National Sr. Vice President

Teviah L. Gilliard

As we reflect on the significance of Pearl Harbor Memorial Day, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of those who served and perished on December 7, 1941. This day, which will forever live in infamy, marks a pivotal moment in our history and a testament to the courage and resilience of our armed forces.

While I didn't travel to observe the Pearl Harbor Remembrance, it was a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made and the importance of rising to the challenge in the face of adversity. People all over the country and worldwide commemorate this day through various ceremonies, parades, moments of silence, paying tribute to the fallen and honoring the survivors. These acts of remembrance serve as a powerful reminder of the unity and strength that define our military community.



As we transition into the holiday season, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and gratitude. This time of year is an opportunity to come together with loved ones, reflect on our blessings, and extend our support to those in need. I am forever grateful that our beloved Auxiliary remains committed to fostering an environment of goodwill and providing service to our veterans and their families. We fulfill our mission throughout the year, but the holidays provide a special essence that cannot be denied!  Approaching the new year, let's embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with enthusiasm and determination. Wishing you all a prosperous 2025 filled with abundance, joy, and success. May this season bring peace, joy, and renewed hope to all! Let us honor the past, cherish the present, and look forward to a future filled with promise and possibility.

Teviah

teviah.gilliard@yahoo.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Happy December everyone. As I was going through our old files, I came across this little poem from the 1947 convention minutes titled "KILL A RUMOR ON THE SPOT"

Kill a rumor on the spot,

Let it die and be forgot.

If you scorn to pass it on

It will soon be dead and gone;

Be polite, but be discreet,

Ugly stories don't repeat.

If it's whispered unto you

You can bet it isn't true.

To be silent, very wise;

Unrepeated, rumor dies.

If it's vicious, if it's vile,

Think it over for a while....

And then KILL IT! Be the one

Much too smart to pass it on.

I'm hoping you may be thinking about the position of National Secretary and would love to take over next year. If you have questions, please ask either Teviah or me about it.

Rebates are done and going out...GREAT JOB National Treasurer Tracy.

I would like to let you know that I will not be available from January 3 to January 14. Mike and I are taking our first real vacation in 15 years. I'll tell you all about it when we return.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year...however you celebrate the holiday season, may it be filled with love and joy.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS...

Judy

mophauxsec@gmail.com

330-880-3364

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

Linda Varejcka

The True Meaning of Stress 

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate questions, 'half empty or half full?'...she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water? She inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz..

She replied "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance! In each case, it's the same weight - but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes". She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on".

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night....pick them up tomorrow. 

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment, relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it, and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!" 

1. Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4. Drive carefully...lt's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
6. If I lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8. Never buy a car you can't push. 
9. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.      
11. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12. The second mouse gets the cheese. 
13. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you Iive.
15. You may be only one person in the world, but you mav also be the world to one person.
16. Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17. We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19. Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today. It was I, your friend!
20. Save the earth...lt's the only planet with chocolate!!!

National Communications Officer

Amanda Flener, PNP

Send in your photos of holiday activities to AFlener1@gmail.com

We love to share your submissions with our followers!

Want to check out our Facebook page? Visit:

www.facebook.com/MOPHAuxiliary



Amanda

AFlener1@gmail.com

National Region 1, 6 Liaison

Terri Shattuck

Great Job on Helping our Veterans during the season of giving!

Pictured is Unit 385's Kim Chamberlain in Redding California's Veterans Cemetery honoring her late husband Paul, a Korea war veteran.

Terri

BTShattuck@gmail.com

National Region 2 President

Linda Bellis

Thank you to all that attended the first monthly Region 2 Zoom Meeting that was held on December 7th.

Future Region 2 Zoom Meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of each month unless otherwise notified.

Pictured is National Secretary, Judy Fiddler, of the Department of Ohio. They purchased $1,500.00 worth of Christmas presents for Military families in northeast Ohio. Everything from stuffed animals, board games, STEM project kits, Lego and crafting kits were delivered to SAM (Serving Area Military) Center in Massillon, Ohio.

Linda "Bellis"

lbellis719@msn.com

National Region 3 Liaison

Patricia Hail

Greetings from Region 3

Pearl Harbor Recognition Day was celebrated in Hawaii on December 7th. National President, Fran Holtgreven represented us during the event and was able to meet and chat with real-life Rosies! Thank you, Fran!

Patricia

BlindMarine@outlook.com

National Region 4 President

Kay Jo Baucom, PNP

News from Region 4:

Some of the busiest days of the year are upon us - parties, special programs and family gatherings-and yet for many, these are some of the loneliest days. Those experiencing grief, isolation or depression may find themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the holiday season, but they have little to celebrate. Region 4 units, departments and individual members are doing their best possible to be true examples of kindness as they work tirelessly to share “glad tidings” with those often overlooked, who are veterans and their families.

