National Sr. Vice President

Teviah L. Gilliard

First, I would like to congratulate Madam President Fran Holtgreven and her slate of officers. Secondly, it is with great enthusiasm that I say “Happy New Auxiliary Year” to you! I am overjoyed to serve as your National Sr. Vice President for the 2024-2025 term. I am very excited for what is to come for our veterans and the Auxiliary as we “RISE TO THE CHALLENGES” that await us this year; with a fresh wave of commitment and a spirit of service, our call to action is very clear to embrace the year with the same fervor and dedication that has always been the hallmark of the Auxiliary.

I would like to take this time to thank our newest Past National President Barbara Hale-Ray for a productive and fantastic year. Her mission to band TOGETHER and serve our Patriots, veterans and families was all made possible by working TOGETHER!  WE DID IT well and we’ll keep on doing it well!

The Symposium that took place during the Order’s 91st National Convention in Orlando, FL was a smash hit and an experience for the books. It underscored the importance of self-care and personal growth, reminding us that to care for others effectively, we must also prioritize our well-being. 

‘Thanks a million’ to those of you who supported the F.L.A. dollar bill fundraiser and the Hawaiian-inspired shirts. The feedback and support were tremendous and positively overwhelming! PNP, Webmaster, sister in love, and ”Collaborator Extraordinaire”- Colleen Orfanello- Hats off to you for making the shirts fundraiser a possibility and an outright success!

This year, we will have a sharpened focus on membership. National President Fran Holtgreven and I have similar goals in mind to make sure that we maintain and increase membership, improve communications and publicity and last but not least, assuring that we continue to serve our veterans and their families with renewed vigor.

It is my greatest hope that we will RISE to the challenge and fulfill our goals tenfold. Please do not hesitate to give suggestions or feedback; we are in a growth mindset here in the Auxiliary, so please share your thoughts! Thank you for your confidence in me as I serve as National Senior Vice President, as it not just a responsibility and an honor, but a privilege. Here's to a year of growth, service, and unwavering support!

Yours In Reverent Patriotism,

Teviah

teviah.gilliard@yahoo.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Hi Everyone...Another convention has come and gone. Congratulations to our new President Fran Holtgreven from Texas. Our Regions all have new Presidents as well and are ready, willing and able to get started working with President Fran.

At the end of the convention, I told everyone that I have been National Secretary for the past 12 years and will continue to be President Fran's secretary for her year. I am sorry to say...she will be my last. I am truly hoping that someone will step up and take my place. It is an appointed position and if interested, please contact Teviah or me. I am so willing to help you in any way possible. After speaking with the finance committee, we are looking into scanning all of our old records and putting them on thumb drives and shrinking down so much of what I have in my possession. The sooner you step up, the sooner I can start to walk you through the duties of National Secretary. The best advice I would give you is to be organized.

I would like to thank, now PNP, Barbara Ray for her kindness and generous spirit for this past year...YES WE DID IT!!!!

Just a few back to business things...Your 990 Accepted letter from the IRS and finance reports are due to Tracy by October 1. Your Life Membership Verification (LMV) form is due to Cheryl Perez by October 1. The LMV form is on our website. The convention minutes will be ready in a few weeks and will be shared to the Officers, attendees and Unit Presidents when available. 

Thank you EVERYONE and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Judy

mophauxsec@gmail.com

330-880-3364

National Americanism Officer, Sgt at Arms, VAVS Rep, and CDCE Grant coordinator

Linda Varejcka

Patriotism/Americanism

Patriotisms:  The feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to a country or state. This attachment can be a combination of different feelings for things such as the language of one's homeland, and its ethnic cultures, political, or historical aspects. (Wikipedia)

Americanism:  A word, expression or other feature that is characteristic of American English, attachment or allegiance to the traditions, institutions, and ideals of the United States. (Wikipedia)

Some of you have indicated that you did not appoint an Americanism/Patriotic chairman and do not have a program at your meetings. Why not assign someone different to present a small program, reading, etc. at each meeting instead of one person being responsible. At your meetings plan what you as a member, unit, department can do for Patriotic Holidays or programs at your local schools or community. (donate patriotic book to their library, read a patriotic story to a classroom, take a Veteran to school to talk with the class, distribute flags, teach flag etiquette. We just celebrated Purple Heart Day. Did you write an article in the paper? What did you do? Do you write articles for the local paper? Or do you distribute materials? What do you distribute, where do you distribute. Do you sponsor a scholarship? Do you sponsor an essay contest? Please please share, so I can feature you and your idea's in upcoming General Orders.

