administration keeps its promises to the military community, so America’s servicemembers can continue to keep our nation great. T he news about the nation’s economic and other challenges is reaching and affecting each of us in various ways. Many predict things won’t get better for quite a while. That alone should motivate us, as citizens and as military people, to stay involved. President Obama laid the issues before us in his inaugural address. It now is up to each of us to decide how we’re going to assist in making improvements and restoring national confidence. MOAA intends to remain involved corporate citizens as we represent our members and seek the strongest possible national defense. Our scholarship program and partnerships with Army Recruiting and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve are just two examples of our effort. Throughout all the challenges, MOAA continues to be a highly responsible organization, using its valuable resources wisely, while at the same time doing what it takes to ensure that your quality of life is not eroded. We’re not looking for more — we’re simply seeking to ensure this nation continues to value military service and keeps its promises and commitments. In the next few months, you’ll hear lots of initiatives in the news to include pay freezes in certain federal organizations, increasing health care fees, and many other issues you believe might affect you. Please be assured that MOAA continues to be vigilant and there for you and remains fully “plugged in” on Capitol Hill, so we MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2009 can bring you the latest news and take action as needed. Our connection in Washington is one of the true values of belonging to MOAA. We all are facing these national challenges together. You can help us by sending in recommended postcards and letters to your elected representatives and by looking for ways, individually or jointly in your local MOAA chapter, to answer the president’s challenge to do more for this country through volunteering. It’s tough to determine what needs to be done, what you can do, and how best to get started. But the key is to get started. For ideas, go to www.usafreedomcorps.gov. President Obama says greatness must be earned. MOAA agrees, and, while we know our nation is still great, we must continue to earn that greatness every day. Helping others is part and parcel of being a good citizen. As military leaders and families, we are servant leaders — using our talents to help others. We need to continue to set the pace in service to our nation. We look forward to all that we as MOAA members can accomplish together in 2009. — Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT 12 http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov
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