General Orders Newsletter #12
July 2021
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MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, JULY15th
8 PM EST / 5 PM PST
All Members Welcome - Convention Updates
Meeting Code - 2020
Call in via telephone: 1-929-436-2866
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National President
Amanda Flener
Very soon we will be together in Charleston, WV for our National Convention and I look forward to being able to see many of our Members and Patriots in person. I hope you are among those able to attend. I believe that the in-person support of our Members, Units, and Departments is vital to the success of our Auxiliary.
While 2020-21 brought us unique challenges in terms of the ability to convene and participate in activities, I can’t say that our organization won’t feel the impact of this past year’s struggles for some time. I’m grateful for the many Units and members who have shown resilience, bouncing back with a resurgence in energy, activity, and support for their fellow members and Patriots. In my observations of our Units and Departments over the years, there seems to be a trend. When a Unit or a Department is unable or cannot meet for various reasons (members move, age, Covid, etc.) it tends to be harder to get back in the groove with habits of fellowship, meetings, and activity. Likewise, when we are able to participate in activity and community engagement, our Units thrive and attract growth from new members or those who may have been previously inactive.
As our Units have dwindled over the years, we have a large number of members who are not near a Unit and some who are not members of a Unit or Department. Yet, we have these members who may be willing to participate and help. As we move forward, I believe we need to find a way to keep these members engaged. Perhaps we need to brainstorm new ideas to participate remotely. Our members may need to take a look at our Bylaws to make some changes in order to maximize the impact and engagement from the most of our members.
As we move forward, our Officers and Members are going to have to think outside the box and come up with inventive and creative ways to meet the changing needs of our population of members and Patriots. We must work together with our members and our Patriots to accomplish a shared goal of providing support and assistance to our members and service to veterans around our Nation.
As I close out this term as your National President, I am honored to have been able to serve you and our Members. I remain proud of our Officers and Members who put in so much effort and energy to keep our organization going.
Amanda
229-325-8106
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National Senior Vice President
Colleen Orfanello
How do you answer the age-old question of “Is the glass half-empty or half-full”? How can anyone really? Even if you are a self-acknowledged pessimist or optimist, that question truly can’t be answered without knowing all of the aspects and details that caused the question in the first place. Friends, let me tell you, it’s impossible to be 100% correct.
The reason is variables to every situation are not always identified. While some variables are easily recognized; some are hidden. And with every organization, just like in any situation, there are variables.
In the beginning of my term as Sr. Vice, I viewed the year as “The glass is half-full”. After a few months into the year, the glass half-full theory began to shift. And as Spring approached, my outlook evolved into the knowledge that the “glass is half-empty”. And that philosophy is not a bad one; just a different point of view. What I mean is that I believe there is simply not enough time in a day (or a yearly term) to accomplish everything I had wanted to do. Back in August, I looked into the future and thought I had so much time to think about what I could do to better serve our members. With a background in marketing, I thought of brand awareness and identity guidelines. I thought about projects and partnerships. I thought about relationships and cross-associations. Instead of swirling down a worm-hole, I reached out to a friend at a national marketing firm. She guided me in designing several items our auxiliary members could use to identify them as a MOPHA member; she also encouraged to create items that we have not necessarily had before such as greeting cards, custom fabric, counter-matt items, welcome-packets, and other fun items that can used for personal use or anywhere our Veterans are served. I am thrilled to present these items at our upcoming National Convention and have our membership customize and order these items (if they wish), with the ease and click of a button.
Following President Flener’s “Thank You for your Service” Program, I believe that brand awareness and visual products will bring the MOPHA back into the hearts and minds of those we serve. We were stagnant for over a year, but after reviewing the Publicity and Community reports for this year, our glasses are beginning to look “half-full” again.
I look forward to seeing attendees at our Convention next month and for those who cannot join us, I look forward to seeing you at our post-convention Zoom meeting.
Much love to you all,
Colleen
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National Junior Vice President
Kay Jo Baucom
Have you ever thought about the importance of music in our lives? Music has the ability to soothe, bolster, or excite- with every possible emotion in between evoked. There is a therapeutic side of music that is now recognized by the health sciences and this has established music as a companion to the healing process. With that as a mindset, let's pursue that a bit more.
Music has always been an important part of my family and it definitely can set the mood or feeling at any particular moment. My dad- a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient- was part of a quartet that shared fun songs, gospel renditions and patriotic, memorial tributes. My mom- a geriatric nurse- would play the piano and sing spirited tunes that brought faces of joy among the residents. Those residents, like most of us, tend to clap, hum, sing and move to the beat. Because of my family heritage of musical talent and a genuine love of music, there. is virtually no form of music that I do not enjoy. I listen to the sounds of the notes but I also try to focus on the words that compliment those notes. It is a true gift to be able to write words and music that touch so many. This gift is especially evident in our most beloved patriotic songs. Like you, I have heard these songs multiple times and learned the lyrics. When the beginning notes of the Star Spangled Banner sound, I sometimes find myself imagining what Francis Scott Key must have felt and seen as he watched the flag still flying over Fort McHenry, after the attack on September 15, 1814 Such an emotional moment, it inspired him to pen, in poetic form, those famous words that later were set to music, and eventually became the national anthem in 1951.
