Ventura Chapter

Our mission is to support CAL-MOAA and MOAA in their legislative efforts to maintain and protect our military benefits and to support our local military personnel in Ventura County.

Regular membership is open all active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, former commissioned officers, and warrant officers of the uniformed services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Honorary memberships are granted to spouses of deceased Chapter members and certain others as approved by the Board of Directors. Membership dues are $25 per year payable on an annual basis in December. To join the Chapter, contact the Membership Chair via telephone or email. For membership in MOAA please check their web site at moaa.org.

VCCMOAA is very involved in supporting our troops. We provide donations to Wounded Warrior programs, STEP and sponsor programs with MWR such as Fleet Deployment Kits and the Single Sailor Program. We also provide a donation and MOAA medals to selected ROTC Cadets and we support youth leadership programs. We present wreaths dedicated to our military at local cemeteries on military related holidays. 

VCCMOAA supports the legislative efforts of both CAL-MOAA and MOAA. The current bills that the Chapter is supporting in both the House and Senate can be located on the cal-moaa.org and moaa.org websites. The Chapter Board of Directors meets regularly with the local office managers of both our local Representatives. The Chapter members participate in mail or email campaigns to our Representatives and Senators in Washington, DC.

VCCMOAA has 107 members: 70 regular members, 37 surviving spouse members. The Chapter meets on the first Thursday of each month for a noon luncheon (Social Hour 11:30, Lunch 12:00, Program 13:00) at the Bard Mansion on Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme. (Cost is $20.00. Directions to the Bard Mansion: enter the 23rd Street Gate (also known as the Knott Gate) from Ventura Avenue, the  gate guard can give you directions to the Bard Mansion. You will need a military ID to enter NBVC. Without a base pass you need to notify Dave Pendleton (805-482-0269) or a Chapter officer of your intent to come to a meeting 1 week in advance. If you do not have a military ID, you need a picture ID and stop at the Pass and ID office near the Gate. If you are going to be regular attendees we will add your name to the access list then notification will not be required.

On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, organizers — including Gonzales — invited decorated retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Barry Harper to serve as one of the guest speakers.