We have invited Folds of Honor New Mexico, a 501c-3 organization that provides scholarship support to children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans and first responders. COL (R) James Quick, USAF, will provide an overview of the organization and families served in New Mexico and across the U.S.

Our second presenter will be Shirley Johnson, Secretary and Board of Directors member, will provide an overview of the Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico’s (HFNNM) program for 2023 and going forward to 2024. HFNNM’s top priority is given to World War II and Korean War Veterans and Veterans of other conflicts who may be terminally ill. Veterans are chosen for each trip on a first come first served basis.

The HFNNM trip to our nation’s capital is free of charge to the veteran and includes airfare, lodging, meals and all transportation within the Washington, D.C., area. The HFNNM trip to Washington, DC takes 25 veterans every June to see the memorials built to honor their service. 

Vietnam Veterans now are emerging on the selection list for the trips. Albuquerque Chapter MOAA Vietnam Veteran era members who would like to get in the queue for an HFNNM trip to our nation’s capital, do not put off applying. HFNNM travel applications are available at their website: Applications – Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico (honorflightnorthernnm.org) . You will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 with the application and a release of medical records if there is a medical condition or disability for HFNNM to consider.  If you need assistance in completing the HFNNM travel application, contact Michael Houck, 2d Vice President, MOAA 2ndvice@albumoaa.org . 
        
Additionally, we have invited other central NM veteran 501c-3 organizations on our Charitable Giving list to attend and continue to communicate with Chapter members regarding their continuing support and services to active duty, NM National Guard, retirees, spouses, and families. We also invited the Veteran’s Business Support Coalition and Veteran’s Small Business Association members, and nonmilitary organizations: Damsel in Defense (a woman focused agency who teaches safety and defense for women) and Bath Fitter (can assist military to get VA benefits for bath and shower modifications to fit disability needs) to discuss with interested members on services they provide to the veteran community.  

P.S:  Because another organization will follow us in use of the Visitor Center Conference Room at 1400 hours we do assistance to set-up and clean-up the meeting room at the NM Veterans Memorial Park Visitor Center. We need a cadre of varying able body veterans to arrive at 10:30 hours to organize and construct the dining and social hall for the buffet by 1140 hours; stock the buffet serving tables by 1150; and then clean, wipe, collect debris, and restore the room as if no one was ever there by 1400 hours. Please contact Michael Houck, 2d Vice President, MOAA 2ndvice@albumoaa.org if you can assist or once on-site fill-in for the absent kitchen and dining room Genie, gnomes, elves, satyrs, and dryads.