About Coachella Valley Chapter of MOAA
The mission of CVC-MOAA is to support directly and through our military community. This includes active, retired, former commissioned and warrant officers of all seven uniformed services including the National Guard and Reserve components and their surviving spouses; support the membership in any way possible to preserve and enhance their rights benefits and entitlements, and quality of life.
Latest News
CVC-MOAA June 2026 Monthly Update
Date Published: 06/06/2026
HONORING ALL THOSE THAT SERVED AND PARISHED DURING D-DAY
“The American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and all of us, living and yet to be born, must be profoundly grateful.” Historian Stephen Ambrose from his definitive book, D-Day: June 6, 1944
MOAA Western Conference: CMDR Matt Stone, MAJ Terrie Heer, Lt General Brian Kelly, MOAA President, CAPT John Doyle and LTC Jim LaBaugh
The Normandy landings were operations associated airborne and naval operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied Invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during WWII. Code name Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations for the Allied victory on the Western Front.
D-Day Strength: 156,000 soldiers; 195,700 naval personnel; 50,350+170 coastal artillery guns.
Casualties and losses: 10,000+ casualties; 4,414 confirmed killed; 4,000-9,000 killed, wounded, missing or captured.
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Today is June 6, 2026, 82 years after D-Day. Recommended movie to see is “Pressure” now playing at Regal Rancho Mirage, Mary Pickford, Cinemark Century LaQuinta and Festival Theater in Palm Springs. The movie reflects the daring forecasts for the Allies’ ability to pinpoint a brief break in the severe storms over the English Channel.
President-elect John F. Kennedy asked Dwight D. Eisenhower what was the secret to the success of D-Day invasion was, Eisenhower replied “We had better meteorologists than the Germans.”
SUMMER MEETINGS
The Coachella Valley Chapter of MOAA goes dark June through September. Chapter members who remain in the desert during the summer months can still enjoy the camaraderie of each other at Burgers and Beers located near LaQuinta Costco in their small meeting area. Members order off the menu, receive a Veteran’s discount and a place to meet. These are scheduled on the third Thursday of each month:
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11:30 am
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:30 am
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 11:30 am
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 11:30 am
OCTOBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - OCTOBER 15, 2026
The first meeting of the new year will be Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The museum will be be giving a no-host lunch with guest speaker of Palm Springs Air Museum Director, Fred Bell. Also, CalMOAA President, CPT Ramona Chavez, will be in attendance to swear in the 2026-28 Board of Directors to include:
President: MAJ Terrie Heer
1VP: LTC Jim LaBaugh
2nd VP: LTC Alan Tibbetts
3rd VP: CMDR Matt Stone
Director at Large: COL Duke Frey
Director at Large: COL Mike Dulac
Director at Large: CAPT John Doyle
Director at Large: CW02 Bryan Equez
Director at Large: CPT Jim McIntosh
After the meeting, two of our Chapter members, LTC Alan Tibbetts and MAJ Peter Fleury (both docents at the Museum) will give us a tour. More information to come in the coming months.
MARCH AIR FORCE RESERVE BASE AND MARCH FIELD MUSEUM TOUR - OCTOBER 26, 2026
The March Air Force Reserve Base and the March Field Museum has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026. The cost is $95 a person to include transportation to and from the Sams Club in Palm Desert, tour of the base, lunch and admission to the Museum. For those members who would like to just meet the bus at March AFR Base, the cost is $50 a person. A flyer with a sign-up sheet will be sent this month to members.
VETERANS DAY SILENT AUCTION - NOVEMBER 11, 2026
This year’s Veterans Day Silent Auction and Dance is scheduled for November 11, 2026 at Trilogy HOA at 5:00 p.m. The Co-Chairs are COL Kathleen O-Regan and MAJ Terrie Heer. The first committee meeting is Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.at the Agave Room at Trilogy HOA. This year, we will be having an oral auction for items over $200 along with a silent auction. We are also partnering with two other organizations. First is Trilogy HOA and the other is the Coachella Valley VFW on their Christmas Sock Drive. More information will be coming out about this event. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Last year, we raised $6,100. This year, our goal will be $10,000! If you are interested in volunteering on the committee or want to submit something for auction, please either contact MAJ Terrie Heer at 503-347-7614 or COL Kathleen O’Regan at 310-920-9406.
