National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Happy Spring to Everyone:

I see buds of daffodils and crocus popping through the winter debris, so I know that spring is just around the corner.

It is that time of year to install your officers and submit your yearly Installation report to me as soon as possible (NO LATER THAN MAY 31). I will send an acknowledgement that I received it. If you do not receive the acknowledgement, then consider your report NOT RECEIVED and get it in. This starts the process for rebates. Because the National Convention is in the middle of July, I would appreciate your getting your reports in as soon as possible. All other reports, except your Life Member Verification, 990 and Finance, are due to the respective Chairperson BY MAY 15. That allows the Chair to compile the reports received and submit them in the allotted time to National. Information for the National Convention in Reno, Nevada will soon be on our website. Go to PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org and you can make your hotel reservations by clicking on the link.

We are still looking for someone to replace me when I retire. Please consider it and let either me or President Fran know…time is running down fast.

Wishing you a great Spring…Judy

Judy

mophauxsec@gmail.com

330-880-3364

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

Linda Varejcka

I know that when I say May 1st, it sound so far in the distance, but it will be here in a blink of an eye. Instead of looking for shamrocks we will be looking for spring flowers and May baskets. May 1st is the deadline for the chairperson's report to the National Chairperson. In order for the National Chairperson to compile a report for the National Convention booklet, we really must have the information.  Many of the units/departments don't have an Americanism chairperson, BUT I know that the unit/department is doing something. This report does not have to be filled out by a Chairman but anyone can fill it out. The Americanism report is on a sheet with 2 other reports, not much space, but please feel free to write me a full page narrative of everything you have done. I know you do the Pledge and have a formal opening, but I am really interested in your activities, that I can share and give others suggestions, or maybe you have a picture, please add. Describe how the unit/department participates in Americanism, Patriotic programs, Patriotic Holidays, Purple Heart Day, in the community and schools. What patriotic material do you distribute: Flag etiquette, Flags, U.S. Constitution, Purple Heart, other things patriotic to schools and your community. Don't just say nothing. I know better.

Your reports/narrative can be sent to me: Linda Varejcka - 450 Conestoga Ave. - Hickman NE 68372 or jfvarejcka@windstream.net. IF you do use the report as found on our Web and you include the History and Publicity report you can be assured I will forward those reports to the appropriate person. It is so VERY important that we get these reports from EVERYONE. (I know I don't enjoy filling out reports either) but this way I can let the MOPH leadership know how active and important our Auxiliary is. PS the same go's for the VAVS report that is also due May 1st. Even if you do not have a VAVS rep/dep. I need to know who is volunteering and what you are doing in the way of donations to our facilities. Numbers do speak! Be proud of what each and everyone of your members do, shout it out! I'll be waiting to be flooded with reports this year.

National MOPH Chaplain

Carlton Cannon

WOMENS HISTORY MONTH

The Military Order Purple Heart, USA honors our distinguished Combat Wounded women Veterans for your dedicated service, courage and inspirational leadership. We don’t tend to think of Bible women playing a role in wars, and yet the Old Testament

includes plenty examples of female spies, allies and warriors; ordinary women who performed extraordinary feats in times of war. Almighty GOD used them to advance HIS Kingdom! “The Lord gives the word, and the women who announce the news are a great host.” (Psalm 68:11- ESV). The Bible is full of female war heroes! I have selected Rahab, Deborah and Jael for this reading. First there was Rahab, who lived alongside the wall of Jericho; a prostitute who took in the

Hebrew spies, hide them from the men from town and helped them escape to safety. Then we have Deborah, the judge and prophetess who lead the Israelites during battle against the Canaanite forces. In spite of Barak, she is the only female military leader in the Bible who lead the armies of Israel to victory. She was minding her own business, serving as judge in her front yard, when GOD gave her a message for Barak, commander of the army. Now, GOD had already given the message to Barak, but he hadn’t obeyed. GOD used Deborah to nudge him along. But what did he do?! He said he would only go to battle if Deborah went with him. Imagine! I suspect that most women would have rolled their eyes at him and gone on with their lives, but not Deborah. She traveled the 70 miles to the battlefield to support the 10,000 soldiers. GOD intervened, sending a massive hail storm, allowing the Israelites to defeat their enemies except for Sisera, the general and enemy leader. And that is where Jael came in. She was another housewife hanging out at home when Sisera fled for safety and passed by her house. She invited him in, made him comfortable, then put her enemy to death by driving a tent peg through his head. Each of these women had to do some quick thinking and none could have foreseen the impact that their actions would have. They were impulsive and had to think outside the box. They were acting in the moment, clueless to the long term results. NO ONE knows this any better than Combat Wounded Veterans! To all Women Veterans, We Salute You for your EXEMPLARY SERVICE to both GOD and Country! “Together we will “GIT’er Done for HIS SAKE!”

