President’s Message
Dear MOAA Maine Chapter Members,
As autumn settles across our state and we look toward the final months of the year, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your steadfast commitment to our chapter and our shared mission. Whether through legislative advocacy, supporting our local veteran community,
or fostering camaraderie among officers and their families, your involvement is what keeps the spirit of MOAA vibrant in Maine. Never Stop Serving is more than just a motto—it is the guiding principle that brings us together to protect the earned benefits of those who have served and to support those who follow in our footsteps.
Building and maintaining these strong connections is at the heart of everything we do. Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for our largest fundraiser of the year: our 5th Annual MOAA Maine Golf Classic, which will be held once again at the beautiful Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach on Monday, August 2nd, 2027.
In the nearer term, as we wrap up another impactful year, I warmly invite each of you to join us for our upcoming quarterly chapter luncheon on Saturday, December 5th, at the Maine Military Museum in South Portland. Gathering in person gives us a wonderful opportunity to break bread, reflect on our accomplishments, and share in the rich history and fellowship that make our chapter so special. Click here to view the: Reservations Form
I look forward to catching up with long-time friends, welcoming new members, and continuing our work together in service to our military community and nation. Thank you for all that you do for MOAA Maine, and I hope to see many of you in South Portland on December 5th!
Warm regards,
Paul Loiselle
December Luncheon Guest Speaker – Major General Diane L. Dunn
Major General Diane L. Dunn serves as the 41st Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
General Dunn received her commission in 1988 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Houghton University, a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Maine, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Over the course of her distinguished career, General Dunn has held numerous leadership and staff positions across a broad range of commands. Prior to her current assignment, she served as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Maine Army National Guard from 2020 to 2021. During that period, she was dual-hatted as Deputy Commanding General (Army National Guard), Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA), U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), at Fort Sam Houston, Texas—overseeing critical homeland response coordination during domestic emergencies.
Her previous assignments include Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Maine; Commander, 120th Regional Support Group; Commander, 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, including deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and Commander, 240th Regiment (Regional Training Institute). General Dunn has also served in multiple key staff roles within the Maine National Guard and at U.S. Northern Command.
Her joint experience includes service as the Joint Regional Exercise Branch Chief, U.S. Northern Command and Joint Force Headquarters–Maine, where she helped plan and execute interagency disaster response exercises across the northeastern United States.
Among her many military decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with two campaign stars).Her professional affiliations include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, and the National Guard Association of the United States. She is also a recipient of the Orders of Saint Christopher and Saint Martin and a member of the St. Bonaventure University Army ROTC Hall of Fame.
Click here to view the: Reservations Form
Dec 5th Luncheon Now with a Silent Auction
In addition to the 50/50 raffle at our luncheon to help raise $$ for our MOAA Maine Chapter, we’re going to “wing it” with a Silent Auction. If you have an item that you think may be of value that you no longer want – whether it be a holiday item, a hand crafted something, a gift from a relative you would love to (secretly) regift, or something that you want to buy to donate – bring it to the Luncheon. Jack Fay (no surprise, right?) with the help from Connie will organize the “goodies” and hopefully, we’ll have a little competitive bidding!
See you on December 5th at theMaine Military Museum!
Annual Dues and Donations Drive
We are beginning our annual dues and donations drive. Please use this link to find the right page on our website: https://moaamaine.org/annual-dues-letter/ Dues are $25.00 for the year. You will have the option of downloading the form and mailing your payment, using a link to get to the online payment location or using a QR Code. You also have the option of making an additional donation to the General Fund or ROTC Awards. Please note that these dues are different from MOAA National dues. We encourage you to complete this action as soon as possible, but no later than February 1, 2027.