OTHER PROPOSED FUNDRAISERS AND IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2026-27
October 15, 2026 - General Membership Meeting - PS Museum
October 2026 - Assist in the VFW Sock Drive for Veterans Home
October 22, 2026 - March Air Force Reserve Base/Museum Tour
November 11, 2026 - Veterans Day Silent Auction
November 12, 2026 - General Membership Mtg, Oasis CC, Speaker: Todd Anton
December 10, 2026 - Holiday General Membership Mtg. Oasis CC
December 2026 - Hockey Game Fundraiser - Date TBA
January 14, 2027 - General Membership Meeting, Oasis CC
January 2027 - MARVYN’S Magic Theater Fundraiser - Date TBA
February 11, 2027 - General Membership Meeting and Membership Drive, Oasis CC
February 2027 - Putt Putt Golf Fundraiser - Date TBA
March 11, 2027 - General Membership Meeting
March 2027 - Coachella Valley Lakers Basketball Game - Date TBA
April 8, 2027 - General Membership and Annual Meeting
April 2027 - Angels Baseball Game Fundraiser- Bus Trip - Date TBA
May 12, 2027 - Leadership and Scholarship Dinner
This is a very ambitious calendar for our Chapter. But these meetings and fundraisers will build camaraderie and membership within our organization. The fundraisers will allow us to maintain our $3,000 scholarship levels, allow parents to participate in the Leadership and Scholarship dinner and give our Chapter the latitude to take on more philanthropy projects to help our Veteran communities.
2026 PRESIDENT’S AWARD WINNER:
COL MIKE DULAC, USAR, (Ret.)
COL Mike Dulac, U.S. Army Infantry officer was commissioned in 1963. Upon graduation from college he spent two years stationed at Ft. Benning, GA. He was assigned to test the new Army Air Assault concept. He was attached with the 82nd Airborne on war games and maneuvers against the 11th Air Assault (Test) Division. His units provided supporting opposing forces in tactical infantry training for the Rangers and Basic Officers Courses.
Upon release from active duty, he returned to NYC to resume his business career. At that time, Mike joined the Reserves where he then served another 28 years, attaining the rank of Colonel.
He had assignments in both Command and Staff at every level in the Army to include platoon leader, company commander, battalion S-3, XO and commander, brigade XO, division Asst. G-3 and G1, Individual Mobilization Augmentee at I Corps and finally at the Pentagon, Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans where he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Training Operations Division.
COL Dulac completed his Airborne qualification, Army career course, DA-Inspector General Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the War College.
His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (OLC) and the Meritorious Service Medal (OLC) and the Parachute Badge.
He graduated with a BA in Economics from Lafayette College, PA and received a MBA from Syracuse University, NY.
COL Dulac’s business career was involved with products manufacturing and marketed to construction or contractor related industries. His early career was in sales and marketing and later moved into general management where he became the CEO and President of several companies retiring from the Purdy Corporation out of Portland, Oregon — the world’s highest quality painting tools manufacturer. His business career included extensive international travels and experience including working in Japan. Other markets took him to Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Liechtenstein.
Mike and Shannon moved to the desert in late 2007 and shortly thereafter joined the Palms Springs Chapter (CVC-MOAA) both as a member and Chapter Board of Directors. He served as president from 2012-2014. Recently, Mike and Shannon moved to Murrieta to be near family, but remains a member of CVC-MOAA and a Board member.
Mike and Shannon have been married 56 years and have two children and four grandchildren.
MAY LEADERSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER
The Coachella Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (CVC-MOAA) hosted their annual Leadership and Scholarship Awards dinner last month. Over 96 members, parents, cadets and staff attended this event. Plus LaQuinta Mayor Linda Evans and LaQuinta Council Members, Steve Sanchez and Deborah McGarry attended.
Over the last 25 years, the CVC-MOAA has given out over $165,000 worth of scholarships to Coachella Valley high school students. This year the Chapter gave out four (4) $3,000 scholarships. This was the largest dollar amount in the CVC-MOAA history.
Those recipients were the following students:
Hunter Lopez Scholarship was given to Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC Cadet Major Emmanuel Villalba-Orozco.
Colonel John Samson Scholarship was awarded to Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC Cadet Captain Camilla Cardenas.
CWO4 Robert Ramirez Scholarship was awarded to LaQuinta High School Air Force JROTC Cadet LTC Leslie Grimaldo.
CPT John and Celeste Schleimer Scholarship was awarded to LaQuinta High School Air Force JROTC Cadet CPT Melissa Tran.
The event also included awarding two leadership medals to participating juniors. This award recognizes an outstanding cadet in their junior year in the program who has demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership and good academic standing.
Those students were Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC 2LT Deyo James and LaQuinta High School Air Force JROTC 2LT Jemma Silva-Miller.
The Chapter also honored LaQuinta High School Air Force COL Ethan Miller. Ethan was selected to attend the US Air Force Academy in the Fall. Out of 10,000 applicants, he was rated No. 2.
