December 30, 2020

MOAA Black Hills Chapter looks forward to 2021 !

Colonel Bob Mallow and wife Shirley
with our "Fiftieth Anniversary Affiliate
Award" received from national MOAA.


As we prepare for the new year, it's understandable that all of us are hoping for a better year in 2021.


That's especially true for the Black Hills Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.  Our chapter turned 50 years old in November 2020.  Deferring to the hazards of Covid-19, meetings were first postponed – then cancelled.  A planned December celebration, including a speaker from national MOAA headquarters had to be scrapped.  As it turned out, there was no celebration.  

 

With 2021 just around the corner, we know that the coronavirus remains a huge problem.  Nonetheless, with development and distribution of vaccines and precautionary measures, we’re optimistic about our future.


While a national MOAA representative wasn’t able to visit our chapter – and there was no big celebration – MOAA President, Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret) was kind enough to to send us a note of congratulations and a “Fiftieth Anniversary Affiliate Award” commemorating our 50 years of service. (Click images to see a larger versions.)


Before coronavirus spiked, our Black Hills Chapter Board of Directors met in person.  We’ve since discovered “Zoom” as a possible way to meet, and we’re forging ahead with chapter business and plans for a celebration later in 2021.  More importantly, we’ll be getting back to work as a chapter and will “Never Stop Serving.”

Our charter from MOAA, originally known as The Retired Officers Association (TROA), was reportedly presented by General Cyril Sheehan at the Gill Sun Inn in Rapid City on March 15, 1971.  Mel Hoherz of Deadwood coordinated the meeting.  Colonel Hoherz would go on to become president of the South Dakota Retired Officers Association.


Among the many locations that have hosted our Black Hills Chapter meetings over the years:  Ellsworth AFB Officers Club, the Crossroads Picnic House at Cheyenne Crossing, L’Epicure Restaurant in Rapid City, Sacora Station in Piedmont, Dave Turgeon’s Club in Central City, Timber of Ages Recreation Hall in Piedmont, the Radisson Hotel and the American Legion Club Post #22 in Rapid City.  We suspect there were other locations, too.


Of course, it’s people who make the organization, and we’ve been blessed to have leaders like Gus Jacob, Jerry Teachout, Dick Trankle, Denny York, Jim Cowan, Mary Piper, and Bonnie Walker, among others.   Other names prominent in news stories we've seen about our chapter over the years include Charles Gardner, Bill Colson, John King, James Bergman, Don Martini, John Welch, Don Smith, and Frank Howell.


Fellowship within any organization is important, and we all miss the social aspect of our MOAA organization.  That will return as we more aggressively resume activities consistent with our mission.  The Military Officers Association of America is a leading voice in protecting the rights of service members and their families.  MOAA is comprised of active duty, retired, and former commissioned officers and warrant officers from all of the uniformed services – Our membership includes Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.


As we enter 2021, we look forward to again seeing our members down the road.  If you're not a member, no matter which service branch you're from, we hope you'll consider joining our Black Hills Chapter!  We hope you all had a good holiday season!