Induction of New Officers and Members of the Board of Directors
Our Chapter By-Laws require us to install the newly elected slate of officers and members of the Board of Directors at our December General Meeting. The officers and new Directors for 2027 elected by our members at the September Annual Meeting, September 12, 2026 include:
Officer Slate for 2027
President: Brig Gen Paul Loiselle, USAF 207-205-3792 loisellepc@outlook.com
1st Vice-President: CDR David Patch, USN 207-751-5672 dapatch66@gmail.com
2nd Vice-President: Col Mike Delia, USAF 207-967-4571 deliamdd1@gmail.com
Secretary: MAJ Patrick J. Mitchell, USA 508-404-9325 patrick.john.mitchell1@gmail.com
Treasurer: COL Stephen Broughall, USA 202-445-8176 broughall.stephen@mail.com
Immediate Past President: LTC Brenda Pennels, USA 207-671-1262 brendapennels@gamil.com
At Large Directors 2027-2029
LT (jg) Jack Fay, USNR 207-883-6447 jfay0001@maine.rr.com
Vacant
At Large Directors 2026-2028 (Elected Prior Year)
COL Frank Toderico, USA 207-939-8239 ftoderico@juni.com
Connie Harrison 207-420-5437 connierharrison@gmail.com
At Large Directors 2025-2027 (Elected Prior Year)
COL Arthur Wickham, USA 207-810-6233 arthur.wickham@yahoo.com
MOAA Maine Outreach
MOAA Maine Chapter continues its outreach efforts by participating in VA Expos in Boothbay, Newry, and at Cabela’s in Saco. MOAA also participated in a veteran information event hosted by VFW Post 202 at the Brunswick Tractor Supply. These events provide an excellent opportunity to connect with veterans, military families, and the community, while also introducing MOAA to prospective new members and recruiting them to join the Chapter. They are an important part of our continuing effort to increase awareness of MOAA and the services and resources available to veterans.
Submitted by CDR David Patch, 1st Vice President
Upcoming 2027 Chapter Events
Saturday, March 6: Spring MOAA Maine Chapter Luncheon – Bruno’s Restaurant, Portland
Saturday, June 5: Second MOAA Maine Chapter Luncheon – location TBD
Monday, August 2: MOAA Maine’s 5th Annual Golf Classic – Dunegrass Golf Club, Old Orchard Beach
Saturday, Se[tember 11: MOAA Maine Chapter Annual Meeting – location TBD
Saturday, December 4: MOAA Maine Chapter Luncheon – Maine Military Museum, S. Portland
MOAA Maine Chapter Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser – 2027 GOAL: $15K and 15 Teams
As the weather turns, and the golf season draws to a close, we start our plans for the Chapter’s largest fundraiser: The Annual Golf Tournament. This past year we raised just over $10,000 net after expenses. Our goal for 2027 is $15,000 (or more) and 15 Teams. Not everyone plays golf, but everyone knows someone who does; most people do not play by themselves, so there is a possibility of getting a team.We ask all the Chapter members to talk to their friends about the tournament and get the interest going now. You will hear about this every month as it’s that important to the success of the Chapter. Never stop serving.
Submitted by LT (jg) Jack Fay
MOAA 2026 Community Outreach Grant Awardee
Thanks to Maine Chapter Secretary Jack Fay and his passion for seeking opportunities (i.e., free money) for our Maine Veterans, our Chapter was able to secure a $2500 MOAA National Community Outreach Award for the Maine Veterans in Need, Inc. organization. This grant will support Maine veterans who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of becoming homeless, or are facing an emergency situation where immediate assistance is needed to help prevent a mental health crisis. 100% of the grant funds will go directly toward helping veterans in need. MOAA Maine Chapter is proud to support Maine Veterans in Need and its mission to provide immediate assistance to veterans and their families during times of crisis. You can learn more about the organization by talking with Maine Chapter’s First VP, David Patch
Welcome Aboard
The MOAA Maine Chapter is pleased to Welcome Aboard the following new Member:
Colonel Christopher Winne, USA, and his wife Dagmar from South Portland
Thank you for your interest in our chapter. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming Membership Meetings.
Submitted by Rob McAleer, Membership Chair
Congratulations
Congratulations to former Chapter president Brenda Pennels for her appointment as the new US Army Reserve Ambassador for the State of Maine.
A timely reminder as we approach the holiday season
Wreaths Across America (WAA) will make a $5.00 donation back to our MOAA chapter for every wreath a member donates. The link below has more information on the WAA program and how to donate (WAA recommended that our Maine MOAA chapter support the Togus VA cemetery since that cemetery has not had many donations in the past). The is a great opportunity to support a Maine based veterans’ charity and for our chapter to receive some financial benefit.
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/190886/Overview/?relatedId=16133
Submitted by Stephen Broughall, Treasurer
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