The Chapter started its own leadership award called the President’s Award and will be awarded each year at the annual Leadership and Scholarship Awards dinner. This year it was given to Col Mike Dulac (see article above.)
The members are active throughout the year raising funds for scholarships. Over $7,000 was raised last year through a silent auction an a promotion through MARVYN’S Magic Theater. Also, a generous donation from CPT John and Celeste Schleimer helps with the funds. In the last five years, the Schleimer’s have given $25,000 to the CVC-MOAA Scholarship fund to fund two scholarships: Hunter Lopez Scholarship and the CPT John and Celeste Schleimer Scholarship.
CVC-MOAA believes in supporting our future leaders!
MILITARY HOLIDAYS IN JUNE
JUNE 6: D-DAY ANNIVERSARY
JUNE 12: WOMEN VETERANS DAY
JUNE 14: ARMY BIRTHDAY
JUNE 14: U.S. FLAG DAY
- Indio Elks Lodge Flag Day Ceremony: a community celebration and flag ceremony honoring the American Flag
JUNE 23: COAST GUARD AUXILARY BIRTHDAY
JUNE 27: NATIONAL PTSD AWARENESS DAY
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available 24/7. You can call or text the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or text 838255.
NATIONAL MOAA WESTERN CONFERENCE
The national MOAA invited the CVC-MOAA Chapter to the Western Conference in San Diego, May 28-29, 2026. Four Board members attended: MAJ Terrie Heer, LTC Jim LaBaugh, CMDR Matt Stone and CAPT John Doyle, along with three spouses: Gary Heer,
Jean LaBaugh and Diana Doyle. Topics included chapter management, fundraising, legislative training, surviving spouse liaison training and best practices. This was a packed educational conference which allow our members to meet national MOAA leadership and leaders from other chapters from the western states. Speaking for all of us — we came home energized.
NEVER STOP SERVING
Terrie Heer
MAJ, USAR, (RET.)
President
CVC-MOAA
Coachella Valley Students Receive Scholarships and Leadership Awards
Date Published: 06/02/2026
The Coachella Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (CVC-MOAA) hosted their annual Leadership and Scholarship Awards dinner last week. Over 96 members, parents, cadets and staff attended this event. Plus LaQuinta Mayor Linda Evans and La Quinta Council Members, Steve Sanchez and Deborah McGarry attended.
Over the last 25 years, the CVC-MOAA has given out over $165,000 worth of scholarships to Coachella Valley high school students. This year the Chapter gave out four $3,000 scholarships. This was the largest dollar amount in the CVC-MOAA history. Those recipients were the following students:
Hunter Lopez Scholarship was given to Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC Cadet Major Emmanuel Villaba-Orozco.
Colonel John Samson Scholarship was awarded to Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC Cadet CPT Camilla Cardenas.
CWO4 Robert Ramirez Scholarship was awarded to La Quinta High School Air Force JROTC Cadet LTC Leslie Grimaldo.
CPT John and Celeste Schleimer Scholarship was awarded to La Quinta High School Air Force JROTC Cadet CPT Melissa Tran.
The event also include awarding two leadership medals to participating high school juniors. This award recognizes an outstanding cadet in their junior year in the program who has demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership and good academic standing
Those students were Desert Hot Springs High School USMC JROTC 2LT Deyo James and La Quinta High School Air Force JROTC 2LT Jemma Silva-Miller.
The Chapter also honored La Quinta High School Air Force COL Ethan Miller. Ethan was selected to attend the US Air Force Academy in the Fall. Out of 10,000 applicants, his application was ranked No. 2.
The Chapter started its own leadership award called the President’s Award and will be awarded each year at the annual Leadership and Scholarship Awards dinner. This year it was given to COL Mike Dulac, USAR, (Ret.) for his leadership within CVC-MOAA organization. Mike has been a member since 2007, served as president from 2012-2014, been on the throughout the twenty years being a member.
The members are active throughout the year raising funds for the scholarships. Over $7,000 was raised last year through a silent auction and a promotion through Marvyns Magic Theater. Also, a generous donation from CPT John and Celeste Schleimer helps with the funds. In the last 5 years, the Schleimer’s have given $25,000 to the CVC-MOAA Scholarship Fund.
“We believe in supporting tomorrow’s leaders through mentorship and sponsoring scholarships. Throughout the year at each meeting, the Chapter invites a cadet to speak to the membership but also interact with our members. It is great for the cadets, but our members thoroughly enjoy having a one-on-one conversation with these future leaders,” stated CVCMOAA president, MAJ Terrie Heer, USAR (Ret.).
