PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR THE 2025 HOLIDAY SEASON

Greetings and happy holidays to all! Your Chapter leadership is looking forward to a jam-packed 2026 but first we need to close out 2025 with a few items of interest to report. We enjoyed our annual Durham Bulls outing with the largest attendance we have had for this event…and those who stayed to the bitter end enjoyed a furious and successful rally by the home team! Earlier this month, we hosted a joint meeting of the Chapter with the officers of the NC Council of Chapters and the leadership of MOAA chapters from across the State. We were honored to have General and Mrs. Brian T. Kelly and CAPT Frank Michaels from National MOAA, COL Pete Warner, President of the Tennessee Council of Chapters and CDR Linc Smith, President of the Public Affairs virtual chapter. Those unable to attend can view the meeting proceedings on our website trianglemoaa.com, at the “News and Events” tab. I particularly encourage you to listen to General Kelly’s remarks.

Our own COL Jeri Graham was to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at our dinner but was unable to join us. CAPT Michaels presented the award to Jeri at her home. We wish her well.

I am also pleased to report that your Chapter again received Levels of Excellence and Harris Communications awards at the five-star (highest) level. I hasten to add that for 2026, an additional excellence criterion has been added to document the proportion of Chapter members who have registered with the MOAA Legislative Action Center. I strongly encourage all members to do so. It is an excellent and efficient way to follow the progress of legislation of interest through Congress and provides an opportunity to make your opinion known to your elected Senators and House members.

We have one more Chapter activity on our calendar for this year. On Saturday, December 13th, we are participating in “Wreaths Across America”. Please find additional information at “Location And Group Search-Wreaths Across America”. There are four local sites, in Fuquay Varina, Wake Chapel, Greenlawn Cemetery and Bazzel Creel. Faith Junghahn is coordinating this activity.

And please remember that 2026 dues can now be paid easily through Cheddar. Please consider upgrading to a Chapter Life Membership. You can find the details on our website. No end of year message is complete without a hearty thank you to our Chapter Officers and Board Members, Bob Penny, Chris Froeschner, Henry Scheller, Matt Segal, Faith Junghahn and Robin Viviano. While we all enjoy serving, none of us wants to hold our positions in perpetuity. Won’t you consider joining us? A personal note will do! Thanks! May you and your family have a happy and healthy new year.

Herb Segal, MD, COL USA

Chapter President