On 8 August, Lt Col. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, USAF (Ret.) and CDR Ted Edwards, USN (Ret) hosted an MTC Table at the Annual Service Academy Day held by TN Seventh Congressional District Representative Matt Van Epps. The event was held at Franklin High School. The event was well attended, and Karon & Ted were involved in a great deal of conversation with students and parents. Karon was given an opportunity to make a brief presentation on our Chapter.
This event offered both Karon and Ted their second opportunity to meet with Congressman Van Epps, as they also called upon him during the MOAA AiA event in Washington earlier this year.
MTC July 2026
Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Hughes spoke to us at our July 28 luncheon meeting about law enforcement in Williamson County. He quickly proved the point that there is more that you don't see in a very public activity that is experiencing exponential growth, than you witness in your daily rounds. He was a really good speaker and his presentation generated a lot of questions!
Following his presentation Sheriff Hughes was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by Chapter President, Col Dale Kiser.
MTC June 2026
The presentation at our 23 June meeting featured our Chapter Personal Affairs Officer LTC Wanda Graham, USA (Ret) reiterating how important it is for each of our members to keep their personal records up to date and easily accessible by our family/loved ones. She highlighted the MOAA Personal Affairs Guide as an excellent resource for this task. She also referenced an Elder Care program we had in 2024 making the point of records being readily available. She also touched on the TN Yellow Dot Program that makes your health records readily available to first responders if you are involved in an accident. We had several members present endorse this program. Following her presentation she was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her work in this role and specifically for this presentation.
LTC Graham introduced Austin Peltzer with Veterans Healthcare (a MOAA affinity partner), who then spoke on the new Medicare Advantage Plan which serves veterans that have TRICARE For Life, VA benefits, CHAMPVA, or a combination of these coverages. His presentation focused on education and awareness, helping beneficiaries better understand how Medicare Advantage plans may work alongside their existing coverage and what additional benefits may be available, including dental, vision, hearing, and Part B premium givebacks, at no additional cost depending on eligibility and plan availability. The product of his presentation was new to most of our members and generated a lot of questions.
Austin can be contacted at 559-623-3439 or APeltzer@veteran.healthcare to discuss each members specific circumstances in regard to the Veterans Healthcare program.
Following the program he was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by Chapter President Col Dale Kiser.
MTC May 2026
Our meeting on 26 May featured a presentation on the Service Academy Selection Process by LCDR Tom Forsythe, USN (Ret) who is the Blue and Gold Cordinator for the Middle TN Area. A very enlightening presentation on the Academy process with lots of personal anecdotes. And a nod of the cap for MTC member CDR John Ohlinger, USN (Ret) who provided an assist when he could during the presentation.
Our next goal for John will be to gain Tom as a Chapter member.
On Saturday 23 May 2026 at 1000 Chapter members gathered at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony.
Participation was considerably lower than usual as a result of the weather. The separate wreath for each service was placed by available members, rather than by members of that particular branch of the service.
We would welcome your participation in 2027.
MTC April 2026
MAJ Gary Ward, USA (Ret) was sworn in as Chapter 2nd Vice President by Lt Col Karon Uzzell-Baggett following his election by the membership at the end of the meeting on 28 April 2026.
With Gary coming on the Board we now have a full slate of officers for the Chapter.
Following the presentation by Art Jacob, an MTC member, Col Dale Kiser, MTC President presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation and made him promise to return with his Congressional Award as soon as the official presentation ocurred.
Our April MTC Program featured a presentation by CPT Art Jacobs, USA, on his military career. Given that Art and his Medevac crew members are recipients of the DUSTOFF CREWS OF THE VIETNAM WAR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT award (approved on 26 September 2024 but not yet presented) his presentation was very meaningful.
The following is an excerpt from the documentation supporting the award of the Gold Medal:
On 24 July 1968, Warrant Officer Jacobs,, while attempting to rescue 11 wounded soldiers and retrieve 5 KIA’s from Bravo Company, 2/8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Division, had three aircraft shot out from underneath him over a four-hour period in the mountains on the Vietnam border with Laos. After two emergency landings, on his third flight, his engine failed due to damage caused by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire from less than 50 meters away.
Warrant Officer Jacobs managed to crash land his aircraft, but he and the crew found themselves immediately surrounded. Deploying his men into a defensive position and successfully fighting off the attack, Warrant Officer Jacobs, despite two bullet wounds, led his crew under fire through the jungle to a small jungle clearing where they were eventually rescued.
LTC Ray Mitchell,USA (Ret) representing the Chattanooga Chapter & the TN CoC; Lt Col. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, USAF (Ret) representing the MOAA Board of Directors & the Middle TN Chapter, and CDR Ted Edwards, USN (Ret) representing the MOAA Chaplains Virtual Chapter & the Middle TN Chapter at the MOAA Advocacy in Action Event in April 2026.
MTC March 2026
Ms. Dena Kilgore, Program Director, MOAA Affiliated Councils & Chapters presented CAPT Larry Cotton, USN (Ret.) the MOAA President’s Award for his outstanding service as President of the Middle TN Chapter MOAA for a four year time frame ending in February 2026.
The Chapter had the privilege of having Ms. Dena Kilgore, Program Director, MOAA Affiliated Councils & Chapters as our speaker for the 24 March meeting. Dena met with our Board members prior to the Chapter meeting and then presented a very insightful look at the goals and aspirations of the Affiliated Councils and Chapters team.
Dena was very familiar with what our Chapter has accomplished and provided an interesting look at how our goals and achievements mesh with those at MOAA.
MTC February 2026
Following the TNVET presentation and their election by the MTC members present at the 24 February meeting, Lt Col. Karon Uzzell-Bagget USAF (Ret), MTC Past President and current MOAA Board member swore in our new President Col. Dale Kiser, USAF (Ret) and our new 1st VP LCDR Majella Stevenson, USN (Ret)for their 2026-2027 term of office.
Following his presentation Bill Summers received a Certificate of Appreciation for his work in TNVET and for the information provided at the 24 February meeting. The Certificate was presented by CAPT Larry Cotton, MTC President.
Capt Bill Summers, USAF (a member of the MOAA Ft. Campbell Chapter) provided a very detailed look into TNVET (the Veterans legislative initiative in TN) and its activities at the state level at our meeting on 24 February.
MTC is a TNVET member by virtue of our participation in the MOAA TN Council of Chapters.
Unfortunately, the TNVET 2026 Day on the Hill in Nashville fell victim to the aforementioned ice storm and had to be cancelled.
MTC January 2026
Obviously Mother Nature did not read her email about MTC having our January meeting 27 January. The ice storm on 24 January and ensuing loss of power and WiFi forced us to cancel our scheduled meeting and prevented us from attempting to hold a ZOOM meeting. Thankfully, in the military we learned to always have a Plan B, so see you in February.
