LTC Tom Coonelly, US Army, Retired, recently was elected president of the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

The MOAA is a nonprofit veterans association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring the nation keeps its commitments to currently serving, retired and former members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors.

Membership in MOAA is open to those who hold or have ever held a warrant or commission in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service or National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. and their surviving spouses.

Locally, MOAA is represented by the Olympic Peninsula Chapter which has about 100 officers and surviving spouses on its membership rolls.

Local chapters such as the Olympic Peninsula Chapter provide members the opportunity to stay in touch with the national organizations’ activities on their behalf and to enjoy the company of fellow veterans.

Through donations and program involvement, local chapters support veterans activities locally as well as ROTC and JROTC programs of the Armed Services such as the Navy JROTC program at Port Angeles High School.

Persons interested in becoming a member or learning more about MOAA should contact Coonelly at coonelly@olypen.com.