General Orders Newsletter  # 12

July 2023

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, July 20, 2023

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

PATRIOTS & GUESTS INVITED

LOGIN ONLINEhttps://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

Calling all of my auxiliary family!! This is the time of year we focus on our upcoming convention, and I am telling you all, this is our time to shine and show off a little bit. Baton Rogue is the place to be in August and I, for one, can’t wait to meet and greet each of you, take care of necessary business and have delightful fun !!!
This year has been truly a gift that has proved to multiply my pride in our organization. Together, you all have provided countless hours of service- not only with your hands, but also with your hearts. It is the passion with which each activity or project is undertaken, that resonates with me. I have personally witnessed the love and care given to deserving individuals or families and have seen the complete and total joy and raw emotion that results. It is this devotion to our service men and women, their families and communities, that has given me the experiences of a lifetime as I have represented each of you as your National President. My pride in our organization has grown tenfold and my heart is full.
Thank you, two little words, yet the weight of what they convey is extraordinarily heavy. Because of you, I have traveled to places I never would have seen and met people that I now consider friends. Because of you, my mindset remains strong as I speak out whenever I can, for the rights of veterans to have the best care available, in a timely fashion, with cutting edge technology. Because of you, I continue to reach out to our younger generation, so they will understand the service and sacrifices given by our military. Because of you, I have a broader understanding of patriotism and our national history, the importance of designated special days- some I did not know existed and the reasons our organization is thriving. I can give accolades to the teamwork, respect, and love shared among the MOPHA membership and more specifically, our leadership team. Oh, how proud I am!!!
Still serving with heart and hands,

Kay Jo

karenbaucom8@gmail.com

National Senior Vice President

Barbara Hale Ray


Trying to Stay Cool This Summer


As we prepare for the 90th Convention in Bator Rouge, we have been hit with a double than normal adjustment to our weather. Summertime is always hot, but this year we have been hit with extreme heat across the United States.

To prepare for this phenomenon, scientists had predicted years ago that global climate changes will occur. What did they mean by this statement? How will it affect us? The icebergs are melting at a rapid speed causing accelerated rise in sea levels therefore creating more intense heat waves.

Heat across the United States has hit areas for longer periods than usual. Now, the weather service has announced that El Nino has settled into our country. This means that we will be under extreme heat advisories, watches and warning. Here is the midwest, the announcements for extreme heat conditions started Friday night warning the citizens about heat expectations next week.

Changes have to be made not only for the senior populations, but for all people. What can we do? Choose the time you should spend outdoors and try to stay hydrated.

We have so many warnings about the importance of staying hydrated. Water is vital in maintaining a healthy body. The average male’s body is made up of 60% of water and a woman’s body is made up of 55%. Our bodies are constantly losing water from sweating and losing water in our urine.

Studies show that a person can go about three weeks without food but only about three to four days without water. The daily recommendation is to drink at least 10 glasses of water per day and by doing this; we help lubricate our bodies in energizing our muscles to carry on our daily tasks,

When we don’t drink enough liquids we might become dehydrated. Below are a few signs that alert you that you maybe dehydrated:

·      Dry mouth, eyes and skin

·      Headaches

·      Dark urine color

·      Low energy

·      Frequent muscle cramps

·      Constantly hungry

·      Joint pain

·      Decrease in muscle mass

·      Irritability and mood swing

There are more signs that may alert you, but please contact your doctor for more information.

Our main tip for you when traveling to the convention is that you to always have water with you at all time especially when you venture out of the hotel. More tips to help you:

·      Do not travel alone. 

·      Make sure your cell number and your name is on your body.

·      Wear a hat.

·      Carry an umbrella for the protection from the sun.

·      Find air conditioning when possible.

·      Know the signs of heat-related illness.

Time is going fast and we are on the countdown to the convention. See you in Baton Rouge and remember to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate.


