President‘s Welcome
Welcome to WNC-MOAA and Our Website!
Welcome to the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (WNC-MOAA), an affiliate of the national MOAA. Since our founding in 1968 and incorporation as an affiliate of MOAA (then called The Retired Officers Association, TROA) in 1969, WNC-MOAA has been proud to support active-duty, retired, and former uniformed military officers, their families, and surviving spouses throughout western North Carolina.
WNC-MOAA is a nonpartisan organization committed to advocating for the well-being of the military community. As an affiliate chapter of MOAA, the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers, we remain dedicated to supporting policies and initiatives that benefit service members, veterans, and their families - without political affiliation or bias. MOAA, as an independent, nonprofit, and politically nonpartisan organization, works tirelessly to ensure the voices of those who serve are heard at all levels of government.
Why Join WNC-MOAA?
We encourage you to join our MOAA 5-Star Level of Excellence Chapter to:
• Experience camaraderie with fellow officers and military families.
• Contribute to the betterment of our beautiful Western North Carolina communities.
• Help preserve the resources required to maintain our armed forces at a high level of readiness.
• Support benefit matters for all members of the military community.
• Access expert advice and guidance tailored to your needs.
Membership in WNC-MOAA Chapter and MOAA National is open to present and former commissioned officers and warrant officers (including retirees) with honorable service in any of the United States' eight uniformed services, including the National Guard and Reserves:
• Army
• Navy
• Marine Corps
• Air Force
• Coast Guard
• Space Force
• U.S. Public Health Service
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Membership is nonpartisan and inclusive. If you are an active-duty officer, retired officer, former officer, or surviving spouse from one of these uniformed services, we invite you to join our vibrant local chapter and amplify MOAA’s powerful voice. Together, we can make a difference.
CLICK HERE TO PAY ANNUAL WNC-MOAA CHAPTER DUES
Upcoming Events – Summer 2025
As we head into the heart of summer, WNC-MOAA has a full calendar of events lined up—mixing fellowship, enrichment, and just plain fun.
Quarterly Chapter Meeting & Luncheon
- Date: Friday, August 16
- Location: Details coming soon
Mark your calendars for our next Chapter Meeting and Luncheon in August. These gatherings are always a great opportunity to reconnect, stay informed, and strengthen our chapter’s mission. More information about the venue and speaker will be announced soon.
Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans Center
- Formerly: VFW Post 5206
- Meeting Info: Forthcoming
We’re excited about our evolving partnership with the Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans Center. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming meetings and how you can get involved at this revitalized community space.
Summer Outings & Tours
We’ve also planned several unique outings designed to bring members together outside the meeting room. Be sure to reserve your spot early—these experiences tend to fill up quickly!
- French Broad Chocolate Factory Tour – A private "bean-to-bar" tasting and behind-the-scenes look at one of Asheville’s sweetest destinations.
- Birds-of-Prey Falconry Experience – A rare, hands-on opportunity to interact with raptors in flight.
- Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour & Tasting – Explore one of the nation’s most iconic breweries with a private guided tasting.
- BMW Plant Tour – Witness the precision and innovation behind BMW’s production lines in this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
Stay connected by checking our events page regularly and reading our emails. We look forward to seeing you this summer—whether it’s at a meeting, on a tour, or out in the field with a hawk on your glove!
Contact Us
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our chapter. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Steve Watkins, COL, USA (Ret)
President, WNC-MOAA