"God Bless America" is another well known, patriotic song. What may not be so well known, is that a Russian immigrant, Irving Berlin,originally wrote this song in 1918, as a Ziegfeld-style revue. However, after reflecting on the seriousness of the topic, he abandoned this piece. Twenty years later, Berlin wanted to write a song of peace. He made a few changes to his original song and on Armistice Day,1938, Kate Smith, a talented vocalist, sang the new version during a radio broadcast. It became an instant hit and the vocalist became a household name.
As we all share the days of summer, parades, cookouts and swimming pools or beach trips, music can be heard all around. Let those sounds surround you and take a moment to think about the origins of the words. Notice how those around you respond and share the pleasure that music can evoke. There is no age limit or special skills needed, so just savor the enjoyment. We are meant to enjoy music together!
Kay Jo Baucom
MOPHA National Junior Vice President
Kay Jo
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I would like to highlight MOPHA MN Unit 268:
MOPHA MN Unit 268 was lucky to receive a $2,000 grant. We had contacted the Minneapolis VA Hospital and was informed of what they needed which was weighted blankets with washable covers. Also, shoes to send home with veterans who had none to go home with. Unit 268 were so happy to deliver 36 blankets with a weight of 12 lbs with washable covers and 20 pairs of croc type shoes.
So, what Article or Section will you set your goal on to refresh or learn about or dig deeper with MOPHA CBL’s? You can find and download the MOPHA CBL 2020 online at purpleheartauxiliary.org. GO TO: FORMS, then CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS/MANUALS. Have fun along with me digging deeper.
I look forward to being with many of you at the MOPH/MOPHA Convention in Charleston, West Virginia.
Karen
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Pictured is Linda Bellis, MN Unit 268 and the Staff from Occupational and Physical Therapy, the Director of Activities and Head of Voluntary Services. They were so happy to get so many blankets and shoes. |
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Greetings MOPHA Members!
I pray that everyone had a happy and safe July 4th holiday. I would like to share my July 4th Americanism report prepared from www.history.com:
[The Fourth of July – also known as Independence Day or July 4th – has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American Independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2021 was on Sunday, July 4th; the federal holiday was observed on Monday, July 2nd, 2021.
The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4th of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported “at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” That same night, the Sons and Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.
The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees. Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.]
It has been an honor for me to serve as your Region IV President for 2020-2021. I have been a member of MOPHA since 2005 and have held several offices at the unit and department levels; however, Region IV President has been most challenging and continues to be a learning experience. Thanks to the National Leadership Team, Region IV and all MOPHA members and friends for making 2020-2021 another successful year in fulfilling the Objectives of our great organization. Keep up the good work!!
In Patriotism & Service
Diane
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JoAnn Croney
National Chaplain
Peace, Be Still
Mark 4:39
Father, I am still, because You are God. How do you slow down to spend time with your Father? Why is time in neutral necessary for driven people?
I am so excited about the 88th MOPH Convention to behold Charleston, WV.
Hope to see all Auxiliary members, Patriots and new members as well.
Dear Lord, We honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country's heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America's victories over tyranny and oppression. In Your name we pray. Amen.
JoAnn
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Dolores Frieb FL 23
Doris Green TX DML
Dorothy Swift NML
Drew E. Koenig TX DML
Edith Quirk TX 1867
Embry Laverne NML Evelyn Kovalchick LA 331
Frieda Tregaskes NML Genevieve Eck LA 1955
Helen Cornwell IL 159
Jean Hartley CA 2001
Johnnie Lorraine Matl TX 1919
Josephine P. Robydek MI 1985
Joyce Robertson TX DML
Katherine M. Hanley NML Laura Fernandez NML Lillian Voeltzl NML
Linda Roncali MS DML
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Marguerite Marzec MI 127
Marilyn E. Phillips MI 1985
Marilyn Porter TX 1836
Mary A. Steuer TX 1836
Mattie Opal Perkins TX DML
Murium E. Fine WI 162
Opal Clytee Peck MI 1985
Patricia Avis MI 1985
Paula S. DeFrancesco NML Pauline Gray CA 2001
Peggy Albrets NML
Rachel Bell MS 690
Robbie Kovalchick LA 331
Sally A. Muszynski MI 1985
Shirley Patton IL 159
Vicki Ann Cowley NML Vivan McCrone NML Wanda Nickels TX 1836
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Don't Forget! Turn in those reports, receipts and photos from your HOV Grants! |
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SNEAK PEEK at one of our fabulous Ways & Means raffle prizes! MOPHA will hold its annual raffle at the National Convention; however, those not able to participate will also have a chance to purchase tickets. Raffle prizes and details will be shared during this month's ZOOM call! You won't want to miss it! |
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Matthew Thornhill - TX 1836
Carol Ann Noyes - NE 200
Kim Tina Steans - CA 49
Maurice Litchfield - CA 49
Taylor Nelson - FL 566
Sherry Swords - FL 566
Collin Nelson - FL 566
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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 fantastic gift!
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Check out our Social Media Accounts and give us a "Like" and Follow....new things will be coming! |
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