Barbara


BarbaraR.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Junior Vice President

Fran Holtgreven


Can you believe another year has passed and we are close to the 90th MOPH and MOPHA National Convention in Baton Rouge, LA? It is going to be a great Convention and hoping that many Patriot’s and Auxiliary members will be able to attend, either in person or via Zoom.                                                                                 

I am so excited to let you know that I have received several gift cards, jewelry and money from the “A” and “L” dollar projects for the Ways and Means along with some great gifts to be raffled. A 92-year young lady contacted me about knitting a lap blanket with a beautiful array of colors to donate to the raffle. Of course, I said, “I would love that and thank you.” Also, my daughter Heather, wanted to dedicate a stained-glass picture of a purple heart in honor of her father for the raffle. She has been working on it faithfully and just told me today that she must stop for a while because her fingers are sore and cut from the small pieces of glass. Several other gifts have been donated, too. Remember there will not be a 50/50 drawing this year, but instead, there will be 2 money jars that will hold, at the LEAST $90, plus a few more little surprises in the jar.  I have finished wrapping 90 little Birthday presents that can be purchased when you register in Baton Rouge for $5 each. In one of the Birthday presents, there will be a note congratulating you that you have won a $100 bill. The Birthday presents will be opened at our 90th Birthday celebration. 


Don’t forget that we will have Miss Bling Bling’s jewelry table; so, remember to bring cash and/or a check book to help the Ways and Means fund their account. Let your significant other or your guest know about all the special items that we have for purchase or to be raffled.  


We have received two MOPHA Resolutions this year to be discussed and voted on at the Convention. Please join our Monthly Zoom meeting Thursday, July 20, 2023, to learn about these resolutions.

  

It has been an exciting year and I have learned so much about our organization. I am also, very excited to start a new year and help our Patriot’s and Veterans throughout the United States. Thanks to all the Departments and Units of the MOPHA, without each of you, we could not have accomplished so many projects. It amazes and makes me thankful for all the compassion you give our Veterans. THANK YOU    

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

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. Bring the form with you if you have not already turned in your form. 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…It's not too late to send in a letter of intent to be read from the convention floor: 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”.


Thanks everyone for the support of our Veterans.


Judy

MOPHAUXSEC@Gmail.com

National Communication's Officer

Amanda Flener, PNP


We need your PHOTOS! Please share any Photos and news with us

  • Department or Unit photos 
  • New Officers
  • Independence Day events
  • Other Unit/Department Activities
  • Projects you've worked on this year 


Amanda Flener

Aflener1@Gmail.com

National Chaplain

Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP


From the Desk of the MOPHA National Chaplain


July2023

 

My how time flies when you’re having fun. This has been an extraordinary year we have experienced with an extraordinary leadership team, and in the hands of an extraordinary God, thank Him. 

 

I offer my heart of gratitude to all of you for your devoted service to our Auxiliary, Patriots, and family members, thank you and thank God for you. Just a friendly reminder that the last Chaplain’s Chat Zoom of 2022-2023 will take place on Thursday, July 27,2023 at 7 p.m. CST. As mentioned last month there will be a special opportunity of participation at the National Convention for those present. Those who are not able to attend can contact me for details to still have an active role if desired. Looking forward to seeing or hearing from you.  

 

In Memoriam and Sympathy for Bereaved Families

(always sad to share but never too late to send card or sentiment, if possible)

“Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.”

Almighty God in His Infinite Wisdom called to their Eternal Reward the following members named:

*Gloria Dell MI 514 (4/20/23)                                              

*Mary Lou Doan MI 514 (2/7/17

*Theresa Hugo MI 514 (9/13/21)                                          

*Sharlene James MI 514 (10/7/17)

*Bernice Metcalf MI 514 (3/13/21)                                     

*Judy Werner MI 514 (7/24/21)

*Joan Wressell MI 514 (1/11/2022)                                      

*Jane Allen MI 514 5/13/2006)

*Doris Schember MI 514 (1/24/16)                                     

*Lois Rice MI 514 (8/18/22)

*Carrie Dreyer MI 514 (1/27/10)                                          

*Nancy Nowak MI 514 (7/15/22)

*Janet Martin MI 514 (10/3/21)

*Roseanne Hartung WI (6/24/23) Family@ 3450 Hillview Road,

Eau Claire,WI 54703

*Jeanne Hartley CA DML (12/17/17)

*Elizabeth Lee CA DML (2/23/22)                                      

*Gorup Roberta NML (1/3/22)

*Rosie Lee West GA 492 (4/7/23)    

*Vernetta Fish MN 550 (10/9/22)

*Carolyn Kelly NE 260 (9/2/22)                                          

*Betty Renew FL 535 (3/10/22)

*Dorothy Reinfield FL DML (9/18/21)                                

*Dorothy Kaul LA 1955

*Doris Barclay WI 228 (8/5/16)                                           

*Julaine Dull NML (11/27/20)

*Rafaela Mullins FL 566 (10/5/22)                                     

*Berna Enck CA DML (11/21/21)

