General Orders # 7

January 2026

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, January 15, 2026

8 PM EST / 7PM CST / 6 PM MST/ 5 PM PST

All Members and Patriots Welcome

Meeting Code - 2020

Call in via telephone: 1-929-436-2866

Enter this Meeting ID: 4981 732 263

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National President

Fran Holtgreven

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!

A new year has started, welcome to 2026! Rebates were sent out late December. If you have not received your rebate, check with your Treasurer, Secretary or President, as the check may have went to their address.

The National monthly zoom meetings held on the third Thursday of each month will look a little different this year. It is always fun to know what each Department or Unit has been doing to help their Veterans and what is happening in their area, but this year I would like to ADD something a little different. This year we will have speakers to give us information and ideas of how we can take care of our Patriot and ourselves, what to do when we have lost our Patriot. We will have information about how to fill out forms with a school of instruction, how to help our membership grow and ideas to clean up their roster. National Officers will be prepared to let you know what they are doing for the organization and how they are fulfilling their responsibilities.

Please join us at the January National Zoom meeting on January 15, 2026, to hear from the National Sr. Vice President on ideas of how to get new membership. She will be presenting ideas, step by step, on how to complete recruiting new members. The National Jr. Vice President will be reporting on what the Bylaws Committee and the Ways-n-Means Committee are completing.

Please let your Department and Unit members know about the monthly zoom meetings. These monthly zoom meetings are not only for officers, but they are also for EVERYONE of our Auxiliary members. To have this organization moving forward we need to have participation from everyone. If you have ideas that you would like to see presented at the zoom meetings, please contact me.

“Rise To The Challenge” and attend the zoom meetings and learn more about what is going on with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary.

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@Gmail.com

MESSAGES FROM OUR AUXILIARY LEADERSHIP

National Senior Vice President

Teviah Gilliard

Happy 2026! A New Year’s Update

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a chance to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved downtime with family and friends. It’s a joy to start another year alongside such a dedicated group of generous and gifted members.

What’s on My Radar

While the holidays were a nice break, I’ve been keeping the gears turning behind the scenes and collaborating with my fellow officers to work toward the goal of making sure that we have the structure and support that we need to grow together. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy:

Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee: My committee and I have been deeply absorbed with continuing to review and refine our bylaws. To our fortune, the official Bylaws Committee joins us to help steer our recommendations; their expertise ensures our reports and proposals are even more solid, as we shape our perspective into modernized recommendations for changes to our governing document. We’re now in the home stretch of reviewing the articles of the bylaws and it’s the kind of due diligence that makes sure our “rules of the road” are modern, fair, and ready to serve us well for years to come.
Refining our Approach to Membership: I’ve been grinding to build a formal membership program. We’ve needed a solid framework with pure & specific ideas, and I’m focused on making sure that we have a clear system to support you- our valued members—while also providing a welcoming and organized path for those joining us. I’m excited to present this initiative to you all during our upcoming monthly Zoom meeting and look forward to seeing you there.

Wishes for the Year Ahead

As we move into the rest of January, I wish you all a year of health, happiness and great company. Thank you for the heart that you put into the Auxiliary—it’s your service that makes all the groundwork so worthwhile!

Teviah

Teviah.G.MOPHA@yahoo.com

National Jr. Vice

Linda Bellis

Happy New Year. I hope that everyone had a great holiday season. I met up with my daughter in Vietnam. It was so nice to be with her. We haven't seen each other since July. One of the days we visited an art studio. The studio artist are all affected by agent orange. They made pictures out of egg and sea shells. If they used paint each color had 14 layers of paint. Come to the national convention and you can possibly win a small candle holder.

This is the time of the year to plan fund raiders for your department and units. Viola drives is a great way to raise money and meet potential new members. The auxiliary are ALLOWED to do our own fund raisers with the viola's. We DO NOT need to be with the Patriots. The money raised has to be spent on our veterans. This can help veterans in the nursing home, hospitals and the homeless. You can contact Sams club, big grocery stores and Walmarts. Saturdays are great day, 8-2 is a good time. Set up shifts for people to work. Good luck. If you need to order violas here is the contact.

