General Orders Newsletter #11
June 2021
National President
Amanda Flener

Memorial Day - A few weeks prior to Memorial Day, some of our members traveled to Washington, DC for a pre-taping of a Memorial Day parade held on the National Mall. National JVP KayJo Baucom attended as well as others. On Memorial Day, I traveled back to DC and was honored to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC on behalf of our MOPH and Auxiliary to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those heroes who are no longer with us.

Department Conventions were finished during the last week of May with NSVP Colleen Traveling to Michigan after I was able to attend an in-Louisiana held an in person convention with hybrid online attendees. If your Unit didn't submit an Installation Report on time, please still go ahead and send it to the National Secretary if you aren't planning to close this year. Better late than never! While you won't get rebates, it will be on record and allow us to be in contact this coming year.

National Convention - Charleston, WV - August 2-4 (Travel can be in on the 1st and out on the 5th if you desire). This is NOT expected to be a HYBRID convention. We simply do not have the resources to guarantee this could be done adequately. If you want to participate, you need to plan to be there in person. There is a possibility that we will be able to stream the event for viewing. This would not guarantee real time participation and would not allow for hybrid voting or real time discussion.

I was able to visit the Convention site and hotel after the Memorial Day ceremony. We have been told that after next week masking and social distancing will not be required as long as their test period of these practices is successful. Keeping that in mind, the Convention Center will have space for attendees to distance themselves should they choose and of course individuals are welcome to mask up if they feel more comfortable.

Registration is on our website - www.PurpleheartAuxiliary.org - NOTE that the PNP/PNC luncheon has no cost so please do not remit the fee if you would like to attend. Remember, NEC reimbursement is not expected to be at the usual full rates. Details will follow when our "year" ends at the end of the month and the National SVP has submitted her budget for consideration to the Finance Committee.

If you would be interested in having a room mate, please let us know and we will work to pair you with someone compatible.

Update

Hope to see you in West Virginia,

Amanda
229-325-8106
Laptop

Department & Region Roundtable
& Convention Updates
We want to hear from YOU!

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, May 20th
8 PM EST / 5 PM PST
All Members Welcome - We invite Department Presidents (Units without Departments) and Region Presidents to give a brief update on news in their area.

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 Senior Vice President
Colleen Orfanello

I can’t express the amount of joy I have had in the last two months. I had the great privilege of virtually and physically attending many of our Department’s annual conventions. I have learned so much and met many new friends. These memories will be lifelong and I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented the leadership team of the MOPHA.

We all know that serving our Veterans this year has been a challenge. I am so proud of all of our units
and Departments who have found ways to think of, design, and complete projects that benefit our
Heroes. Many of our Units and Departments have successfully turned in their Committee reports
highlighting their amazing work and good deeds. I am currently compiling a list of photos and captions
that showcase these and they will be available at our annual convention for other units and
departments to see. Thank you to the units and departments who have turned in their reports.

There are a handful of Units that have not done so; however, do not feel discouraged! I welcome (and
encourage) those who have not turned in their reports to reach out to me and we will complete them
together. Even if no activities were physically performed, let’s chat and discuss your current wishes,
needs, and goals for the future. Sometimes only a small spark will ignite the flame of creativity. If you
cannot physically attend our convention, the photos will be available on our website after it is unveiled
at the convention.

And lastly, for our new members and seasoned members as well, consider attending the annual
convention. The camaraderie is second to none. It is an experience that will remain with you always.
Even if you are a member for only a short time, we welcome you with open arms and a huge heart.
Questions on anything at all?- Interested in sharing a skill or strongpoint?- Just want to chat and share?
If so, call or text me anytime at 504-296-5022 or email me at colleen.mopha@gmail.com
I look forward to seeing everyone on Zoom Thursday evening.

Colleen
JoAnn Croney
National Chaplain

Prayer For Strength
Lord, at the moment nothing seems to be able to help the loss I feel.
My heart is broken and my spirit mourns.
All I know is that Your grace is sufficient. 
This day, this hour, moment by moment I choose to lean on You.
For when I am at my weakest, Your strength is strongest.

I pour out my grief to you and praise You that on one glorious day when all suffering is extinguished and love has conquered, we shall walk together again. 

Lord, I ask You to strengthen our sisters and brothers. In Your name I pray Amen.

JoAnn

Don't Forget! Turn in those reports, receipts and photos for your HOV Grants!
Unit 385 gave grocery gift cards to the Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) for their Grocery Grants program. This is one of their largest food grant programs in the greater Sacramento community for Veterans and their dependents that need help during the COVID pandemic.
Unit 741 - Northshore (Louisiana) requested a HOV Grant back in February. It took some time but the mission was finally accomplished. Patriot Mike MacNaughten, who runs the Volunteers of America homeless veteran program, requested bicycles and parts for bicycles in order for veterans who do not have driver license privileges to bike to work and school. We called this program Bikes for the Brave and it was wildly successful. We plan to do more work with them in the future.
Department of Minnesota

Unit 268 used the HOV grant to Purchase 31 water resistant gloves and 2 hats for the VA in Minneapolis. The Unit also donated underwear for mean and women, t-shirts, socks, hats, gloves, and deodorant. Member Linda Bellis was able to secure donations from a clothing company with a value of $1950 of 39 pullovers and fleece jackets.

The Department of Minnesota Auxiliary was the recipient of a grant that allowed them to fill the needs of VA Nursing Home patients. They provided iPad stands to hold iPads for Veterans to see their loved ons, puzzles, wood projects, updated wifi and prizes for hallway bingo. A new indoor bird aviary was purchased with a few new birds.
Welcome New Members
Erika Zayas GA 465
Louis Zayas Jr GA 465
Bonnie Lake CO 375
Yanis C. Whitten OH 31
Valerie Whitten OH 31
Isabella Whitten OH 31
Catherine Snyder OH 31
Mary Osterkamp OH 3620
Jeanette Mosley TX1836
Mary Lou Pankey IL 159
Helen Beauchamp NML
Ruth Swartz NML
Ann Claire Grove NML
Carolyn Edwards NML
Martha Burgess NML
Norma Vahlkamp NML
Cora R-Gomez TX DML
Virginia Morosi MI 459
Mary J Smith MI 1985
Jean E Taylor MI 1985
Geneva Young MI 1985
Ursie K Powers MI 127
Donna Kopsell MI 1985
F. Ruth Torres MI 110
Antoinette Landa MI127
Jeanette Brazeau MIDML
Carolyn Peck MI 110
Mary Rappel TX DML
Avis McKnight NC 638
Arline Norris OH 743
Aldine Coulter OH 743
Elizabeth SiebrasseNML
Irma WForeman LA DML
Irene Crews LA DML
Marilee Foster LA DML
Lillian Villard LA DML
Martha Ussery LA DML
Nilso Lasso LA 1955
Barbara Waters LA 1955
Perry Holder LA 1955
Velma Sweatman TX 1867
Lucille Creekmore
TX 1937
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 GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Check out our Social Media Accounts and give us a "Like" and Follow....new things will be coming!