MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter

​***Next Event***
General Membership Gathering, 19 November 2026, 1730hrs
Location: TBD
Guest Speaker: TBD


The MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter was honored to have Ensign Nathan Smith, Surface Weapons Officer, speak at its General Membership Meeting on 24 September 2026. A recent graduate from the Navy's Officer Candidate School (OCS), Ensign Smith is currently preparing for his first operational assignment aboard the USS Donald Cook early next year. Ensign Smith shared with the attendees why he joined the Navy, his OCS experience, his role as a Naval Surface Weapons Officer aboard a Destroyer Class ship, and the mission and capabilities of the USS Donald Cook as part of the George W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.
On 18 September 2026, the MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter leadership presented a $1,500 check to the Feeding America Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Food Bank executive leadership team located in Rogers, AR. The amount donated will go towards providing nutritious meals to 3,000 families including veterans facing food insecurity in NWA.
On 3 August 2026, six Chapter Members volunteered at the Feeding America Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Food Bank in Rogers, Arkansas.  They along with other volunteers from the community bagged 1,895 pounds of tangerines, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and potatoes which were distributed to veterans and families with food insecurity in NWA the following day.
The MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter was honored to have Denise Sharpe, Director of Growth and Development for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, at its 30 July 2026 General Membership Meeting. A U.S. Air Force Veteran having served multiple tours during the Gulf War, Denise summarized Sheep Dog’s completed (5) and upcoming (4 plus) Outdoor Adventures and Warrior PATHH classes (will exceed annual goal of serving 166 warriors); a recent disaster response to aid an Air Force veteran and his spouse; Sheep Dog University’s completion of 7 classes to date; the improvements made at its Heroes Ranch; and the upcoming activities and volunteer opportunities through May 2027.   ​
The MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter was honored to have not one but two Guest Speakers at its 29 May 2026 General Membership Meeting. Retired Navy Commander Mike Davis (left photo) spoke on the Red Cross' International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to include who and what is protected under IHL. Retired Army Capt Richard Hartness (middle and right photos), President of the Arkansas Council of Chapters, addressed three primary areas with the attendees — the Chapter’s community service, membership growth and retention, and the upcoming Arkansas MOAA Conference, 25 July 2026, at the Camp Robinson APEX Complex. He also pitched the USS Arkansas (Number 5): A Proud Pre-2026 Heritage Fundraiser.
On 2 May 2026, five MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter members volunteered at the Feeding America NWA Rogers Food Bank in Lowell, AR. They along with another group of volunteers made produce bags to be filled the following week with fruit and vegetables for distribution to food pantries across the four-county region serving NWA families and individuals with food insecurity.
The MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter was honored to have Retired Navy CAPT David Neal as its Guest Speaker at the 26 March 2026 General Membership Meeting. As the Senior Instructor for the Bentonville High School Navy JROTC Program, CAPT Neal provides citizenship, leadership and physical training for over 100 cadets. The Bentonville NJROTC Program is the only JROTC Program in NWA. Thirty-Two (32) cadets are looking forward to competing in the National H.S. Drill Competition in Daytona Beach, FL in April 2026. Left picture: CAPT Neal. Right picture: Retired Army Col Craig Barkley, Chapter Vice President and CAPT Neal.
On 7 February 2026, seven MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter members and one guest volunteered at the Feeding America NWA Food Bank in Lowell, AR.  They along with other volunteers from the surrounding community made meal boxes and filled them with a variety of dry and canned goods.  Volunteers were also asked to bring in cans of soup and wear sports gear for the Food Bank's "Souper Saturday" celebration.  At the end of the day, the MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter helped to provide 10,800 meals for veterans and families with food insecurity across the four-county NWA region.
On 19 November 2025, Steve Sexton (back row left), Alan and Rita Nabb (back row middle and front row right), presented the U.S. and Arkansas Flag Education Program to 18 fifth-grade students at Pineville Elementary School.  The presentation and dialog with the students is two parts:  the early history of the American flag and U.S. Flag Code, including details about how the American flag should be displayed and what you can and cannot do with or to the flag.  A great class of kids! 
Jeff Thacker (photo left), Development and Community Engagement Director, for the Feeding America NWA Food Bank in Lowell, AR was the guest speaker at the Chapter's November 2025 general membership gathering held at the Table at the Hickory Inn.  The Food Bank's 85,000 sq ft warehouse enables the storage and distribution of purchased and donated food to 110+ Agency Partners across four neighboring NWA counties.  In 2023 alone the Food Bank distributed over 14 million pounds of food and provided over 11.7 million meals to families including veterans with food insecurity.  Chapter President, Andy Seal (photo right), thanks Jeff for his attendance and excellent presentation.
On 15 November 2025, seven MOAA Ozark Regional Chapter members volunteered at the Feeding America NWA Food Bank in Lowell, AR.  They along with other volunteers from the surrounding community bagged apples, oranges and sweet potatoes for 110+ Agency Partners including food pantries, shelters, and meal programs across the four-county region.  At the end of the day, 3,200 lbs of food was bagged equating to over 4,000 nutritious meals for veterans and families with food insecurity.
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Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Ozark Regional Chapter

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