By Jim DesJardin, LTC, USA (Ret), Chairman, MOAACC Student Affairs At our May luncheon, the MOAACC’s Student Affairs Committee had the honor of hosting and recognizing fourteen outstanding young men and women who have earned appointments to our nation’s Military Academies or received Senior ROTC scholarships. Their achievements reflect exceptional academic performance, leadership ability, physical fitness, and a strong commitment to serving our nation, their schools and their communities. These students exemplify the Scholar-Athlete-Leader (SAL) model emphasized by our Military Academies and Senior ROTC programs. Collectively, they have excelled in the classroom—many maintaining GPAs of 4.0 or higher—while also demonstrating athletic excellence through varsity sports participation, team captaincies, and individual athletic accomplishments. Most importantly, they have shown the character and leadership potential required for one of the most demanding and honorable professions in our nation: military service. The luncheon was well attended by community leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Rendell, members of the School Board, parents and friends of the honorees, and many MOAACC members. Each student received an MOAACC Certificate of Excellence and an MOAACC Challenge Coin. The presentations were made by Chapter President Rosa Reich, Superintendent Dr. Rendell, and Donn Weaver, President of Good Deeds. The following students were honored: Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School – Rylan Reyes, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Eau Gallie High School – Thomas Good, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy; T’Mari Bowe, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School – Preston Ratliff, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of Miami Melbourne Central Catholic High School – Joseph Colombo, appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point Merritt Island High School – Nathan Oglesby, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Auburn University; Garrett Hall, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Haley Underwood, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College; Ryan Gregorie, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida Rockledge High School – Ausha Daniels, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College Satellite High School – Thor Kopenkoskey, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Viera High School – Luke Rodgers, Senior Air Force ROTC Scholarship to Purdue University West Shore Jr./Sr. High School – Pleasant Lewis, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida; Jacob Fine, appointment to the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School  These students are entering a profession pursued by fewer than one percent of their peers nationwide. Their accomplishments demonstrate what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to service. MOAACC proudly congratulates each of these future leaders and wishes them continued success as they begin their journeys of service to our nation.

Army Echoes is the U.S. Army's official newsletter for retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, and their families. It provides timely information on military retirement benefits, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) updates, TRICARE and Medicare changes, VA benefits, DFAS pay matters, legislative and policy changes, and other programs affecting the retired military community. Its purpose is to help retirees and survivors stay informed, maintain access to earned benefits, and remain connected to the Army family. CLICK HERE for the latest edition. Typical topics include: Retirement pay and COLA updates Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) information TRICARE and healthcare changes VA benefits and survivor programs Retiree Appreciation Days (RADs) Military community news and resources Guidance for surviving spouses and families As of 2026, Army Echoes is transitioning to primarily digital distribution, with notifications sent through the retiree's DFAS myPay email account.

Contact BVMC for any additions or other information. NOTE: Some Events Change in between our monthly mailing of the BVMC Calendar. Keep up to date with those changes using our web link: https://veteransmemorialcenter.org/upcoming-veterans-events/ or donnweaver2020@gmail.com for more information or to participate. June 12 Jun — Celebration and Lunch for our Military Women at the Avenues in Viera 1130 -1300. Contact www.avet-project.org 13 Jun — Space Coast Honor Flight #3 of 5 2026 visits by veterans to see their monuments and memorials in Wash DC. Starts at 0400 hours at Melbourne International Airport Main Terminal with Welcome home set 2030 hours same evening. Come out and honor these veterans , some from the Korean War era and their Guardians that will travel with them. Many veteran organizations and community groups support this amazing program. MOAACC Good Deeds funds FIT ROTC Cadets and Veterans in the VA sponsored FIT Psych PhD program to serve as guardians throughout the year. Contact schf.org for more information and to sign up on the waiting list for both honorees and guardians. 13 Jun — Celebrating America 250!! Red, White and Blue Ball — Tides Club PSFB 1700-2200. Formal/Semi Formal Dress- $95 per person Special Guests— George and Martha Washington!!! 