In addition to the monthly membership luncheon meetings that generally feature an interesting speaker, the chapter is actively involved in a number of local activities.

 

 

Tribute and Recognition of WWII Veterans, October 30, 2014

 

MOAA provided support to the MOWW in a very special tribute to some of our local WWII veterans.  The luncheon was held at the San Luis Obispo Country Club, over 100 veterans attended and were sponsored by MOAA and MOWW members, and each veteran was individually recognized and presented with a award package consisting of:

 

     Montage with their photo from service days, Service, dates of service, theatres supported, and medals received.

     Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly (courtesy of Katcho)

     Certificate of Recognition from the San Luis Obispo County (courtesy of Adam Hill and Debbie Arnold)

     Hard copy of the book "Killing Patton" by Bill O'Reilly

 

Each of the montages was personally prepared by MOWW Commander Lt. Joe Brocato.

 

Over 230 people were in attendance at the Country Club MOWW Commander Lt. Joe Brocato showing the award package presented to each Veteran, the Grizzly Academy youth delivered the package to each veteran
SLO County Supervisor Debbie Arnold giving a well deserved "thank you" to Lt. Brocato, CDR Bill Houston, and President LTC Louis Stout CDR Houston with a closing homily with Lt. Brocato and LTC Stout

 

 

 

 

Armed Forces Day Recognition of Chuck Ward

 

Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian honored First LT Chuck Ward (San Luis Obispo County) and Staff Sgt Robert Hatch (Santa Barbara County) as Veterans of the Year at the 35th Assembly District's 2016 Sixth Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration on May 21, 2016 at the Maldonado Center in Santa Maria. 


Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957 where he entered the Platoon Leaders Corps.  Chuck is currently Commander of the MOWW, prior President of the MOAA, active in the MCL Detachment 680, has served on the Atascadero City Planning Commission and has been instrumental in making happen a number of community projects.

 

Scroll down for a more comprehensive description of Chuck's background.


Chuck’s partial response was: "It's an honor to accept this, because I represent all of you. Thank you so much."

 

Katcho stated "We honor all those who fought to protect the lives we cherish. Today and every day, we should celebrate the men and women who fight for our freedom. You truly made our country the land of the free and the home of the brave. I want to extend the sincerest of appreciation to our 2016 Veterans of the Year for their services and duty to their country, and each and every single one of you here for making today such a memorable day. On behalf of our nation, thank you for protecting our freedom." 

 

Chuck's Bio:

First Lieutenant Chuck Ward enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957 where he entered the Platoon Leaders Corps. He was formally commissioned in 1958, and attended Marine Corps Officers Basic School at Quantico. In 1959 he was deployed to Okinawa and served two back to back tours there, and commanded a 300 man Engineering Company. During his final tour of Okinawa he attended Air Observer School where he earned his wings. Ward possessed a degree in chemical engineering and because of this went to nuclear ordinance school, where he received top secret clearance. Ward has received many awards and commendations for his service in the Marine Corps including: National Defense Service Medal, Riffle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, and Naval Aviation Observer. Most recently Ward spearheaded the Charles Paddock Zoo Statue project, which includes a memorial to Michael Paddock, who was killed in Vietnam and awarded two bronze stars for valor. Additionally, Ward has served as Commander of the Military Officers Association of America, and is currently serving as Commander of the Military Order of World Wars, as well as the Judge Advocate of Marine Corps League Detachment 680. He is also a founding board member that was instrumental in getting the Faces of Freedom Memorial built, as well as co-chair of the Purple Heart Trail project and Your American Heritage monument. Besides his commitment to veteran’s issues and their worthwhile causes, he is a proven community leader. He has served on the Atascadero City Planning Commission, actively participated in the Grizzly Academy Youth Leadership program and been involved in the Patriotic Essay Contest for high school students.

 

 

 

 

ROTC Recognition: May 29, 2014

 

The MOAA and the MOWW in a ceremony at the University of Cal Poly presented respective awards to select cadets for having demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership as a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps.

 

Left to Right: COL Jack Jones, Local Officer, CDR Bill Houston, CPT Dick Hathcock, LTJG Joe Brocato, LTC Lou Stout, COL John Mirolla representing both the MOAA and the MOWW
LTC Stout and COL Mirolla presenting the MOAA ROTC Medal to Cadet Taylor Steele. Cadet Steele had received the Gold Award of $1,000 at the May 9, 2014 Chapter Luncheon.

LTC Stout and COL Mirolla presenting the MOAA ROTC Medal to Cal Poly Cadet Brayton Kline.  Cadet Kline previously received the Silver Award of $500.

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day, May 26, 2014

 

Lt Chuck Ward gave the main address at the Faces of Freedom Memorial in Atascadero.  Chuck gave one of the best Memorial Day talks we have heard in a long time and the crowd showed its' appreciation by giving Chuck a standing ovation.  Chuck's talk is an easy read, CLICK HERE for a PDF version.

 

Chuck Presenting:

 

                                               The audience

 

 

 

 



Member CDR Don Morris USN Presentation in December, 2012:

 

At a recent meeting of the California Central Coast chapter of the International Footprint Association, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson, left, and Pismo Beach police Chief Jeff Norton, right, congratulate speaker Don Morris.

 

Don spoke about the competitive nature of basketball's older men. (From 50 to 82). His semi-pro basketball teams competed in AAU Championships and against inmates at California Men's Colony and patients at Atascadero State Hospital.

 

In the Senior Olympics basketball competitions, Don has won world, international, national and state championships. (He has a killer free throw!)

 

 

 

 

Lost at Sea Ceremony, Memorial Day in Cayucos, California:

 

 

 

CMDR Bill Houston was one of the individuals that started this annual ceremony at the Cayucos pier back in 2001.  It honors all of the sailors, merchant marines, soldiers, and fishermen that lost their lives at sea.  The ceremony begins at the foot of the pier, the group then walks out to the end of the pier with the waiting Honor Guard to toss a Wreath into the sea in honor of those Lost.

 

 

 

 

 
CMDR Bill Houston addressing the crowd   Close up of CMDR Houston
     
 
Crowd at the end of the pier   Missing man formation fly-by
     
 
The lone fly over   The Wreath

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran's Recognition Luncheon (May 18, 2012):

 

California State Senator Blakeslee's final luncheon was to honor the 34 “ Fallen Soldiers” of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts from our area as our Veteran of the Year. A personalized memorial resolution honoring each fallen soldier from these two conflicts was presented to their respective families (in attendance). In continuing with his tradition, the Senator also honored our local veterans that have been recognized by each of the local participating veteran organizations. Nominees were presented with a Senate Resolution by the Senator.

 

 
The start of the ceremony   Commander William Houston giving the Invocation
     
 
Commander Houston receiving his Recognition Award   1Lt Chuck Ward receiving his Recognition Award

 

   
  A Fallen Soldier Family Member receiving a
Memorial Resolution		  

 

 

 

 

From the 2011 event:

 

 
The Dais for last year's Recognition Luncheon
  
Senator Sam presenting a recognition award to CDR Bill Hopper

 

 

 

Christmas Gala at the Madonna Inn, December, 2011:

 

   
        BG John Gong & wife Betty