Shiloh National Military Park, located on over 5,200 acres in Hardin County, Tennessee, was established by Congress 130 years ago to commemorate the April 6 – 7, 1862 Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing. This pivotal Civil War battle would produce over 23,000 Union and Confederate casualties and be the largest engagement in the Western theater during the early stages of the war.
Our chapter will be joined by Mr. Richard White, who has spent several years researching and archiving artifacts related to this consequential battle. Mr. White, Chief Curator of the Tennessee State Museum, manages the curatorial team, directs artifact acquisition and interpretation, engages with the public, and generally assists in the management and conservation of the collection. Richard has more than nine years of experience with the Tennessee State Museum, beginning in the Education Department before advancing to the Collections Department.
Richard is a native of Nashville and attended Hillwood Comprehensive High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Belmont University and a Masters Degree in History from Middle Tennessee State University. Richard serves on the executive board of the Nashville City Cemetery Association. He is a contributing author and series editor for Civil War Flags of Tennessee, a cooperative publication from the Tennessee State Museum and the University of Tennessee Press. He is a contributing writer and editor for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly and is a 2022 graduate of the Tennessee Government Professionals Institute.
MTC President's Letter
10/11/2024
Domestically, the devastating results of hurricanes from wind and torrential downpours have affected many of our active duty, retired, and veteran comrades throughout the Southeast US. The MOAA Foundation Crisis Relief Program is available for grants to any currently serving military (including National Guard and Reserve), spouses of those currently serving, veterans, surviving spouses and military and veteran caregivers. These funds can be used for just about anything of an emergent nature, except legal fees or child support payments. If you know of someone who needs help, please point them to this program as an option. Additional information can be found on the MOAA website at the following link:https://moaacharities.smapply.us/prog/the_moaa_foundation_crisis_relief_program_/.
Internationally, the strength and presence of America’s military is being called upon in ways reminiscent of the Cold War. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are standing in harm’s way, or near to it, to help stabilize dangerous situations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. None of these conflicts or potential conflicts appear to be nearing peaceful resolution, so those serving are going to be routinely deployed to areas where their skills and courage are required for some time to come. That’s more than enough reason to continue to advocate for them and their families through MOAA’s legislative advocacy program. As I note each month, the easiest way to let your support known is through participation in MOAA’s Legislative Action Center (LAC) at https://moaa.quorum.us and, if you need any assistance, just ask any member of the MTC Board of Directors!!
If you are a Premium or Life Member of MOAA, you can access all MOAA publications/guides and download a digital copy or order a hardcopy for your personal use. Guides include Personal Finance, Military Benefits, Transition, Survivor Issues, Chapters, and Spouse and Family topics. If you are a BASIC Member, you can go online to download a copy. I have asked our own Surviving Spouse Liaison, Patricia Bergquist, to briefly discuss some of the latest changes in these offerings at our next meeting. You should know that she’s been deeply involved in making many of these publications of great assistance. We will have a dedicated luncheon next May to which you should invite your spouses!
We are making great progress in our scholarship campaign for this year, and I thank you for your continued support. If you have not donated, there’s still time! You can bring a check to our next luncheon or send one to our mailbox at MTC MOAA, PO Box 50252, Nashville, TN 37205-0252.
Finally, I greatly look forward to seeing you at the October monthly luncheon where we will hear from Mr. Richard White, Chief Curator of the Tennessee State Museum, on the “Battle of Shiloh.” We will meet at Old Natchez Country Club again this month on October 22nd at 11:30 am. Don’t forget to RSVP via the link you will be getting soon, which helps the Club staff to ensure great support. See you there!
“OSDTN Hunger Action Project”
MTC Members & Spouses met on 20 September at OSDTN to assist in packing community food bags for the middle Tennessee veterans community, in conjunction with the OSDTN Operation Commissary program.
We packed 125 bags in just under two hours, and had a very good time in the process!
In Process: MOAA Online Account Changes
9/28/2024
The modifications to the MOAA Website continue to be a work-in-process; however, you should now be able to login and validate your account. Please remember that your email address will be your new username and when you first login to the new application you may be asked to create a new password. If your first attempt at this update does not take, please try again.
A new, secure online dues payment portal will be forthcoming shortly. Beta testing scheduled to begin the first week of October.
The Legislative Action Center can be accessed by opening the website, clicking on “Advocacy” and then choosing the “Legislative Action Center” from the list on the left side of the page. Please visit the MOAA Legislative Action Center soon!
We Need Your Contact Assistance!
We use a combination of methods to reach out to our members for dissemination of information, and for our annual membership dues and scholarship solicitations. Each method relies on one important factor, we have to use current email or postal addresses. And when mail is returned or emails are undeliverable we need valid phone numbers so that we can reach out to rectify the situation.
Each member provided current information when they joined; however, we know that as circumstances change , in many instances there are changes to email addresses, postal addresses and phone numbers.
This affects the Chapter, as well as the MOAA National database; so we need your assistance in keeping our records up to date for yourself as well as for your fellow Chapter members.