Caregivers tend to care, not only for their designated person, but those nearby that deserve a kind word as well. Homeless veterans are provided with blessing bags that are filled with essential items as well as given hot meals and small gifts. Homebound patriots receive “check in” calls, cards and many times short visits. Expectant mothers are gifted with nursery and infant items and young children get to experience a visit from Santa and his elves . Service men and women, base bound, are given a surprise visit from Mrs. Claus and a stocking that is bursting with treats and care items. Those patriots who reside in long term care facilities are provided with personal care items, small treats and personal phone call or visits.

Within our auxiliary family, no one is forgotten, and kindness is shown to all we encounter. Region 4 is showing others, who may feel unloved and overlooked, that we care and appreciate service given. May each of our MOPH family find peace and comfort, love and joy during the days ahead and may our actions show others what love looks like today! God bless us everyone!

Kay Jo

President Region 4 and proud to be a part of this great organization!

KarebBaucom8@gmail.com

National Region 5 President

Doris Williams

Greetings from Region V

The City of Mabank, Texas was designated as a Purple Heart City at the council meeting held on December 10, 2024. A sign was presented to the city by Mr Ben Pate, of Caring For America in Henderson County, Texas and Lisa Lunkwicz. Chapter 1513 Associate Member. Several veterans were in attendance for the ceremony and celebration.

Doris

region5mophaux@gmail.com

National Treasurer

Tracy Derr

A friendly reminder that all Departments and Regions that were in compliance of all forms and deadlines will be receiving a rebate check. These funds may be used in anyway your Unit or Department wishes to use them.

More info will be discussed on our Zoom meeting, or reach out to your region representative.

Tracy

MOPHAtreas2021@gmail.com

National Chaplain

Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP

SEASON OF JOY AND LOVE

Season Greetings and Blessings. Yep! While continuing in the season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to enter into best season.  We have arrived –we are here-we are so greatly blessed to be here to see, receive, feel and share/spread the spirit of JOY and LOVE! WELCOME to the greatest celebration season-CHRIST MAS! The word that is being spoken, heard, and/or seen especially during this holiday season. I have chosen to use JOY and LOVE words as two of the “every day” occurrences in our lives when we really think about it, accept it, and choose it. I know that it’s quite challenging to do this when we view the world through our human eyes and all of this year’s past events, but God’s Holy Word tells us that because He is Great, Powerful and His Understanding is beyond measure, He does not see the world as man does-He’s Omniscient. Furthermore, think about this, HE is JOY and LOVE (comes from God Rom 5:5):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …” John 3:16

We entered the four weeks (Sundays) of Advent season in preparation for the Nativity emphasizing hope peace, JOY and LOVE through prayer, meditation, and/or Bible with family and friends by some folks prior to Christmas holiday. Others celebrated Hanukkah for 8 days; while yet, others observe Kwanzaa for 7 days. I mention these because there are some unique principles shared by all three events-holiday CELEBRATION. Yet, others celebrate without it being a specific day or holiday just whatever their cultural experience is to celebrate.

Monthly Observances for December  

Art and Architecture Month

Bingo Month

Egg Nog Month

Gift of Sight Month

Learn a Foreign Language Month                 

Made in America Month  

Month of Giving

National Cat Lovers’ Month

National Human Rights Month

National Pear Month

National Tie Month

Operation Santa Paw (Dec. 1-24)

Read a New Book Month 

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Universal Human Rights Month               

Write a Friend Month

Worldwide Food Service Safety Month

Weekly Events for December 

National Cookie Cutter Week (December 1-7)

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week (December 1-7)

Computer Science Education Week (December 6-12)

Las Posadas (December 16-24) National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 6-12) 

National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 5-11) 

Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 5)

Hanukkah (December 25-January 2)

Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1)

DAILY 

Celebrate the gift of Christ mas; let’s remember to pray. Pray for others and one another in love. This demonstrates a kind heart and an attitude of gratitude; and we’ll all be prayed for. As extraordinary as we are, let us continue a “Season of Prayer.” Prayer for family & children, friends, neighbors, religious leaders, educators, government and those in authority, the weak and sick, care givers and front line workers, law enforcement, the world and self.

Continuing in God’s blessings of grace and mercy, joy, peace, hope love, faith, forgiveness, safety and prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

May you and your families and friends have a warm, safe and Merriest Christ mas celebration with glorious music and great times of family fellowship with good eats, songs, fun and songs of worship in JOY and LOVE!

O Come All Ye Faithful - It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Angels We Have Heard on High - The First Noel - White Christmas - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - O Holy Night!

JOY TO THE WORLD