The mission of the MOAA Chapter is to champion for the members of the uniformed services, their families and survivors and to advocate for a strong national defense, while providing needed support to the community and its members.

Membership in our Chapter is open to anyone who holds or has ever held a commission or warrant in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to include their surviving spouses. Interested persons are welcome to attend any of our functions to experience the camaraderie, energy and enthusiasm that make us great. You say, I am busy already, why should I join the local chapter? We join organizations that we feel we can and should make a contribution to. Many of us gave at least 20 years commissioned service to our country and feel that was enough, but inside each of us we know that we need to keep fighting for the benefits we earned due to years of sacrifice and forced separation. Plus, there is no greater camaraderie than that shared by brothers in arms who served our nation. We encourage you to check us out. Membership Contact person: LTC Evelyn Brady (see contact info above)

We are a very active chapter that meets once a month (except July & August) at various venues and locations. Our next meeting is a brunch on Saturday, April 20 at Club Green Meadows. the Presentation will be a comprehensive discussion about Medicare. We are proud to announce that our national President, VADM Ryan, will be our guest speaker at our 40th Anniversary Dinner to be held May 18, 2013 at the Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA. As you may know, our new SECDEF, Chuck Hagel, invited Admiral Ryan to meet with him on personnel issues recently. Come to support Terry Babin, John Donnelly and Larry Smith who will receive national leadership awards. Space is limited. Admission by advance prepaid RSVP NLT May 10. Contact John Donnelly at 360-904-8966 or donnellyj@comcast.net.

We have a very active legislative agenda. We support all MOAA Legislative alerts and have made two personal presentations to our 3rd US District Representative, Jaime Herrera Beutler and work closely with our US Senators' local veterans representatives at least quarterly. We provide members with a letter or postcard to sign on current issues at our monthly meetings.

Do you miss the camaraderie you knew when you served? If so, then the Colombia River Chapter is for you. Our dues are the lowest in the state at $15.00 a year--a really great deal. We also give four scholarships to students at Clark College and WSU Vancouver who have some military connections. Currently we give four $1000 scholarships each year and every year the recipients come our Christmas party and tell us about themselves and their ambitions and dreams.

We have won the national MOAA Five Star Award for the last seven consecutive years (the highest MOAA honor) due to our very active and involved chapter. Chartered in 1973, we serve the greater SW Washington area. Our meetings are held monthly (except July & August) at various times (i.e., weekday lunch, evening and weekend to accommodate our members) at various locations. Our national award winning newsletter is published six times a year. Copies are located at www.connect.moaa.org.