Minnesota Military Order of the Purple Heart Viola Program

C/O William A. Bull

22470 CSAH 14

Darwin, MN 55324

Phone # 952-594-2374

I will be talking on how to go about this on the monthly zoom. See you there. I hope all of your resolutions are still going strong. I messed mine up the first week. Always time to reset!!!!!

Linda "Bellis"

LindaB.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Happy New Year to everyone. It was a busy holiday season, at least for me. Mike and I worked on purchasing Christmas presents and then distributing them to Military families in northeast Ohio. Once that was completed, we focused on getting transitional housing kits for homeless Veterans moving into housing. Vacuums, small kitchen appliances, pots and pans, silverware and cooking utensils, towels and bedding for 7 full kits were purchased and delivered to a local facility. Once that was completed, we purchased towels and bedding for a Veterans shelter using National's HOV program. This shelter is the only one in Ohio that accepts female Veterans. We were so proud and it was so fulfilling to volunteer our time to these endeavors. Consider using the HOV and CDCE grants available, you could change lives in so many ways.

Please consider running for an office at any level in the Auxiliary. The more hands, the easier the work. Best wishes for the New Year.

Judy

mophauxsec@gmail.com

330-880-3364

National Membership Officer

Cheryl Perez, PNP

Jordan Jakubicz, WI 162

Carolyn Jakubicz, WI 162

Linda Darlene Paul, PA 190

Cheryl

Members.MOPHA@gmail.com

National VAVS Officer

National Sgt at Arms

National Americanism Officer

Linda Varejcka

REMINDER

Across the USA, in each of our area's there are Veterans who are less fortunate than us. What we take for granted is a big deal to them. They never expected to be in these situations, but they are, they are embarrassed, but they need each and everyone of our help. BUT they aren't only in this situation between November 1st and January 1st. It is year long. I see it first hand. November 1st comes, Veterans Day comes and everyone gets on the band wagon for the Veteran. The donations come in fast and furious. Then comes January 1st and all is calm.

THERE ARE VETERANS 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR THAT NEED HELP!!!!!

Call your VA facilities, coordinate with the Social Service employee's, your nursing homes. What is on the needs list for our Veterans. I've already talked with the Social Service rep's regarding needs for the summer. For those in hot temp states, did you ever see if there was a need for fan's??? Think about it I'm sure you can come up with a lot of creative idea's.

We have said OVER and OVER again. We have forms (HOV) where you can request $250.00. VAVS/CDCE grant forms that you can request up to $2,000.00. (This is $'s that has been given to us by the MOPH Foundation). We NEED to use it or we will lose it and then we won't be able to help Veterans.

Please help me, help you, help our Veterans.

Linda Varejcka - 450 Conestoga Ave. - Hickman, NE - 402 580.2549 - jfvarejcka@windstream.net

FOR THIS MONTH's CONTEST, LET ME KNOW ONE WAY A UNIT OR DEPARTMENT CAN USE GRANT FUNDS TO HELP ENRICH THE LIFE OF A VETERAN. Let me know by Wednesday evening.

HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR 2026!

We have arrived! We are here!!! Praise the Lord!!!

As we are now well into this New Year and look back on the past year of 2025 amidst all of life and world events significant changes as well as accomplishments have been made. I am so grateful to God for the Auxiliary, the Order, and the Foundation for their perseverance and strength-- and thanks to you.

Now is the time to recharge, rejuvenate, refocus, regroup, rejuvenate, rewind, refresh (self-not computer-lol), re-establish, renewing of mind, and reflect for making resolutions of things of the past. The past used as the stepping stone to continue build on the present, for the future. May I encourage you to reflect on how important you are to your family, friends, our organization and your spectacular self? Even more so, as our minds are renewed, my thought is it’s time to recognize and realize by Whom we have been created and His design and defined purpose and opportunities for your life/our lives. Having said that and as we look forward to accomplishing a greater and higher level accelerating forward and upward I share with you Words for confidence:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you

and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

(Reminder, God’s Word does not return void, never waiver or take flight.)

In Sympathy and Memoriam Almighty God in His Infinite Wisdom called the following members to their Eternal Reward:

(Always sad to share, but never too late to send a card when possible)

Note: A special shout out to National Membership Officer, PNP Cheryl Perez National Membership Officer, who continuously research the Auxiliary’s Membership roster for updates. Thank you NMO/PNP Perez.

