* Members of our New River Chapter supported keeping marathoners, 1/2 marathoners and 5K runners hydrated at todays annual New River Marathon.

* Shown here are two photos of why runners LOVE coming to beautiful Ashe County to run along the New River and enjoy a picture perfect fall Saturday.

* The members of the New River Chapter gathered for an especially memorable evening at the home of Chapter At-Large Member, Charles Knapp.

* In his COVID-19 spare time, Charles constructed a beautiful, new outdoor patio (seen here) at his home at 500 Rooster Ridge Road in Lansing, NC.

* Charles and his wife Mary invited all our New River Members AND guests to his home on June 19th to enjoy seating around the outdoor fire pit. There were picnic tables and chairs set up in the patio area and everyone brought desserts, finger foods and the like to share with fellow revelers.

* The activity got underway @ 1700 and everyone stayed to enjoy their fill of scrumptious goodies and even hung around until just before darkness!!

* The Chapter was also treated to a medley of tunes from honorary Chapter member Earl Inge and Mary Knapp. Open here to view one of Earl and Mary's songs on our Facebook page.

* See the accompanying photos of the 25+ members enjoying having to no longer socially distance while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow New River Chapterites (sp?).

* On June 29th, the eight officers and Board of Directors attended the regular Chapter social gathering at the home of Charles and Mary Knapp.

* The members took a few minutes after dinner was served to assemble on the stairs to Charles’ new patio to post this photograph of our Chapter leadership.

* Shown (right top) are Bob Worley, Doug Ehrhardt and Charles Knapp; (middle row) Don Goodhart and Barbara Sears; and (lower row) Steve Tucker, Jim Cain and Mik Mikulan.

* The New River Chapter's Board of Directors has prepared a calendar of events for our membership in 2021 that began with a Thursday evening "Meet and Greet" held at the exciting new location for The Tavern (formerly the Sears store) in West Jefferson, NC @ 1730. This first gathering of our membership was an opportunity for members to renew acquaintances and maybe even meet new people.

* In lieu of a regular gathering with a more traditional dining experience, the Chapter reserved the use of the small dining room at the Tavern where attendees ordered their own drinks from the bar - beer, wine or cocktails - and numerous delicious hors-d'oeuvres were available on tables in the meeting space.

* The May 20th regular meeting was a wonderful opportunity for a return to "normal" activities with the New River Chapter after a L-O-N-G absence that was necessitated by COVID-19. See the photographs that are a part of this post for pictures of chapter members enjoying the time to get reacquainted and celebrate POST COVID-19!

* We look forward to having many members come out for all of our "GREAT" 2021 New River Chapter events. Remember to bring a friend or acquaintance especially if he/she is in our eligible field of participants (any veteran who is or was in one of the seven commissioned branches of the military). Open/print the attached, downloadable file that has a calendar and a description of each of the events in 2021. Pin it to your refrigerator or make notes in your own calendar and plan to attend at least one meeting this year!

The New River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recently provided a MOAA Leadership award to a deserving JROTC student in the junior year at Ashe County High School. A certificate was awarded to CDT/CPT Chloe Miller. Due to limitations with COVID-19, the Chapter was unable to make an in-person award presentation to the student, and instead the award was presented by LTC David Hollis, JROTC senior instructor via a Zoom teleconference. The accompanying photograph was provided for posting on the New River Chapter website and for publishing in a future e-newsletter

The New River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recently provided a scholarship award to a deserving ROTC student at Ashe County High School. A certificate and a $1000 Rear Admiral Scott L. Sears, USN scholarship was awarded to Cadet Battalion Executive Officer Maura Coldiron. Due to limitations with COVID-19, the Chapter was unable to make an in-person award presentation to the student, instead the award was presented by LTC David Hollis, JROTC senior instructor via a Zoom teleconference. The accompanying photograph was provided for posting on the New River Chapter website and for publishing in a future e-newsletter

The New River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recently provided a leadership award to a deserving Junior ROTC students at Wilkes Central High School. The MOAA Leadership Award and medal was awarded to Cadet 1st Lieutenant Nathanial Dishman. Due to limitations for in-person meeting with COVID-19, the Chapter made the award presentation to the student via a Zoom teleconference. The accompanying photograph was provided by Lt. Col. Sapp for posting on the New River Chapter website and published in our e-newsletter.

* The New River Chapter will once again support the New River Marathon in 2020. Originally planned for June, the Marathon had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but as the need for social distancing is being slowly eliminated, the organizers of the marathon are looking ahead to the first Saturday in October.

* New River Chapter members are invited and encouraged to plan on being part of this worthwhile activity...the event sponsors always help us out with a generous donation to our Sears Scholarship program.

