MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, May 18, 2023

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

All Members, Patriots, and Guests Welcome

-SPECIAL SPEAKER-

LOGIN ONLINE: https://zoom.us/j/4981732263

Meeting Code - 2020

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

Enter this Meeting ID: 4981 732 263

National President

Kay Jo Baucom

Memories, Moms, & Military

The month of May evokes memories of many varieties but particularly those involving Memorial Day, moms and the military. Let me share just some thoughts about each of these things.

May is the time of year that we remember the fallen heroes- Memorial Day. Those men and women who, out of love of country more than self, gave the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a grateful nation and grieving family and friends. Covers of periodicals are adorned with pictures of cemeteries across the country, grave markers and the flag of the United States of America. It is a period of patriotism born of the tragic demise of our bravest military personnel. For many, these heroes are put “ on the back burner”- not fully forgotten, but the holiday of Memorial Day is foremost on the minds of those enjoying cookouts, swimming, and slices of apple pie at outdoor picnics. Flags are displayed, patriotic music is heard over loud speakers and the nation’s capital is flooded with activities . For America’s military families it is - at least for a little while- a time to pause and remember those who gave up their tomorrows, that we could have today. Those who were left with an empty chair at the family table, have time to reminisce and share fond memories of those departed. Memorial Day is one day set aside to remember the sacrifices and honor the service given. Pause and remember. Then live in such a way that honors the sacrifices.

Mother’s Day is a reminder of that individual whose sole purpose was and is to live devoted to the care of a child or children. These children may be of natural bloodline or not. They may not know the mother who gave them birth but have the gift of a mother who gave them a life of love. Mothers carry the responsibility of nurturing, teaching, disciplining, nursing, guiding, comforting… the list seems endless, and yet the best mothers do all these things automatically. When the child or children hurt, mother does as well. Mother’s Day is one day set aside to honor all those who carry the title mother. Every day is the time to cherish who that person is and the difference that individual makes in the lives touched. Mom is a cherished title!

May is a month designated as military appreciation month. We, as citizens of United States of America, can be proud of our military heritage and support those serving today. Veterans of all ages band together in service and we as a grateful nation honor the service that was given and continues to be given today. Thank all who are serving , salute those who have served and teach respect and honor to our future generations. Through us, they must learn of the past sacrifices, the present service and challenges, and the future standards to be preserved. Recite the pledge of allegiance and sing- knowing the correct words- the Star spangled banner. There really is something special about a man or woman in uniform!! God bless each one!!! Recognizing military spouses is important too, because the spouse is the support and backbone of the family when military personnel are deployed . It is the spouse who keeps the home fires burning and shoulders the responsibilities of both parents. Upon the return of that loved one, the spouse eases that person back into the role of parent or partner. Always being the listening ear and comforting support. Thank goodness , spouses are recognized for their important role as well.

Yes, May is a time for memories, mom, and our military . I hold each of these close in my heart and forever in my prayers. 

Kay Jo

karenbaucom8@gmail.com

National Senior Vice President

Barbara Hale Ray

7VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement

The CDCE / Veterans Administration held its 77th Annual VA Volunteer Service here in Denver (April 26-28, 2023). I had the opportunity to meet several volunteers, Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Director of the VACDCE as well as other staff members from the Denver area. I was introduced to speaker Dr. Sabrina C. Clark, Ph.D., ACHE, Director, for the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement. Sabrina as she is called issued in her annual report about

the pleasure of serving the Nation’s Veterans through the commitment of Volunteers, Service Organizations and Community Partners.

The VA has been slow to allow many volunteers to return to duty because of the pandemic. Other Health facilities on the other hand have opened their doors and volunteers are once again

welcome.

Some of the programs established for our Veterans and Volunteers are:

Health Care Talent Academy:

and Benefits improvement Act of 2020 introduced the HCTA pilot program which is designed to

increased awareness, knowledge, and empathy of future health professions toward the

health conditions common to Veterans. The goal of the HCTA is to create a diverse workforce across the health care industry by partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the U.S. to give students interested in health professions to observe heath professions in clinical

settings.

Student Leadership Council:

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) is an all-volunteer national development Centers

benefiting over 1,000 individuals.