National Chaplain Carlton Cannon

Military Order Purple Heart, USA

National Region 2 President

Linda Bellis

I can't believe March is almost done. In Minneapolis we have had little to no snow. Up north has had a lot, so it feels like we never had winter. I've heard from a lot of units about what they are doing. Shopping for food banks, items for nursing homes and hospitals. Evan buying house hold goods to fill apartments. Going to nursing homes and playing bingo. Thanks to those of you who did the grants that are offered from MOPHA. I'm so proud of this region.  Alot of departments are getting ready to plan for their spring meetings. Please remind everyone the due dates for the required forms. Some are due May 1st. Go to the MOPHA Forms website to check it out. Don't use your own designed forms, we have to use the forms that they provide for us. Everyone keep up the good work with our veterans. Please hand out the fund-raising form at you unit and department meetings. Remember to hand it out to the patriots to help us out . This is so much fun. I will be sending in my check. May we have the luck of the Irish. Happy St. Paddies day. May we all fill a pot of gold for the general fund.  

Linda "Bellis"

lbellis719@msn.com

National Region 5 President

Doris Williams

Greetings from Region V

Sent in from Louisiana: In honor of national Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Department of Louisiana was granted a $2,000 CDCE in order to purchase a wireless, handheld ultrasound machine to be used in the "Operation Bootstrap" Traumatic Brain Injury Program for Veterans. The presentation will be held in April but we wanted to share the news in March due to it being Brain Injury Awareness Month. Over the last three years, nearly 70 Purple Heart recipients have graduated from the three-week program at no cost to them. The program at Tulane University is full, however there are several other sites that are accepting Purple Heart Recipients including the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Aurora, Colorado. Other locations are: Medical College of Wisconsin BRAVE Program in Milwaukee, WI, Moss Rehab Institute for Brain Health Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, PA, Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative in Atlanta, GA, University of Florida Health Jacksonville Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., Brain Wellness Program in Jacksonville, FL, and UNC Chapel Hill THRIVE Program in Chapel Hill, NC, More information can be found at www.avalonactionalliance.org.

CDCE FUNDS ARE SAVING LIVES!

Consider requesting funding for a Veterans Project! Grants up to $2,000 are available to Units and Departments to help enhance the lives of our nation's Heroes. If the project costs more than the allotted funds, perhaps your Patriot's Chapter will help offset the costs like Louisiana has done with this $5,000 ultrasound machine that will be used in the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans Clinic.

National Region 4 President

Kay Jo Baucom, PNP

Have you ever considered the multiple meanings of the word care? It’s a little word with big impact- especially when you relate it to the military! 

Caring implies a sense of understanding, compassion and respect. It can mean that one individual is looking after another- no one alone, no one left behind or “I got your back” . It also can mean “I know what you’re going through” and I understand as much as I can. Caring conveys that I respect who you are- your race, gender, religion, culture, and views- and we may not agree on everything, but I accept that we have different views.

To mix these meanings of the word care with the military mindset seems almost unbelievable, and yet the members of our Armed Forces exemplify caring in every sense of the word. To serve means that the individual in the military cared about the country they were born in, their families and the community they reside in and they took an oath to preserve the freedoms in place.

 Being a member of the Armed Forces, one understands the words respect and honor. These two terms are of utmost importance to the band of brothers and sisters that serve together. Not only are they taught to honor and respect others, it is the code by which they live- when serving, on duty or off, and that code continues long after they are discharged. 

Perhaps the greatest example of caring for others comes when a comrade is in distress or dies. It is then that the extraordinary compassion shows itself. No matter if the comrade is an old friend, an acquaintance, or someone not known, when there is a need to support, console, carry or bury, those “brothers in arms” stand together. It is with dignity that the military stands at attention and salutes the United States flag. It is with pride that they say the pledge of allegiance, and it is with honor and respect that a deceased comrade is provided an honor guard, a twenty-one-gun salute, a folded flag that adorned the casket, and the playing of taps.  

It is the veteran that never takes for granted the service and sacrifice given by a fellow comrade. Caring for one another is an unwritten rule and military families regularly demonstrate this trait. 

Mentally and physically, veterans personify the “tough man” image, and yet, the heart of a veteran oozes care and compassion.

So, the next time you are thinking about people that truly care about others, put the men and women of the military at the top of the list. If we all carried that mindset, what a different world it would be!



Kay Jo

National Region 4 President

KarenBaucom8@gmail.com