MOAA members Myra and Jeff McCune, both U.S. Navy retirees, model the masks in the two different patterns available for the Navy. (Photo by Bruce Hilt)
Each mask sports the insignia of one of the military services. (Photo by Jadine Hilt)
Peggy McGee
Even before the CDC started recommending that everyone wear masks to help protect them from the Coronavirus, Jadine Hilt, Secretary of the Green Valley Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Chapter and seamstress extraordinaire, thought about making masks for the military. She gathered material containing the insignia for all five military services and set her sewing machine in motion, first making masks for her family and members of the MOAA executive board.
As medical guidance began to stress the importance of wearing masks even if one was not ill, she made masks for other MOAA members. Besides being unique in the pattern design, she added elastic at the bottom of the mask to help ensure a snug fit as well as a wire sewn in at the top to pinch over one’s nose, making them more comfortable to wear. The pinched wire also keeps glasses from fogging up.
To order a unique military service mask (with delivery guaranteed in time for Memorial Day), please contact Jadine at [email protected].
Even after the threat of the virus has passed, you can show your military pride by wearing a mask when traveling commercially.