*Felicia Wanna MN 550 (1/5/23)                                         

*Anni Tomkins FL 566 (8/8/22)

*Patsy Warfield NE 632 (7/1/17)                                         

**Betty Eames LA 351 (8/2/22)               

**Norma Douglas IA 777 (7/4/23)                                        

**Ruth Richmond WI 228 (9/29/22)                    

**Wanda Schwartz WI 228 (6/5/23)                                     

**Gladys Lee WI 550 (7/8/22)                         

**Vera Meinhardt WI 550 (4/22/23)                                      

**Eileen Paggi WI 550 (2/5/23)                                    

**Muriel Blakeslee WI 162 (8/10/22)                                    

**Irene Hackl WI 162 (9/28/22)

 

Other Prayer Requests for Bereaved Families

*For Darlene Rogers and Patriot Roy whose brother (Glenn) passed. Both Darlene and Roy are long time members and officers in the Auxiliary and Order. Cards may be sent to: Roy Rogers, 821 Arthur Street, Menasha, WI 54952

 

Health ‘n Homebound:    

-PNP Bonnie Dumler as she continues to recuperate/rehab from a broken tibia below knee. Looking forward to going home.

-Mia Roush who is (as of last report received) reported as doing better after having a stroke and being on life support. Requested to continue to lift both her and her husband Bill in prayer.

-Karen Larabel, Region 2 President and Department Chaplain for health concerns.

Thinking of You   Prayers for Other Needs/Concerns    Anonymous/Unspoken Prayer Requests

Please pray for both known and unknown: United States of America and the world environment.

July Birthdays: Happy, Happy Birthday to all of July Birthday Celebrants! Our organization is better because of you and you are worth celebrating! May the good Lord keep on blessing you real good with many more birthdays to come with abundant favor and the desires of your hearts.

 

Please join in prayer:

Loving Father God, We bow humbly before Your throne of grace and mercy, as we come to the end of this year’s season of service to this unique organization, we offer our hearts of immensely gratitude for giving us the many opportunities in the different roles You purposed us in as volunteers. Thank You for always being present not only within our meetings but within us as we conduct ourselves with Your guidance and strength in the act of love, kindness, and in fellowship with others, being that helping hand, or even that listening ear-thank You for being our guide through it all in the name of humanitarian services as You have commanded us. We have experienced Your Comfort when grieving as we now ask for those who are grieving for their loss of loved ones or livelihood-thank You for understanding our hurts; we have welcomed and basked in the joy of Your being our Provider, our Refuge; we have been uplifted in Your strength when we were at our weakest; You have been and is our Great Physician on both sides when others have given up. Dear God, You have loved us despite our faults and flaws, thank You for Your forgiveness when we ask. We are so grateful for all of the compassion and goodness that You are and give to us; and Your faithfulness to Your promises. Thank You for being that Constant in our lives –never changing-never failing, just thank You Father. Thank You for giving us hope. You are a mighty God. As we continue in service, we ask for Your grace on being faithful stewards over that You have given to us. All honor, glory and praise to You, forever and ever. In Your Holy Name, we pray, AMEN. 

 

Looking forward to seeing y’all in BR. Stay beautiful, stay safe, stay blessed, stay prayed up!

 

HIS Mercy is Eternal  HIS Grace is Sufficient  HIS Strength is Perfect  HIS Love is Forever

AMEN

Humbly and In HIS Love,

National MOPHA Chaplain

 (Numbers 6:24-26)


Gwendolyn

Chaplain.mopha@gmail.com

National Historian / Co-Americanism Officer

Joyce Dalton


There is a lot of history this month. Please send any articles and pictures which can be added to the memory book of President for KayJo. 


Joyce Dalton National Historian

Co-Americanism Chair


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


 “ IT’S OUR TIME” 

Joyce

jdalton8315@gmaill.com

Region 5 President

Eileen Oltmann, PNP


It's hard to believe that this is our last General Orders for the year. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all who have made this year a productive one. in spite of COVID-19 and severe weather conditions, we were able to fulfill many of our goals.


A few days ago, while reorganizing my work room, I discovered dozens of Purple Heart magazines dating back to 2006. It brought back fine memories. Memories that I hope we will all share for future years to come.


Working together, along with the new MOPH leadership, we will have a banner year. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our National Convention!


Eileen

Teasippinlady@yahoo.com

Region 1, 3, and 6 Liaison

Terri Shattuck


GREAT JOB to the Department of Alaska!