National Advisory Committee:

The National Advisory Committee The National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Department of Veteran Affairs was established by VA Circular 117, May 17, 1947, and became a fully charted 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, assist in recruitment and orientation of volunteers, and keep the officers informed of the volunteer needs and accomplishments,

Compassionate Contact Corps:

The Compassionate Contact Corps is a virtual social prescription program where trained volunteers are matched with Veterans experiencing loneliness or are socially isolated. The volunteer typically calls the Veteran weekly for 15-60 minutes to provide socialization and companionship via the phone or video.

Food Banks:

Covid-19 was been a challenge for all, especially Veterans. Many Veterans relied on the VA to support them with supplemental food. VA CDCE across the country facilitated or supported various mobile food banks, food pantries to address the need.

Feds Feed Families:

This was a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies.

Volunteer Transportation Network:

The Volunteer Transportation Network in cooperation with the Disabled American Veterans, transports Veterans to their appointments via Volunteer Drivers. The Disabled American Veterans donated 53 Vehicles to the Veteran Administration across the nation.

Veteran History Project:

The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand collection of a Veteran recounting his or her service from World War I through more recent conflicts. A series of questions are presented to The Veteran Records in his own words his Firsthand Memories of what he saw and how he felt during this period in history.

How to Create a Caregiver Friendly Volunteer Opportunity:

This workshop covered creating a caregiver friendly volunteer opportunity, partnering

with organizations on caregiver support, core competencies of caregiver peer support

training and the differences between in person and virtual caregiver volunteers. The

workshop also included a demonstration of the Red Cross Military and Veterans

Caregivers Network.

Suicide Prevention and S.A.V.E. training:

This program was developed by PsychArmor, in collaboration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This workshop presented a general understanding of the problem of suicide in the United States. It addresses how to identify a Veteran who may be at risk and teaches what can be done to do to help.

Creative Arts: Adapting, Adopting and Succeeding:

The VA offers Veterans comprehensive creative arts therapy utilizing different modalities and evidence based clinical treatment interventions to promote recovery, rehabilitation and wellness. During the session it was shown how Creative Arts Therapists may adapt and adopt methods to promote the highest success for Veterans. The most interesting part of the convention was the talk about Whole Health. Whole Health is VA’s approach to care that supports your health and well being. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means that your health care team will get to know you as a person before working with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs and goals.

Whole Health:

Whole Health is Physical, Behavioral, Spiritual, and Socioeconomic Well-Being as defined by Individuals, Families, and Communities. Whole health care is an interprofessional team-based approach anchored in trusted relationships to promote well-being, prevent disease, and restore health.

What are the 4 components of Whole Health?

The Circle of Health has 4 key elements:

• Me. The equation begins with you, the “Me” at the center. ...
• Self Care. Each of us has the power to impact our well-being. ...
• Professional Care. Your health team is there to help with the prevention and treatment of disease and illness through: ...
• Community.

Me: The innermost circle represents each of us as unique individuals. We start at the

middle saying, "I am the expert on my life, values, goals, and priorities. Only I can

know WHY I want my health. Only I can know what really matters to ME. And this

knowledge needs to be what drives my health and well-being. I am the leader of my

team, and my medical team professionals are some of the invited players."

Self Care: Each of us has the power to impact our well-being. Whole Health offers the skills and

support you need to make the changes you want. The areas of self-care include:

 Me Food & Drink

 Mindful Awareness Recharge

 Moving the Body Family, Friends & Co-workers

 Surroundings Spirit & Soul

 Personal Development Power of the Mind

Professional Care

 The health team will help with the prevention and treatment of disease and illness through:

 Preventive and conventional care: immunizations, medicines, and other clinical care.

 Complementary medicine and care: acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and more.

Community

Just as there is a “Me” at the center of the circle, there is a “We” that enfolds it. Your community is more than the places where you live, work, and worship. It includes all the people and groups you connect with—those you rely on and those who rely on you.

Through research I found that there is a Whole Heath Center in Lone Tree, CO and Highlands Ranch. There you will also find a Whole Health Club for a One Stop Shop for Fitness, Nutrition, and Mental Wellbeing.

