Dan Semsel and Steve Goeman present the 2018 Winkler/Martin Award to Chris Stanley (Center), Executive Director of the Fisher House. CONGRATULATIONS Chris!!!
Cassie Barlow and Holley Beard present our annual contribution to Fisher Nightingale House Executive Director Chris Stanley.
Our 2019 Board of Officers: President: Paul Newman; President-elect: Colonel (retired) Dan Semsel; Vice President : Toni Overholser; Secretary: Colonel (retired) Linda Stokes-Crowe; Treasurer: Colonel (retired) Stephen Goeman
The Miami Valley Military Affairs Association (MVMAA) was formed in 1980 through the combined efforts of several local Chambers of Commerce. Recognizing the tremendous economic impact Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Springfield Air National Guard Base, and other area military units have on the Greater Dayton/Miami Valley area, local community leaders wanted to provide a support organization that would foster military-community understanding and cooperation.
With membership in excess of 530, the MVMAA is one of the nation's largest community military affairs organizations. A Board of Trustees governs the Association with representatives currently from 15 local Chambers of Commerce, seven members-at-large, and past presidents. Commanders of the active-duty, Reserve and Guard units stationed on the two major military installations serve as Department of Defense (DOD) liaisons to the Board of Trustees. The participating Chambers come from a five-county area. Chamber membership is not required to join the MVMAA. The only requirements for membership are an interest in military support issues and a desire to become involved in regional cooperation.
The MVMAA has long supported the Fisher/Nightingale Houses, which provide lodging in a homelike atmosphere for the families of the seriously ill patients at the Wright-Patterson AFB Medical Center. Since 1990, the Association has donated over $70,000 to the houses.
Other special projects accomplished include:
The MVMAA also completed a significant five-year project, dedicating "Valor Park" alongside the walkway leading to the front entrance of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The memorial recognizes the 58 U.S. Air Force recipients of the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military award for bravery. The MVMAA raised funds to construct the memorial through private donations, with the Association absorbing all administrative expenses. All six living recipients attended the dedication ceremony on May 11, 2002, in conjunction with the Association's annual dinner
Dedicating a monument in honor of our POW/MIAs at Arnold House and placing a wreath there each year on POW/MIA Day
Co-sponsoring with Wright-Patterson AFB a reception to honor Freedom Flight America pilots and crew members during their cross-country flight of vintage aircraft commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II
Donating $2,500 to the National Museum of the United States Air Force expansion project; $2,000 toward restoration of Arnold House (Wright Patterson AFB's heritage center); and $1,000 toward construction of a hangar on Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright Brothers' first flying school was located
Contributing money to Dayton's Vietnam Memorial Park and the Fairborn Veterans Memorial.