MOPHA member Kim Kraushar sent us these photos of what will be the longest Purple Heart Trail in the nation, according to the Alaska Journal of Commerce.


Nine hundred miles of highway winds through Interior and Southcentral Alaska, beginning at the border with Canada and ending on the Homer Spit at the "End of the Road." Covering an even larger area, the Alaska Marine Highway system connects 3,500 miles of coastal Alaska from the Aleutians to the Inside Passage. Every year, thousands of visitors and residents traverse these highways in cars and on ferries. Seeing this opportunity, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) has been working for years to designate Purple Heart cities, boroughs, roads, and bridges across the US to honor and thank veterans who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving our nation.

The MOPH began efforts in Alaska in 2008 with the designation of the highways between Alaska-Canada as the Purple Heart Trail.

At approximately 4,500 miles, Alaska's Purple Heart Trail will be the longest in the nation's already-expansive network of trails and will include the first-ever marine highway. 


Terri

BTShattuck@gmail.com

Did You Know?

Alaska has more resident Veterans per capita than any other State!

Just a friendly reminder that

AUGUST 7th is NATIONAL PURPLE HEART DAY!

IF ANYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE JULY/AUGUST Edition of the Purple Heart Magazine, please send them to the Publications Committee at thePHMagazine@gmail.com

PURPLE HEART MAGAZINE

March - April 2023 Edition - (We will Publish the May/June edition as soon as it is received.)

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

Veronica Grant PA 11

Sharon Shelton CA 49

Kendal Nitschke MI 91

Ryan Allen MI 127

Jeanne Smith CO 375

Margaret Porter-Manns CO 375

Caiden Jepsen CO 423

Janis Reed NML - National Member at Large

LAST CHAPLAIN'S CHAT FOR THIS TERM is July 27, 2023! Contact Chaplain Gillard for more details. CHaplain.MOPHA@Gmail.com

2022-2023 Officers

IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING NATIONAL CONVENTION

The deadline to book your room at the $99 discounted rate has been extended until Wednesday August 26th, 2023. As a reminder, MEMBERS OF THE NEC (only) will receive a stipend of $600 to successfully carry out the business of MOPHA and fulfilling their duties during the National Convention.

The deadline for Sunday Funday New Orleans excursion is Friday August 21st.

The deadline for submitting an Advertisement in the 90th Annual Convention Book has been extended to Friday August 21st.



Zoom attendees will not be able to vote; only those in physical attendance will have the right to vote. In order to receive your stipend, you must register as a member of the Auxiliary, be a member of an active Unit who has turned in their Installation Report on time, attend the MOPHA sessions, and submit receipts totaling at least $600.


More information on National Convention will take Thursday on Zoom.

REGISTER HERE:

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

2023 PATRIOT Convention Coins are here! The price for the 90th Annual commemorative coin is $15. All proceeds will go towards funding the national convention.

2023 Convention Pins are in! The price for the 90th annual convention commemorative pin is $10. All proceeds go towards the national convention.

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

The $99 nightly rate from Sunday night 6/13 through Friday Night 6/18 will be issued by the Crowne Plaza until JULY 14, 2023.


The $99 nightly rate from Friday night 6/11 and Saturday Night 6/12 will be available until Friday July 21, 2023.


If you get an error message that rooms for Saturday are sold out, this is a glitch in the system. Please contact Julie Gauthier (Pronounced "Go-Thee-Ay") at the Crowne Plaza directly and she will fix it internally. Julie's contact information follows: Jgauthier@executivecenterbr.com or 225-930-0151


To Register, click here and follow directions to receive the group rate with the promo code MPH

NEED A NEW MOPHA CAP?
Our friends at Keystone Uniform Caps embroider each cap with dedication and love. Caps take a few weeks to be shipped. If you wish to modify your current cap, or perhaps order a new one, then visit their website at

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.


GOLD STAR

RECIPIES


Examples may be a passed down family recipe for home-made pie, or as simple as the Hero's signature sandwich.


Every Gold Star Family has a story to tell. We want to share their story through recipes! Gold Star Families can may send in the recipe for their Hero's favorite dish. It is requested that a photo of your Hero, as well as a story why they enjoyed that particular recipe so much, accompany the recipe. We wish to honor our fallen Heroes by remembering their life, not the loss.


Categories will be appetizers, entrees, soups & salads, desserts, and more.


CLICK HERE to submit a recipe. Please share with family and friends.

or visit https://www.purpleheartauxiliary.org/gsr

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