BarbaraR.MOPHA@gmail.com

NOTE from Webmaster, more on these amazing "ways to heal" will be discussed at the National Convention.

National Junior Vice President

Fran Holtgreven

While attending your Unit and Department meeting, think of helping with the

National Ways and Means events that will be held at the National Convention, to

be held August 14-18, 2023, in Baton Rouge LA, by a “donation-in-kind” gift card.

Please remember that Patriots and Auxiliary members will be from all areas of the

United States. Tickets will be sold, and a ticket will be put in a container for the

gift card that the ticket holder would like to win. If you will not be able to attend,

please send gift cards to me or with a member who is attending.

Also, remember to be looking for those dollar bills with the “A” for Auxiliary and “L” for love our Veterans. Keep track of how many you have collected and send a check to Tracy Derr, National Treasurer or bring a check with you to the convention. A prize will be given to the Individual, Unit and Department who has collected the most “A” and “L” bills.

Bring all the jewelry that you have collected while cleaning out your jewelry box to Miss Bling Blings jewelry table.

Something new this year is a Money Jar instead of a 50/50 raffle. I decided to have a Money Jar in memory of my father, who was a WWII Veteran, he always had a jar filled with bills, coins, objects and other surprises that our family would look forward to at Christmas. Tickets will be available for purchase and the winner will be drawn at the gala. Two jars will be available to place tickets in.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Conventions are almost over and your Units/Departments are due no later than May 31, 2021. If submitted by email, I go by the date I receive it. If it is mailed, then I use the postmark. This is the first of your requirements to be eligible for a rebate.

If you have someone planning to attend the National Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, be sure to fill out a DELEGATE/ALTERNATE form (found online or by clicking HERE) so your representative will be able to vote your Unit strength. They are due by June 30. In some cases, the form can be brought with the Delegate/Alternate to convention for the Credentials Committee. Only those whose Unit has sent in an Installation Report on time are allowed to vote.

Lastly…if anyone is wishing to run for an office at National…a LETTER OF INTENT must be turned in by May 31. This helps with the convention planning for time needed during nominations. Mention your qualifications and “that if elected, it would be your honor to serve”.

If Units or Departments wish to submit a Bylaws or standing rules resolution, it must be turned in to me no later than May 31st.

Thanks everyone for the support of our Veterans.

Judy

MOPHAUXSEC@Gmail.com

National Chaplain

Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

Greetings and Praise the Lord!

Each month we move forward into is definitely by God’s grace brings hope I believe according to one’s own faith. And if you’re reading this I say you are a blessed woman by God our Father and welcome to May.

In Memoriam and Sympathy for Bereaved Families

(Always sad to share but never too late to send card)

*Susann Leemon MI Unit 1985 (2/3/23) *Sharon Damron MI Unit 31 (2/18/23)

*Avis Vessy MN Unit 268 (4/18/15) *Jan E. Preister NE Unit 200 (10/2/19 )

*Janice Nicholas NE Unit 200 (8/12/22)

Please pray for both known and unknown:

Sick ‘n Shut In Thinking of You Prayers for Other Needs/Concerns Anonymous/Unspoken

Prayer Requests: Health, family, finances, other unspoken matters May Birthdays: Happy, Happy Birthday to all of May Birthday Celebrants! May the good Lord keep on blessing you with many more birthdays to come with abundant favor and the desires of your hearts.

Chaplain’s Zoom: Looking forward to see you on the bi-monthly Chaplain’s Zoom on Thursday, 25 May 2023, at 7 p.m. CST. Have some new ideas to share with you to consider. Kind reminder, reports are due. I’m still working on mine-just to let you know.

Yep! Springs is really in full bloom. Have you seen those beautiful colored flowers? Heard those beautiful sounds of the birds? Annoyed by some of those flying bugs? Allergies?-sorry. All a part of God’s beautiful creation and I’m so thankful you and I are included it as well. Speaking of being included, a shout out to all of our Mothers including our proxy Moms on this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day-HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! You are all one-of-a-kind, including those Dads who fall under the proxy moms. Now we all know that it is a 365 +1 year round livelihood, right? And, that doesn’t end when we arrive at the “empty nest stage?” - I know you knew that (laughing out loud) and just wanted to share a reading that I came across as I went through some “old” readings that you may

already be familiar with:

Mean Mother

A mean mother never allows candy or sweets

To take the place of a well-balanced meal.