* We will man two watering stations along the 26.2 mile route on Railroad Grade Road and serve up water, GatorAde and hammer gel to keep the runners on pace. This is always a fun time for our members as we gather in support of the New River Marathon.

* Join us in October!

Over 20 New River Chapter members and guests gathered for an 11:00 AM breakfast social atop Mount Jefferson State Park...the gathering included a generous donation of donuts and fritters from Hole Lotta Donuts in West Jefferson, NC.

The New River Chapter was awarded $5,000 from the MOAA's COVID-19 Emergency Relief grant to which an additional $1,200 was added from our Chapter Treasury and member donations...a total $3,100 was sent to each of the North Carolina Fisher Houses following the cancellation of our 2020 Marathon Jam but after our Chapter BOD made the decision to continue to support the Fisher House organization.

Open the calendar and read the post concerning our cancellation of plans to host a social dining out for members at the Winner's Circle restaurant in Jefferson, NC.

The New River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recently provided awards to two deserving Junior ROTC students at Wilkes Central High School. A certificate and a $1000 Rear Admiral Scott L. Sears, USN scholarship was awarded to Cadet Logistics Officer Nolan Simmons. The MOAA Leadership Award with medal was awarded to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Ivette Ibarra. Due to the unforeseen complications with the COVID-19 crisis, the Chapter was unable to make the award presentations to the students at the normally hosted ceremonies at the high school. The accompanying photographs were provided by Lt. Col. Sapp for posting on the New River Chapter website and to be published in our "New River Current" quarterly newsletter.

The New River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recently provided awards to two deserving Junior ROTC students at Ashe County High School. A certificate and a $1000 Rear Admiral Scott L. Sears, USN scholarship was awarded to Cadet Battalion S1 Bethany Bare. The MOAA Leadership Award with medal was awarded to Caded 2LT Jernee Ashley. Due to the unforeseen complications with the COVID-19 crisis, the Chapter was unable to make the award presentations to the students at the normally hosted ceremonies at the high school. The accompanying photographs were provided for posting on the New River Chapter website and published in our "New River Current" quarterly newsletter and show ACHS JROTC Senior Instructor LTC(R) David Hollis sharing the awards with Cadets Bare and Ashley.

The New River Chapter held a regular membership meeting on October 15th at the new Ashe County Chamber of Commerce meeting site in West Jefferson, The Venue. The Chapter also welcomed MOAA's Senior Director, Council and Chapters, COL Terri Coles as guest speaker. Shown in the photograph is Chapter Chair for Personal Affairs and Surviving Spouse Liaison, Barbara Sears (left) and Chapter President, LCDR Steve Tucker, USN (Ret.) (right) enjoying some warmth with COL Coles near a fire pit on the patio area at the Hotel Tavern where the Chapter went after the meeting for dinner and drinks.

A final view of even more veterans having received a "healing" quilt from the Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

The New River Chapter held our annual summer picnic at the home of Program Chair, Charles Knapp and Mary around the wonderful fire pit that Charles created a few years back. There were 20 members, spouses and guests in attendance to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow retired officers in Ashe County and enjoy in the many good eats that were brought for sharing, along with some scrumptious burgers that were from some of the cattle that are on Charles property.

To make the day more special, we also welcomed a new member, Roger and his wife Sue Fox to our group. Sue was a card playing acquaintance of Cathy Ehrhardt and when asked, once she learned that Roger flew helicopters for the U.S. Navy, if he was a MOAA member and if the knew we are one of the 14 Chapters in the North Carolina Council, the answer, of course led to extending them an invite to the picnic and we look forward to having Roger sign up as a new recruit!

The picture (above right) shows the Knapp's fire pit and the burgers (lower right) waiting to be served.

Scan the many other photographs from the picnic by clicking on the label (8 more) that is found above the top picture.

The New River Chapter members (20 strong!) gathered at the home of Personal Affairs Chair, Barbara Sears for our annual Chapter summer picnic.

As is usually the case, the goodies brought by members were plenty and the burgers and dogs offered up by the Chapter were consumed with great gusto! Thanks to everyone for another GREAT FEAST!

The New River Chapter hosted a regular monthly meeting on July 14th by gathering for a social dining event at The Tavern in West Jefferson. Once again offering outdoor seating on the patio, 17 chapter members enjoyed the weather at the early evening social on the patio with drinks and a meal of their choosing.

See the accompanying photographs above our Chapter logo of our group of loyal veterans, spouses and an honorary member in support of MOAA via the chapter programs.

HERE WE GO AGAIN! We'll be meeting on Thursday, September 15, 2022 @ 1100 at Mount Jefferson State Park for our 2nd Breakfast on the Mountain.

Join us!