**MOPH Region II Commander Terry D. Anderson 20 December 2025 (2 PH)

*Colleen Dennison NML (7/3/24)

*Ozelle Edwards GA DML (9/10/22)

*Louise Wilkerson TX DML (2/7/13)

*Orpha Power NML (2/8/23)

*Shirley Stanton NML (3/18/13)

*Imogene Lester NML (12/23/22)

*Dorothy Pope NML (12/28/24)

*Erna Chambers TX 1836 (2/1/22)

*Elvira Bazan NML (6/28/22)

*Anne Bannister NML (5/14/10)

*Mary L. Rositano NML (7/8/22)

*Ruth Reitmeyer NML (5/12/22)

*Grace Clay TX DML (12/4/20)

*Margaret East NML (1/13/24)

*Dixie Rahorst NML (5/3/25)

*Joan Shidler LA DML (11/19/21)

*Marilyn Grace NML (10/3/25)

*Georgia Harmeyer NML (10/27/17)

*Nancy Hickey NML (6/25/19)

*Muriel Beal MN 268 (10/12/25)

*Mary Bankston TX 1919 (12/15/20)

*Lila Carson TX 1836 (1/22/24)

*Johnnita Horn NE 632 (4/26/25)

*Amy Sandager NML (7/4/18)

*Shirley Mulligan MI 127 (7/4/25)

*Norma Wyler NML (10/6/19)

*Bernice Sebring MI 91 (11/21/24)

*Eva Arvin NML (10/422)

*Gladys Moore TX DML (5/25/13)

*Virneda Thomas NML (5/31/16)

*Evelyn Mason NML (6/20/23)

*Kathryn Gillis NML (3/4/23)

*M. Ann Kavinta NML (1/14/17)

*Mary Bryant GA DML 8/23/15)

*Audrey Hansen WI 162 (6/25/15)

*Jennie Spampani NML (11/3/98)

Praise Report!!

Praise God for the blessing of being present to welcome the New Year 2026 and from WHOM all blessings come!!!

On-going prayer requests:

 The bereaved/grieving, the homebound/hospitalized/sick and shut-ins.

 Survivors of all of the horrific events of terrorism, violence, environmental and societal devastation, as well as other changes throughout the world.

 Our Nation and what’s happening in the now, the United States of America government, religious and political leaders as well as other worldly affairs and the impact of those affairs.

 Support for our military, protectors & first responders and volunteers

 Front line workers, caregivers; medical and educational professionals, field workers in other services giving a helping hand for people (missionaries)

 The unhoused, needy and hungry; those who are lonely, disenfranchised, demoralized or incarcerated;

 Those unspoken requests with many other needs including concerns for health, family, healing, finances other matters

 Those prayers known and unknown to only God. Praise God!

Thank God for what He is/has/will do. Thank God, Trust God, for He has His finger on the pulse of our lives.

January 2026 Celebrations:

Birthstone: Garnet. Birth Flower: Carnation & Snowdrop

Happy, Happy, Happy, and God’s Birthday Blessings!

And, Happy, Happy, Happy God’s Anniversary Blessings to all of our January 2026 Celebrants! Members share your birthday or anniversary date so we can join in your celebration.

JANUARY 2026 EVENTS

By the time you read this, a few of January’s notable significant days have already passed-- although every day of living is of great significance. For a full calendar of monthly, weekly, and daily observances, I encourage you to explore Google’s January Calendar. It’s chock-full of health, fun, informational awareness which would take up a lot of space here. Enjoy-have fun!

19 January. MLK Holiday: “Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chaplain’s Chat. The next Chaplain’s Zoom Chat will be announced. Looking forward to seeing and talking with y’all.

*Sharing an invite message from MOPH National Chaplain:

“Please join with National Chaplain Carlton Cannon for our annual “PRAYER AWAKENING.” We have dedicated the first 90 days (Jan – Feb – Mar) for a time of consecrated prayer; each day at 12-noon, for 10 minutes, wherever you are. Prayer for each other, our families, our homes, our military veterans and allies, our nation and the various military veterans’ organizations will take place! I know prayer changes things, and when two or three of us prayerfully join together, “We will GIT’er Done for HIS SAKE!’

