Very Reverend Archpriest Peter Baktis has been appointed to the Military Officers Association of America Board of Directors and named its National Chaplain. Fr. Peter has served as the President of the Lakes and Pines Chapter (New Jersey), and is currently the president of the Chaplain Virtual Chapter and the president of the NJ Council of Chapters.

MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. With more than 360,000 members from every branch of service -- including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their families -- the MOAA is a powerful force speaking for a strong national defense and representing the interests of military service members and their families at every stage of their careers.

The association plays an active role in military personnel matters and especially proposed legislation affecting the career force, the retired community, and veterans of the uniformed services. MOAA's overarching goals are captured in its resolutions, which reflect the views of the entire membership. The membership provides input and votes on resolutions every two years (on even years).

The association is governed by a board of directors consisting of 36 officers from the seven uniformed services. Four of the association's national officers -- the chairman of the board and three vice chairmen -- are elected by the board of directors. Also elected as association officers by the board of directors (from outside the board membership) are the president, chief financial officer, and secretary, all of whom serve on MOAA as professional, salaried staff.

The president and staff directors conduct daily business from the headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

Father Peter is the Rector of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow Church, in Princeton, NJ. He also represents the Orthodox Church in America in a number of national ecumenical organizations and at several national and international ecumenical gatherings.

His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, and the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey proudly congratulate Fr. Peter on his new appointment, and pray for God's blessings and his every success in serving in this additional responsibility.