20 Jun — American Space Museum in Titusville (19-21 June) - Shuttle Fest — and Hosted by the Cocoa Beach Hilton 0900-1600. Contact Dean Schaaf at BVMC for More info. 20 Jun — Memorial 5K Run honoring Christian Bellmore , MIHS Graduate who served in the USAF, Veterans Memorial Park — 0700-1100. Contact Donn Weaver for more info. JULY 4 Jul — BCSO/BVMC Independence Day Parade and America 250 Celebration. (1000 - 1300). Check BCSO web site to register in the parade in late May. Parade starts at Merritt Island High School ( 1000- with set up (0830-1000) and continues to Edgewood jr/sr High School and the BVMC Plaza where we plan food trucks and music, and the NOTU Submarine Deck Guns Saluting Battery, to celebrate 250 years of America and Veterans who created, protected and continued America as we know and love it. 04 — Titusville 250 America Parade with OASIS leading off with 50 floats available and info at usa250parade.com and 321-267-7922. Proceeds to support OASIS in their mission of sending care packages to hundreds of deployed troops five times per year. Contact Tess at Oasis for more information and how to support the Parade and Oasis. 321-243-7753. 04 Jul — Palm Bay Independence Day 250th America Festival and Fireworks at Eastern Florida State College Palm Bay with music, food trucks and fireworks. 1700- 2100 with Fireworks at 2100. 11 Jul — Veterans Appreciation Day at DAV Chapter 109 in Titusville 1500-1800 at 435 N. Singleton Ave. Food , Drinks, games, movies and camaraderie!!! 14 Jul – Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation Fun’Raiser, 4 th Annual Christmas in July, 1700-1900, Rising Tide Tap & Table, 523 Glen Cheek Dr, Port Canaveral, FL. Exclusive private raffle party, $100 raffle donation minimum, and VIP Tables available. Silent and live auctions, heavy appetizers, fun swag, cash bar and Cape Canaveral Lighthouse membership. 321-351-5052 or https://canaverallight.org/ AUGUST 9 Aug — Annual Military Order of Purple Heart Recognition Ceremony at the BVMC Museum (1400-1600) with special recognition of 10 Purple Heart Recipients. Their stories of courage and sacrifice will be told. Quilts of Valor also presented along with recognition from several officials. Contact Donn Weaver for more information. SEPTEMBER 11 Sep — 25th Annual Commemoration of the attacks on America on 9/11/2001 sponsored by Club 1013 And BVMC. (1700-1830) In the Plaza or new Park Amphitheater. Details in July. 12 Sep — Space Coast Honor Flight #4 of 5 2026 visits by veterans to see their monuments and memorials in Wash DC. Starts at 0400 hours at Melbourne International Airport Main Terminal with Welcome home set 2030 hours same evening. Come out and honor these veterans , some from the Korean War era and their Guardians that will travel with them. Many veteran organizations and community groups support this amazing program. MOAACC Good Deeds funds FIT ROTC Cadets and Veterans in the VA sponsored FIT Psych PhD program to serve as guardians throughout the year. Contact schf.org for more information and to sign up on the waiting list for both honorees and guardians. 26 Sep — JROTC Raider Challenge Meet #1 at BVMC Park and Amphitheater. (0630- 1230) 26 Sep — Special Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Dinner and Celebration sponsored by the Vietnam Exhibit Project led by Ben Bydalek. Details in late July. (1700-2000) Contact Ben for more info. thenamwar@yahoo.com OCTOBER 10 Oct — JROTC Raider Challenge Meets #2 at BVMC Park and Amphitheater. (0630-1230) 10 Oct — Medal of Honor Chili Cook- off Fundraiser BVMC Park (1100- 1500). Details in August. 17 Oct — Space Coast Honor Flight #5 of 5 2026 visits by veterans to see their monuments and memorials in Wash DC. Starts at 0400 hours at Melbourne International Airport Main Terminal with Welcome home set 2030 hours same evening. Come out and honor these veterans , some from the Korean War era and their Guardians that will travel with them. Many veteran organizations and community groups support this amazing program. MOAACC Good Deeds funds FIT ROTC Cadets and Veterans in the VA sponsored FIT Psych PhD program to serve as guardians throughout the year. Contact schf.org for more information and to sign up on the waiting list for both honorees and guardians. 31 Oct — JROTC Raider Challenge Meet #3 for District Championship at BVMC Park and Amphitheater (0630-1300) NOVEMBER 7 Nov — Annual St Francis Hospice 5K Run for Veterans at the new Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater and Plaza 0730- 1130. Includes vendors, awards, veteran pinning as SFH raises funds for their “ We Honor Veterans Program “ throughout the County all year. Details and registration in August. 7 Nov Third Annual Cape Canaveral Veterans Day Parade sponsored by VFW Post 10131. Starts and Ends near the Cape Canaveral City Hall at 1111 Hours until 1330. Includes music, vendors, food, and more. Sign ups and more information in August. 07 Nov — Second Annual VyStar MOACC Good Deeds Foundation Veterans Recognition Dinner 1700-2000 Fundraiser at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto as they recognize veteran organizations, projects and individuals who have made major contributions on the Space Coast 2025-26. Keynote Speaker is Rep Mike Haridopolos, with Clerk of Courts Rachel Sadoff as MC and Sheriff Wayne Ivey as Auctioneer. Sign up to sponsor tables or reserve seats at moaacc.org 08 Nov — Home Stretch 9th Annual 5K sponsored by National Veterans Homeless Support in the Eau Gallie Arts District with the start at 0800 hours. Sign up at https://runsignup.com/homestretch5k 11 Nov — Veteran Day Events at BVMC and many other locations in the county. Details in August. DECEMBER 5 Dec — Annual Merritt Island Grand Illumination sponsored by CAMI and BVMC 1500- 2000 at BVMC Plaza. More details in August. 19 Dec. — Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and other Brevard locations. CCNC 0800 - 1030 for family and friends, 1030 - 1100 to lay wreaths and 1100-1130 for the Ceremony at the Flag Assembly Area. Details in August. 2027 January 16 Jan — Annual Key Lime Pie Festival 1000- 2000 Veterans Memorial Amphitheater and Park. Details in August. Paid Event put on by the Originals Key Lime Pie Company of Cocoa Beach — sixth year at VMP. Tickets required at the gate Please help us spread the word and advise of any new events.