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MOAA’s signature legislative effort, Advocacy in Action (AiA), once again highlighted the power of coordinated advocacy—with the Cape Canaveral Chapter at the forefront!  This year, Florida combined in-person engagement on Capitol Hill with a strong statewide virtual network, proving effective advocacy is about amplifying voices everywhere.

On April 15, 160 MOAA members visited nearly 300 congressional offices, meeting lawmakers and staff in every setting imaginable. Despite record heat in Washington, the momentum remained strong. As MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), noted, AiA is an “energy-adding event” that showcases the strength of grassroots advocacy.

Team Florida was led by Florida Council President and MOAACC member, COL Steve Bond, USA (Ret) and represented in Washington by six delegates conducting 21 congressional meetings.  Back home, members amplified those efforts with nearly 5,000 messages to lawmakers—led by the Cape Canaveral Chapter as the top contributor.  Together, this unified approach ensured a clear message: protect the earned benefits of service members, veterans, families, and survivors.  This year’s AiA focus centered on four bipartisan priorities:

• The Major Richard Star Act
• The Shutdown Fairness Act
• The GUARD VA Benefits Act
• The Military CARE Act

Advocacy doesn’t begin or end in Washington—it starts locally with each of us. Florida continues to set the standard, showing what’s possible when members engage at every level.  The Cape Canaveral Chapter leads MOAA in registered advocates, yet only about 20% of our members are signed up. We can—and must—do better. If you’ve already taken action, thank you. If not, now is the time.  Visit https://moaa.quorum.us/ to get involved. Your voice matters. Advocacy is MOAA’s top mission—and one of the most powerful ways we live our promise to Never Stop Serving.

From left, Tony LaVecchia-Florida Council VP, Aric Raus-MOAA Board Member,  Pat Green-Council Surviving Spouse Liaison, Niche Patxot-Council Area VP, Steve Bond-Council President and MOAACC member, and Joe Gollasch-MOAA Virtual Council Pres. 

Meeting on 15 April with FL08 Congressman Mike Haradopolos (C), with Aric Raus (L) and Steve Bond (R).

MOAA ‘Heat Map’ of AiA messages sent.  Florida sent more messages than any other state—nearly 5,000--with Cape Canaveral Chapter leading the way!