You may see the following acronyms, throughout upcoming articles

VA:  Veterans Affair - VAVS:  Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service - NAC:  VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee - CDCE:  VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement (formerly Voluntary Service) - HOV: Helping our Veterans - CLC: community living centers - CBOC: community-based outpatient clinic

Abraham Lincoln in his inaugural address said and I quote " To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan. In August of 2023 the motto was changed a little to be, and I quote: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.  

I will quote articles from information received this year at the 78th Annual meeting and Conference in hopes of helping you know how important our volunteering and donating to the VA facilities is. NAC (of the Department of Veterans Affairs) was established May 27,1947 and became a federally chartered advisory committee on February 5, 1975. The Committee advises the Under Secretary for Health on matters pertaining to the participation of Volunteers in VA medical facilities, assists in recruitment and orientation of volunteers and keeps the officers and member of participating organizations informed of volunteers needs and accomplishments.  

CDCE Mission statement. To strategically integrate volunteers, donations, and community partners into VA operations so that they may supplement and sustain the care and services provided American's Veterans, their families and caregivers.

CDCE, is one of the largest volunteer programs in the Federal government and has provided 77 years of service to America's Veterans seeking care in the VA health care facilities. Since 1946, over six million CDCE volunteers have donated close to seven and a half million hours. CDCE is advised by a NAC composed of 55 major Veteran, civic, and service organizations. CDCE volunteers and their organizations contribute in-kind gifts and donations, which supplement VA appropriations to medical centers, clinics, clc's. These significant contributions allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist direct patient care programs, as well as support services and activities that may not be fiscal priorities from year to year.

Your National VAVS Rep or Dep is required to attend the annual NAC convention. If an organization does not answer roll for 3 annual meeting the organization is in jeopardy of being removed from the organization. (4 groups were dropped this year).  Last year the convention was in St. Louis. The site and date of the coming NAC convention has not been set yet.

TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF - THURSDAY AUGUST 15TH

You often heard PNP Barbara say take time for you, have a cup of tea and relax. If you stayed on for President Fran's post NEC you heard one of her "challenges" was to take care of ourselves. If you were able to attend the auxiliaries symposium in Florida we had a County Service Officer tell us about the VA Caregivers Program and we had a speaker that talked with us about relaxation. Yes, believe it or not she did relax me. I do belong to a VA caregivers group. 

Thursday August 15th is "National Relaxation Day of Rest"

This is an important day as we all need a break from the fast-paced and often hectic lifestyles we live. Taking time to recuperate and rejuvenate our tired minds and bodies may help prevent many health risks and stress too!

My VA Caregiver Support coordinator gave us for the month of August a challenge. Since in Nebraska the seasons will be changing, it will be getting dark sooner, temps will be changing, we will be staying in the house longer etc. so she has challenged us to do things for ourselves: sit in the sunshine and relax with a cup of coffee or tea, cook out, take a trip to a farmers market, attend a local fair, eat lunch at a restaurant with outdoor seating, go sit somewhere and just people watch, go somewhere for an ice cream treat, sit by a bon fire, (doesn't a smore sound good?) go on a mini picnic, take pictures with ones you love. Relax rejuvenate!

National Region 2 President

Linda Bellis

I am honored to be your region two President. My father was in the Army in World War II. He received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. My husband Dave is a Marine. He did two tours in Vietnam getting his Purple Heart in 1968. Because of these amazing men, I am a member of the MOPHA.

This year, I would like to get in touch with all Departments and Units. My goal is to open communication to all. Also, all of us can trade ideas to grow together. Thank you to those for attending the Zoom National Convention. It was great seeing all of you.

Linda "Bellis"

Region 2 President

lbellis719@msn.com

National Region 5 President

Doris Williams

As the new Region 5 President, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for trusting me to help continue to shape our organization and embody the spirit of those who have come before me.

It is my pleasure to serve you. I am a member of Unit 1876, have served as the president of this great unit and the Department of Texas President.

Together we can make a difference in the lives of our veterans, family members and within our respective communities.

Let’s have a great year.

Doris

region5mophaux@gmail.com

National Region 4 President

Jay Jo Baucom, PNP

I am Kay Jo Baucom and have been elected as Region 4 President of our MOPHA. It is such an honor to represent every member of this region. First, many thanks to JoAnn Croney for the work she has done as the past Region 4 President.

Secondly, working together, as we “rise to the challenge”, will be a labor of love, dedication, and hard work doing all we can to support our Patriots, our organization, and each other. Teamwork and communication will be the key to being successful in all of our endeavors. Congratulations to all our newly elected leadership team and committee chairpersons!

Kudos to past national President Barbara Hale Ray and her team for a job well done. The road to a successful year starts with a single step and Region 4 is ready to go!! 

Kay Jo Baucom Region 4 President

Kay Jo

National Region 4 President

KarenBaucom8@gmail.com