On May 28, 2022, the New River Chapter hosted a music event - Music Honoring Ashe County Veterans - at the Ashe Civic Center from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Formerly our Marathon Jam, this was our first fund raising opportunity to support the Fisher Houses of NC since we had to cancel Jams in 2020 and 2021.

The program featured four local musicians/music groups.

- Little Horse Band

- Ruby Goose

- Sheets Family Band

- Jam Kids

During breaks in the music portion of the program, local veterans were honored with the presentation of "Healing Quilts" donated by the Ashe Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

There was $10 admission and all proceeds will benefit the Fisher Houses of NC at Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg.

Open the attached photographs for pictures from the event.

The tribute to Ashe County veterans was highlighted by these four musical groups:

- Little Horse Band

- Ruby Goose

- Sheets Family Band

- Jam Kids

On May 28, 2022, the New River Chapter is hosting a music event - Music Honoring Ashe County Veterans - that will be held at the Ashe Civic Center from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Formerly our Marathon Jam, this is our first fund raising opportunity that supports the Fisher Houses of NC since we had to cancel Jams in 2020 and 2021...the program will feature four local musicians/music groups and we will again be honoring local veterans with the presentation of "Healing Quilts" that have been donated by the Ashe Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

Admission will be $10 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the Fisher Houses of NC at Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg.

Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for this memorable event. Open the link below for more information about the Ashe Civic Center.

My ornament sale is here! Next Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 3:00 to 5:00 the displayed ornaments (and more) will be for sale at my home, 329 Old Mill Road Todd NC 28684. Or you can call me at my home phone number is 336-877-3203.

Anyone interested who doesn’t live in Stonebridge, please call me on Sunday at 3:00 as I will post all ornaments at 2:00 that day as a preview. I will be painting all this week!

The money raised from the sale of these holiday ornaments will go to the two Fisher Houses in NC. Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. The Fisher House serves veteran families. It’s like the Ronald McDonald house only for veterans. As with last year, I'm sending the monies go through the Ashe county MOAA so all checks have to be made out to the MOAA New River Chapter.

Finally, I make no profit from this sale. I love our veterans!!! If you have any questions you can call me, or please come by and support our veterans.

Persons wanting to learn more about our Chapter's fundraising scholarship program, or wanting to purchase or donate to the fund, can now link directly to the category on our web pages menu - to the left.

The first opportunity after COVID-19 shut our fund raising efforts to support the Fisher Houses of North Carolina will be on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

We will hold a three hour music program from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson.

A second Blue Ridge Honor Flight was organized and held for select veterans from Watauga and Ashe Counties for travel to the nations capital to participate in a day-long commemorative celebration of their time in VietNam.

Open the below message shared by CDR Mik Mikulan, USPHS, Ret. on the significance and meaning of the event.

The New River Chapter was one of several veteran organizations in Ashe County that participated in a day to honor veterans that was held at the Ashe County Courthouse.

Open the files above the Chapter's logo to view additional photographs from the Veterans Day ceremony.

Open and read our Calendar Subdirectory for the dates of the many programs planned for the New River Chapter in 2022.

In May, you will note that we are hosting another music event - Honoring Veterans with Music - that will be held at the Ashe Civic Center from 1:00 - 4:00 PM on May 28, 2022. Formerly our Marathon Jam, the program will feature local musicians/music groups and we will again be honoring local veterans with the presentation of "Healing Quilts" that have been donated by the Ashe Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

Admission will be $10 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the Fisher Houses of NC at Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg.

Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for this memorable event. Open the link below for more information about the Ashe Civic Center.

New River Chapter President LCDR Steve Tucker participated in an Honor Flight that departed from Asheville, NC on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The picture below the Blue Ridge Honor Flight logo are the Ashe County veterans preparing to depart for the day long event in Washington, DC. Steve can just barely be seen in the 2nd row, 3rd from the right...

Open the many other photographs which Steve shared, along with his after action report - Blue Ridge Honor Flight - listed in the downloads below the photograph about the trip.

Finally, see Steve's information form - HonorFlight22 - also in the downloads, needed if someone wishes to nominate a veteran to participate in more Honor Flights in 2022.

* One complaint that Veterans have voiced about the VA is their uncertainty as to where to begin in order to receive services and supports.

* VA’s myriad of services, resources, and materials can be daunting. Therefore, the VA listened and released a Welcome Kit to guide Veterans to the benefits and services that they have earned.

* The VA Welcome Kit is user-friendly and addresses eligibility and benefits in six areas:

- Health Care,

- Finances,

- Housing,

- Employment,

- Education,

- Memorialization.

* Based on Veteran’s stage of life, Veterans can figure out how the VA can help in the present and future.

* Veterans can download a copy of the Welcome Kit for their convenience by clicking here.