The MOAACC Scholarship Corporation proudly recognized its 2026 scholarship recipients during the annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon held on July 21 at Colony Hall, Indian River Colony Club. This year, twelve outstanding students were each awarded a $7,000 scholarship, representing a total investment of $84,000 in their continued education. The recipients were selected from 28 completed applications following a highly competitive and thoughtful review process. Nine of the twelve recipients attended the luncheon in person, accompanied by family members and friends. For the three recipients unable to attend, a parent or family representative proudly accepted the scholarship on their behalf. It was an inspiring event that provided members an opportunity to meet these exceptional young scholars, hear about their accomplishments, and congratulate them as they continue their academic journeys. Led by Vice Admiral Don Hagen, USN Retired, the awards ceremony was outstanding, as always. Special thanks are extended to Dan Levy, Brent Baysinger, Mike Yaeger, Arnold Lim, and the entire Scholarship Selection Committee and Scholarship Corporation team for their dedication and hard work in making another scholarship year such a tremendous success. During the luncheon, Sam Ginsburg was also recognized for his generous and sustained contributions to the MOAACC Scholarship Corporation over the past several years. Sam, thank you for all you have done—and continue to do—to support the education and future success of our military families. Since its founding in 1984, the MOAACC Scholarship Corporation has awarded more than $1.15 million in scholarships to 339 students attending 86 colleges and universities nationwide. This year’s luncheon was another proud example of MOAACC’s enduring commitment to service, education, and the next generation.
DFAS Monthly Retiree Newsletter
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Army Echoes is the U.S. Army's official newsletter for retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, and their families. It provides timely information on military retirement benefits, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) updates, TRICARE and Medicare changes, VA benefits, DFAS pay matters, legislative and policy changes, and other programs affecting the retired military community. Its purpose is to help retirees and survivors stay informed, maintain access to earned benefits, and remain connected to the Army family. CLICK HERE for the latest edition. Typical topics include: Retirement pay and COLA updates Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) information TRICARE and healthcare changes VA benefits and survivor programs Retiree Appreciation Days (RADs) Military community news and resources Guidance for surviving spouses and families As of 2026, Army Echoes is transitioning to primarily digital distribution, with notifications sent through the retiree's DFAS myPay email account.
By Jim DesJardin, LTC, USA (Ret), Chairman, MOAACC Student Affairs At our May luncheon, the MOAACC’s Student Affairs Committee had the honor of hosting and recognizing fourteen outstanding young men and women who have earned appointments to our nation’s Military Academies or received Senior ROTC scholarships. Their achievements reflect exceptional academic performance, leadership ability, physical fitness, and a strong commitment to serving our nation, their schools and their communities. These students exemplify the Scholar-Athlete-Leader (SAL) model emphasized by our Military Academies and Senior ROTC programs. Collectively, they have excelled in the classroom—many maintaining GPAs of 4.0 or higher—while also demonstrating athletic excellence through varsity sports participation, team captaincies, and individual athletic accomplishments. Most importantly, they have shown the character and leadership potential required for one of the most demanding and honorable professions in our nation: military service. The luncheon was well attended by community leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Rendell, members of the School Board, parents and friends of the honorees, and many MOAACC members. Each student received an MOAACC Certificate of Excellence and an MOAACC Challenge Coin. The presentations were made by Chapter President Rosa Reich, Superintendent Dr. Rendell, and Donn Weaver, President of Good Deeds. The following students were honored: Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School – Rylan Reyes, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Eau Gallie High School – Thomas Good, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy; T’Mari Bowe, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School – Preston Ratliff, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of Miami Melbourne Central Catholic High School – Joseph Colombo, appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point Merritt Island High School – Nathan Oglesby, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Auburn University; Garrett Hall, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Haley Underwood, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College; Ryan Gregorie, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida Rockledge High School – Ausha Daniels, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College Satellite High School – Thor Kopenkoskey, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Viera High School – Luke Rodgers, Senior Air Force ROTC Scholarship to Purdue University West Shore Jr./Sr. High School – Pleasant Lewis, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida; Jacob Fine, appointment to the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School These students are entering a profession pursued by fewer than one percent of their peers nationwide. Their accomplishments demonstrate what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to service. MOAACC proudly congratulates each of these future leaders and wishes them continued success as they begin their journeys of service to our nation.
By Jim DesJardin, LTC, USA (Ret),
Chairman, MOAACC Student Affairs
Gold Bars Earned: Seven Florida Tech Cadets Commissioned as Army Officers
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.
Dav Chapter 32 members and their family are invited to gather at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (1 Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne, FL) for the next Space Coast Honor Flight Welcome Home Celebration, where we come together to honor local veterans returning from their unforgettable day in Washington D.C. , visiting the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
MOAACC member named Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Student of the Year
September 14, 2025
The INTERCOM is the MOAACC monthly news magazine published since 1974. It has won many MOAA National Newsletter Awards most recently the 2024 Col Marvin J. Harris Communication Award. Since 2005 it has been available on our website as well as the printed version. It is filled with news, information and articles of interest to…
The post The Intercom appeared first on (MOAACC) Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral Chapter, Inc.
Long before the Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) was a gleam in the eyes of its founders, many of those same founders already belonged to a Chapter of The Retired Officers Association or TROA. That chapter was established on Patrick Air Force Base in 1958. Over the years the local TROA chapter grew to over 2500 members, and was renamed two decades ago as the Military Officers Association of America (which allows not only active, retired officers, and surviving spouses to join, but former officers as well) Cape Canaveral Chapter or “MOAACC”.