The CVC-MOAA is a non-profit organization that meets monthly. Members are military officers representing the nine uniformed services and can be active, retired or commissioned officers plus surviving spouses
To learn more about the Coachella Valley Chapter of MOAA or to make a donation, visit CVC-MOAA.com
For more information contact:
Terrie Heer, MAJ, USAR, (Ret.)
President, CVC-MOAA
503-347-7614
May 2026 CVC-MOAA Information
Date Published: 05/12/2026
There is no such thing as an “ex-military” member,
Discipline cannot be returned,
Honor cannot be hung up,
Duty does not retire,
You may leave
The uniform behind,
But the character
Remains for a lifetime.
MAY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Another reminder of our General Membership meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oasis Country Club in Palm Desert. This is our Leadership and Scholarship Awards night for the LaQuinta HS AF JROTC and the Desert Hot Springs HS AF JROTC. Dinner is a BBQ buffet for $45. Dress is business attire.
Email LTC Alan Tibbetts at
NAME TAGS TO BE PICKED UP
At each meeting we have on the sign-in table, the name tags for members to be picked up. I have noticed we have quite a few of them. If you have not picked yours up, they are waiting for you at the next meeting. Here are name tags we currently have that are waiting for their owners:
COL Paul Crosby, Ivadell Crosby, CPT David Enger - will receive in the Fall, LTC Gail Kramer, Ed Smilow, CAPT John Doyle, LCDR Karl Szasz, CPT Larry Adams, CPT Steve Garfein, CPT Jim Marshall, Fran Ricketts, LTC Pete Shaner.
IN MEMORIUM
COLONEL WALLACE H. DAWSON III (BO)
January 1932 - January 2026
COL Bo Dawson was a member of CVC-MOAA (PSC-MOAA) for the over 15 years in the early 2000 up until he moved to North Carolina to be close to family. He was an active member attending all of the Chapter functions and served many years on the Chapter’s Board of Directors. His wife, Ann Dawson, was active in the “Wife Auxiliary” and was a generous benefactor to the Chapter after she passed three years ago.
“He was one of the most real persons I have ever met,” reflected COL Mike Dulac. “When I was president, he was my go to person whenever I wanted to hear the straight story whatever tough issue we faced.”
COL Dawson was a soldier, a warrior, on and off the battlefield. He fought for what he deeply believe in - his country and his family. He commanded respect not for who he was - a highly decorated Army officer - but for how he exemplified true courage, commitment, loyalty throughout his life particularly in the face of severe adversity.
Throughout his life, he solemnly abided by the Army code of conduct, which prohibits surrendering one’s free will. He believed in creating his own destiny, shaping his life through positive thinking and intentional action. Every day - and he had many in his 94 years - he fought on his own terms.
He was proud of his distinguished military career, beginning his 21 years of service in 1948 at the tender age of 17, when, unbeknownst to his parents, enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1951, he was commissioned as an infantry officers upon graduation from Officer Candidate School. His first assignment was as an infantry platoon leader in Korea. In 1972, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Infantry Hall of Fame. His decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist, Legion of Merit, three Bronze Starts and three Air Medals. In addition to Korea, he served two combat tours in Vietnam. His duty assignments as an Infantry and Logistics Officers included Okinawa, Japan; Fort Benning, Georgia where he trained as a paratrooper at the U.S. Army Airborne School’ Fort Bragg, Morty Carolina; Bamberg, German; Mannheim, Germany; Izmir Turkey and Selfridge Air Force Base Michigan.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND EVENTS - Monday, May 25, 2026
1. Palm Springs Flower Drop and Air Fair. Features a 1:00 p.m. ceremony with 5,000 red and white carnations dropped from a B-25 Bomber, plus flight exhibitions and music. It opens at 10:00 am.
2. Coachella Valley Public Library Cemetery District Ceremony. This is an annual ceremony with a 9 am flyover, wreath presentations, rifle volleys and choir performances in Coachella.
3. City of Indian Wells Memorial Day Ceremony. This starts at 9:00 am at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, featuring patriotic music and a flyover.
4. Cathedral City Memorial Day Luncheon. This starts at 12:00 p.m. at the Cimarron Golf Resort honoring veterans and local leaders.
5. Forest Lawn Cathedral City Memorial. Starting at 10:00 am, the morning ceremony will be held at the Chapel at 69-855 Ramon Rd.
6. Desert Hot Springs Veterans Park. Presentation of Colors by the DHSHS USMC JROTC will start the ceremony at 9:00 am.
DON’T FORGET TO EMAIL ATIBBETTSRY@ GMAIL.COM TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THAT WILL CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIPS!
NEVER STOP SERVING
Terrie Heer
MAJ, USA, (Ret.)
President
CVC-MOAA