A mean mother insist on knowing

Where her children are at all times,

Who their friends are and what they do.

A mean mother breaks the child labor law

By making her children work…

Washing dishes, making beds, learning

to cook, and doing other chores.

A mean mother makes life miserable for her offspring

By insisting that they always tell the truth.

A mean mother produces teenagers

Who are wiser and more sensible.

A mean mother can smile with secret delight

And pride when she hears her own

Grandchildren call their parents “mean.”

What the world need now are more “Mean Mothers.”

Things that makes you go hmmm-mmm. Have a delightfully blessed Mother’s Day!

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28

Please join in prayer:

Heavenly Loving Father God,

In reverence and humility, we come before Your throne of grace and mercy with praise, honor and glory and thanksgiving to You. Thank You Lord for being our source, our refuge, our strength. Thank You Lord that in Your Holy Word and each other we can find reassurance, comfort, hope and we by fixing our eyes and ears upon You, trusting You and leaning not to our own understanding but through our Savior.

Have mercy upon us Lord as we seek Your face, humble ourselves before You; teach us Lord and continue to guide us showing us what is good as You are and what You have required us to do-to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You, and as we ask for forgiveness, thank You Father for Your guidance. We lift up unto You Lord the thousands who have been affected by the seeming like ongoing environmental, atmospheric changes all over the world and of their creating many needs and concerns to be met. Lord God, please protect those who are providing assistance-keep them safe. Bless those who are mourning personal losses and for those you know each by name Lord; and for the ongoing increase of lives that belongs to you being taken by someone else’s decision and the many crimes against each other- Have mercy Father; we ask You to strengthen families (us) and be their (our) rock as they (we) continue in hope and faith in You Lord. Help us Father to love and forgive others as we would want and as You love and forgive us beyond measure. Grant us Father also please, an extra measure of patience as we go through the different processes of changes and issues in this life. We ask for You to continue to bless our Auxiliary as we move forward in planning our 90 th National Convention. Lastly Lord, for now, bless all of our mothers biological and those who have stepped in/up to the plate as proxy moms, past-(those gone before us) or present (those who remains with us) to fulfill the role You designated as such to be Your sweet hands and feet of those special moments between Heaven and Earth. We ask that You, our Advocate, will be with our mothers of today as they rear their (our) children in today’s society to lean on You and not their own understanding for courage, wisdom, knowledge, and strength with the challenges and difficulties faced. And we ask the same for those of us who are the mothers of those mothers whom you still have here to provide that support and legacy that we can lead them into the path of Your righteousness, even if we are thought of as being a mean mother/grandmother (doing in love), by faith- thank YOU. We Thank You for hearing our prayers and meeting us at our needs and concerns according to Your purpose. Thank You for Your power and Your immeasurably love, Your sweet, amazing grace and mercy that endures forever, we declare in Your Holy Name. AMEN!

Stay beautiful, have fun, stay safe and stay blessed!

Humbly and In HIS Love,

Gwendolyn

National MOPHA Chaplain

Numbers 6:24-26

Chaplain.mopha@gmail.com

Chaplain Gilliard's Chaplain's Chat will take place on Thursday May 25, 2023 at 7PM CST. For more info, contact Chaplain Gwen at Chaplain.MOPHA@Gmail.com

To read Chaplain's Gwendolyn's Memorial Day Observation, click Here: Please share it with your fellow members.

National Sgt at Arms, Co-Americanism Officer, & VAVS Representative

Linda Varejcka

A special message from Linda:

"I have poppies growing in my garden. Picture attached of a couple open ones. Winds have been terrible and they are so fragile, but beautiful blowing in the breeze. This time of year reminds me of "Flanders Field""

Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly,

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie 

In Flanders field.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If you break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

in Flanders fields.

• John McCrae

Yours in Patriotism,

Linda

jfvarejcka@windstream.net

National Historian / Co-Americanism Officer

Joyce Dalton

If you have jewelry that you no longer need or want, consider donating it to our Ways & Means committee. Joyce "Mrs Bling", will be collecting items to help VP Fran with Ways & Means. How fun it will be to find treasures (and have a wonderful memento from our convention).