Let MOPHA team-join in and do this as we let love resonate and abound freely without hindrance because to WHOM we all belong. AMEN!!!

PRAYER TIME:

Please join in prayer, according to your faith, even that as small as a mustard seed. I invite you to include the aforementioned prayer requests, as well as the Prayer of St Francis. This is YOUR time-it will be YOUR Prayer…

“They were all continually united in prayer.” (Acts 1:14)

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”

In Your Holy Name, AMEN!

Loving Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Father God!

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)

Have an abundantly blessed New Year 2026 by His grace and mercy -everyday! AMEN!!!

Humbly, Eternally Grateful, and In HIS Love,

National MOPHA Co-Chaplain Gwendolyn

Numbers 6:24-26

National Region 2 President

Angie Foster

“We have always done it this way!” There is no need to change for the sake of change, but is there a better way of doing things? Or is the way we have always done it still working for us? Some advantages to keeping the status quo is stability, efficiency, risk reduction and preservation of knowledge. Some cons of “We have always done it this way!” is missed opportunities, stagnation, lack of flexibility, resistance to change and limited learning. The key here is not to solve problems that you don’t have, but rather that you should consider the possibility that what once worked, no longer does. There are valid reasons to change the way you do things, find a new approach to solving a problem and generate new ideas. Just a little food for thought as we go into the new year in MOPHA. Watch your email for the newsletters and links to the upcoming Region 2 Zoom meetings on Jan. 14th and Mar. 11th. Keep up the great work Region 2 Crew!

Angie

MOPHA Region 2 President

angiefoster214@gmail.com

PO Box 93, Osceola, NE 68651

"Hug A Veteran"

National Region 4 President

Kay Jo Baucom

Region 4 is home to some of the hardest workers and most ardent supporters of our beloved Patriots!

Whatever is needed, our members step up and show out with compassion, caring and devotion. The holidays are often difficult for those who are facing hardships and challenges. Our departments and units recognize the impact a smiling face, a kind gesture or survival packages can have. Knowing that, Region 4 visited hospitals, sent cards, provided meals, volunteered countless hours, and brought broad smiles and sighs of relief to some who needed that kindness the most! Gifts were presented and donations made to newly established facilities for women veterans, shower gifts for expectant mothers whose newborns will be military family members, stand - down assistance given, honoring the Purple Heart history by insuring the dignity of the MOPH signage in our communities and making our organization visible by wearing logo merchandise and sharing with deserving individuals our coins. Students wrote cards that celebrated the service and sacrifices of our Patriots and graciously these individuals took the time to send pictures and notes of appreciation to the students in return- what a magnificent way to connect with and educate our younger generation!!!

May God bless our military, our families and our MOPH families!

Kay Jo

MOPHA Region 4 President

National Region 5 President

Doris Williams

Region 5's Department of Louisiana Patriots will be hosting a king-cake fundraiser to help a Vietnam Veteran whose house completely burnt down on New Years Day. They will be taking orders beginning January 12th and ending on January 31st. Shipping will begin on Feb 2nd. Morre details can be found on their website at MOPHLA.org. King Cakes will be $70.

Doris

MOPHA Region 5 President

NEWS from the ORDER

The countdown to convention is on! The 2026 Annual Convention will be held on July 13-17, 2026 in New Bern North Carolina. The Gala will be held on the 16th.

Info on the convention, commemorative items, and more will be shared soon.

The first edition of the 2026 Purple Heart Magazine can be found by clicking HERE

The next deadline to be included in the Purple Heart Magazine is February 15, 2026 . Send articles, ideas, suggestions, and/or photos (list people in photo description) to Publications@PurpleHeart.org

For social media postings, send to Barbara at webmaster.MOPHA@Gmail.com. PLEASE PUT SOCIAL MEDIA in the subject line.

The next Zoom meeting will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Send articles, photos, or news to Barbara, our new webmaster at webmaster.MOPHA@Gmail.com at least 10 days before for inclusion.

Download a copy of the National Officer Listing by clicking HERE