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Dept. of Florida President and Symposium Host
Betty Brunton
The First National Symposium of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary has drawn to a close. My hope is that you enjoyed our time together as much as I did. The Symposium was a more casual event than a Convention, allowing for increased time to meet other Auxiliary Members, make new friends, and reignite existing friendships.
On behalf of the Department of Florida Auxiliary, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Barbara Hale-Ray and the entire National Staff for helping make the Symposium a true success. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Colleen Orfanello for being our “Master of Ceremonies” throughout the Symposium. She is truly a supporter of our Veterans and of every member of the Auxiliary. Without here help, we could not have accomplished all we did. Thank you Colleen!
For those unable to attend, here’s a summary of the events. Following an opening ceremony and remarks from President Barbara Hale-Ray, our National Web-Master and Past National President, Colleen Orfanello, led us in a craft project utilizing oyster shells. When finished we had created beautiful shells that will be a wonderful remembrance of the trip. Colleen also helped us each make a rice therapy bag that we can use to ease the tensions in our sore shoulders! She provided the fabric, the rice, and the sewing machine to put them together!
The number one mission of the Auxiliary is to support our Veterans. To that end, Auxiliary members put together 75 backpacks filled with basic necessities like socks, chap-stick, deodorant, combs, rain ponchos, etc. The backpacks will be distributed to homeless Veterans in the Orlando area. It warms our hearts to know we have helped make the day brighter for the recipients. Thank you Kay Jo Baucom for arranging to get the supplies and backpacks to the Symposium.
Fellow Auxiliary Member, Christine Day, presented two educational seminars during the course of the Symposium. The first was on personality styles, and how understanding our own style as well as those of the people we interact with, can help us achieve our goals more successfully. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit this website: True Colours (my-personality-test.com) or one of the many other sites offering the test. No surprise to anyone, many of us were predominantly blue with Gold as our secondary color!
Christine’s second seminar was on Divergent and Convergent Thinking. We all know when a problem is identified there are those that want to go right to what they feel is the solution – with no thought of how to get there. By using Divergent Thinking, we go through a process of free-flowing brainstorming to explore and create all kinds of options. Once we complete that process, we move to Convergent Thinking, which is more focused and analytical, helping us narrow down and evaluate the options we brainstormed. Ultimately, the process will help ensure the most appropriate solution.
If team members understand each other’s True Colors, they will be much more effective when going though Divergent and Convergent Thinking. Everyone will better understand why others may respond so differently to the same questions or problems!
Our most relaxing moments were those during our Self Care Workshop presented by Leia Perez of Wedding Wish by CandyLand Designs. We learned to meditate by focusing on our breathing and by relaxing every part of our bodies. We left the session with “homework” in the form of a 30-day plan for self-care. We will all feel so much better if we follow the plan!
Scott Olson, a Volusia County, Florida Veteran’s Service Officer, provided valuable information on the Caregiver Assistance available from the VA. Caregivers of a seriously injured Veteran who is at least 70 percent disabled due to service-related injuries may be eligible for financial assistance to help provide for the day-to-day needs of their Veteran. He also touched on the many new disabilities recognized via the PACT ACT. Scott urged everyone to seek out their County Service Officer for guidance and assistance with all of their VA Benefit needs.
The highlight of the Symposium was our Wednesday “Be Our Guest” Cupcake celebration honoring Barbara Hale-Ray. National Auxiliary Officers dressed in costumes from Beauty and the Beast, including Fran Holtgreven as Chip, Teviah Gilliard as Lumiere, PNP Kay Jo Baucom as Cogsworth, Linda Varejcka as Mrs. Potts, and Betty Brunton as one of the Bimbettes. Our National President, Barbara, was of course, Belle. She looked radiant in her yellow gown and was the perfect Belle! Our cupcakes were presented under glass, just like the Rose from Beauty and the Beast. They looked beautiful and tasted even better.
The Department of Florida deeply appreciates everyone that attended the Symposium and helped make it successful. I personally thank you for your support and friendship and look forward to seeing everyone in 2025 in Reno, Nevada!
Yours in Patriotism,
Betty Ann Brunton
President, Department of Florida
Betty
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