By Dell Jackson, F201821
June 2017
The Military Veterans chapter is alive and growing. This year, many new members joined our group at the Southeast Area Rally in February and during FMCA’s 95th International Convention in March. We now have approximately 300 families, and we have plenty of room for more.
Our chapter was formed in 2010 and is an international chapter. Besides being an FMCA member, members must be either active duty or honorably discharged from the United States, Canadian armed forces, or National Guard.
We are asking all veterans to join us. We have social activities and also help fellow veterans who are less fortunate than we are.
We hold our chapter business meetings at FMCA conventions. If you’re a veteran and want to check out our chapter, come visit us in Indianapolis, Indiana, during FMCA’s 96th International Convention, July 12 through 15.
During morning Coffee Hour on one day of the convention, while the Frustrated Maestros are playing anthems, we present flags representing branches of the military. At area rallies, we participate in chapter fairs and socials.
We often have socials and joint rallies with members of FMCA’s Elk International chapter (Elks support veterans) and members of the Full Timers chapter. Our regular summer rally will take place after the Indianapolis convention.
As our chapter grows, we plan to form even more groups based on where members live. That way, they can gather at their own rallies and decide what local veterans organization to support and how they will do that. A group in Florida is 72 members strong and assisted in giving homeless veterans permanent housing through Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc. in Cape Coral. A group of chapter members in Colorado is also active in procuring assistance for vets with various needs.
The Military Veterans chapter donated $1,000 in 2015 to a fund that helps veterans and their families, the Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org).
We keep in touch by using RVillage (www.RVillage.com) and our own blog (www.mvcfmca.blogspot.com), where you can see pictures and learn about our outings. Our blog also has a membership application. Annual dues are $10.
For more information, contact me at dell1942j@gmail.com or by phone at (209) 471-3905. See you in Indianapolis!
For general information about FMCA chapters, contact the Chapter Services Department at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622; chapters@fmca.com.
If you would like your chapter to be featured in Chapter Spotlight, contact FMC associate editor Peggy Jordan, (800) 543-3622, ext. 212; pjordan@fmca.com.