AND..... A friendly reminder to send Joyce any photos you would like to add in President Baucom's memory book,

Regular mail: Joyce Dalton   1415 4th Street   Pleasanton, Texas 78064

 “ IT’S OUR TIME” 

Joyce



jdalton8315@gmaill.com

Region 5 President

Eileen Oltmann, PNP

A friendly reminder that Installation Reports, ByLaws or Standing Rules Resolutions, or Candidacy Announcements are due on May 31st. Please reach out to me if you need help.

I will be retiring from the Region V Presidency. If you are interested in becoming the Region V President, please contact me and I will share what it entails. The Region V President should live in Region 5 and have a heart of service. The 2023-2024 leadership team will help you learn and grow into a great officer.

For those who would like to purchase 2023 National Convention Pins, Coins, or Register or the National Convention, visit: CONVENTION | MOPHA (purpleheartauxiliary.org)

Eileen

Teasippinlady@yahoo.com

Region 2 President

Karen Larabel

Greetings Region 2 – The Installation Reports are rolling in this month which are due May 31. I would like to congratulate all the newly elected MOPHA Officers and appointed members to positions in their Department and Units. A productive and exciting year awaits us all.

Now is the time to begin reading or rereading your CBL and become familiar with each section:

PART I - CONSTITUTION

PART II – BYLAWS

PART III – RITUAL & SPECIAL CEREMONIES

PART IV – STANDING RULES

PART V – PROCEDURES MANUAL.

If you do not have a copy, one can be ordered for $13. Contact our National Secretary, Judy Fiddler at mophauxsec@gmail.com.

I would like to remember and honor a Past Department President of Michigan, Roberta Eaton, who died Monday, May 8. Our times together with Roberta and her husband were precious.

Memories are a gift from God.

On 15 May 1942, a bill establishing a women's corps in the US Army became law, creating the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAACs) and granting women official military status.

The WAACs gained official status and salary—but still not all the benefits accorded to men. Thousands of women enlisted in light of this new legislation, and in July 1942, the "auxiliary" was dropped from the name, and the Women's Army Corps, or WACs, received full Army benefits in keeping with their male counterparts. The WACs performed a wide variety of jobs, "releasing a man for combat," as the Army, sensitive to public misgivings about women in the military, touted. But those jobs ranged from clerk to radio operator, electrician to air-traffic controller. Women served in virtually every theater of engagement, from North Africa to Asia.

See you at our MOPHA National Convention in Baton Rouge, LA August 14-18, 2023.

Karen

kslarabel1@sbcglobal.net 

Region 1, 3, and 6 Liaison

Terri Shattuck

Past National Chaplain Barbara Waller from California sent us wonderful photos of Auxiliary Members attending the Patriots' Department meeting.

If you have photos you wish to share, send them to us at webmaster.MOPHA@Gmail.com.

To submit them to the National Magazine, send them directly to ThePHMagazine@Gmail.com

Terri

BTShattuck@gmail.com

2023 National Convention will be held August 14-August 18th. Our elections will take place on Thursday August 17th and a reception-style party entitled "The Louisiana Experience" will take place on Thursday evening. Meetings for the Patriots will be completed on Friday Morning August 18th. Be sure to extend your stay until Friday August 18th. We will be hosting a resource fair filled with informative information, classes, and seminars that will enhance your life and the lives of our beloved Veterans.

Click HERE to view the March - April edition of the Purple Heart Magazine

REGISTER HERE:

If you have some one planning to attend the National Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, be sure to fill out a DELEGATE/ALTERNATE form (found online or by clicking HERE) so your representative will be able to vote your Unit strength. They are due by June 30. In some cases, the form can be brought with the Delegate/Alternate to convention for the Credentials Committee.

Do you have questions, suggestions or comments about the convention? Ask or share them here:

Information about convention advertising can be found by visiting the Dept of Louisiana's website at www.MOPHLA.org/conventionads.

CLICK HERE to shop online and support our Auxiliary.

Rada has amazing cutlery and items that would be perfect in your kitchen or to give as a gift.