Schedule of events

January Happy Hour

February Happy Hour

January Happy Hour

24 JAN 23 - 1630 Happy Hour at the Gateway Lounge. It is a social gathering with casual conversation while taking full advantage of the free popcorn at the Gateway Lounge. We meet at 1630 until around 1800 and the Gateway Lounge is located at 3408 S. Gateway BLVD, SF, SD 57106.

February Meeting

February Happy Hour

January Happy Hour

14 FEB 23 - The meeting is at the Military Heritage Alliance at 11:30. We will meet, order lunch, formal admin activities at noon guest speaker is from the Veterans Community Project to give us an update on the progress.

February Happy Hour

28 FEB 23 - 1630 Happy Hour at the Gateway Lounge. It is a social gathering with casual conversation while taking full advantage of the free popcorn at the Gateway Lounge. We meet at 1630 until around 1800 and the Gateway Lounge is located at 3408 S. Gateway BLVD, SF, SD 57106.

About Us

MOAA Great Plains Chapter

The MOAA, Great Plains Chapter is comprised of former and Active Duty Veteran Officers from all the services. Eligibility is open to all former and currently serving officers. We are part of the National MOAA organization which has a significant role in helping to keep benefits in place for Service Members and Veterans. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month for our regular meeting with stimulating and dynamic speakers and every 4th Tuesday for a 1630 Happy Hour.

MOAA, Great Plains Chapter Mission

Our mission has changed a bit over the years. We are mostly a social organization. We meet twice a month, once formally and once informally. We try to live by MOAAs catch phrase, "NEVER STOP SERVING". We are active in gifting scholarships to ROTC Cadets at SDSU and USD and with providing initial sets of Gold Bars for commissioning ceremonies. We are also active members of the Sioux Falls Veterans Counsel.

Great plains chapter OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

CURRENT OFFICERS

PRESIDENT - SCOTT W. REDD, LTC, U.S. ARMY (RET) - (605) 212-0712

1ST VP PROGRAMS - DENISE ROTERT, U.S. ARMY (RET) - (605) 321-3764

1ST VP PROGRAMS (ASSISTANT) - DOUG HANIFY, U.S. ARMY (RET) (563) 370-6390

2ND VP MEMBERSHIP - DAVE NORDLAND, U.S. MARINES (RET) (605) 366-0797

SEC/TREAS - ROBERT BLACK , U.S. AIR FORCE (RET) (605) 759-8671

LEGISLATIVE LEASION - JAY MANNING, U.S. ARMY (RET) (605)

Board Member at Large - Randy Kirkvold - (605) 789-0389

Learn More

If you are an Active Duty Officer, National Guard or Reserve Officer or a Veteran who served as an officer in any of the services, we welcome you to our MOAA Chapter. Please contact Bob Black at (605) 759-8671 or blackroberte@sio.midco.net to discuss membership options. "Never Stop Serving"

Meeting Minutes

***We haven't had a meetin since November.

Minutes of Meeting, 8 November 2022

The monthly meeting was called to order at 1200 hours at the Military Heritage Alliance Center, Sioux Falls, SD by Doug Haniffy with 10 members and guests present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer by Doug.Financial Statement:

As of 31 October, we had $3361.27 in our checking account with the no expenses or deposits for the month. We have $10,642.64 in our CDs giving us a total of $14,003.91.

Several announcements were made including the following:

· The Veterans Day ceremony at The Alliance at The Alliance on 11 November needs a flag bearer to stand with the MOAA flag during the ceremony. That person should report to the Armory (behind The Alliance) at about 0930 on the 11th.

· The Veterans Day ceremony at The Alliance will start at 1000 hrs.

· The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will host an unveiling and dedication of the “Guardians,” bronze statues of eagles to be placed on the gateposts to the SD Veterans Cemetery. The ceremony will be held at the SD State Cemetery on November 11 (Veterans Day) at 1 pm. Please plan to attend this special event.

· Veterans Day at the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey game will be at 1900 hrs at the Sanford Arena. Veterans get in free. Sioux Falls plays Sioux City.

· Dues are due. Please send them (plus a contribution for the ROTC scholarships) to GPC-MOAA at the address above. Dues are $20.

· We have about 23 signed up for the Christmas/Holiday Party on December 13th. The party starts at 5:30 at The Alliance. If you haven’t signed up, please send me an email right away.

· The Chapter received a numbered, signed lithograph of an eagle similar to the Guardians at the SD State Cemetery. It is in appreciation for the significant contribution the Chapter made.

Doug introduced our guest speaker, Dan Letellier - Executive Director for the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. He gave an interesting presentation on the history, current status and future plans for the Regional Airport.

Upcoming events include the following:

· November 11, Veterans Day at The Alliance at 1000 hrs

· November 11, Guardians” dedication at the SD Veterans Cemetery at 1300 hrs

· November 22, Beer call at the Gateway, 1630 hrs

· December 13, Chapter Christmas/Holiday party at the Alliance starting at 1730 hrs

· December 20, Beer call at the Gateway, 1630 hrs

Added note: Paul Weckman sent us a notice about a free pharmacogenomics (PGx) test for Military and Veterans. It is the study of how heredity influences your response to medications. Please call 888-424-2332 to check on eligibility and answers to questions.

Submitted by Robert Black

Secretary/Treasurer - Great Plains Chapter – MOAA