MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, January 19, 2023

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

All Members Welcome

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

This is January 2023- a new year and new possibilities. It’s a time for moving forward - using the past successes as an incentive for moving ahead and reflecting on past challenges. Our MOPHA is full of energetic, caring and creative members who thrive on service to our veterans and the past year demonstrated our abilities to provide love and respect while assisting those who need or just honoring those who have and are , serving in our military . Our website and general orders bring news and pictures of members in action . I am constantly in awe of the time and effort given to helping others by my auxiliary family- the proof is in the pictures and the words shared. Thank you are two small words with big meaning and are heartfelt. I thank you for the goodness you share so freely and love the kind ways in which you mentor those who will come after. 

Reviewing my year of 2022, I wasn’t able to be a partner with the Order as I had hoped . For reasons unknown, the communication simply fizzled out. I reached out via text, email and phone calls but still responses were not forthcoming . I had envisioned a joint family of service and so I will continue to reach out, with the hope that we can be stronger together . 

I applaud you, my auxiliary members, for the hard work, dedication and friendship you share with all who are fortunate enough to meet you. My wish for this new year is that each of you will find joy in whatever you do, that hope will encourage and uplift you, and that love will surround you always. My life is made better through knowing and working with each of you and I, like a proud parent , sing your praises whenever I get the chance!! Purple hearts are beautiful. 

Kay Jo

karenbaucom8@gmail.com

National Senior Vice President

Barbara Hale Ray

Celebrating With our Veterans

Chapter and Unit 375 a few years ago adopted residents of the Fitzsimons CLC (Community Living Center) as a way to give back to those who have given so much to our great nation. These residents don’t have family or anyone to celebrate the holiday season with. We ended the year giving gifts that were important to them during previous Christmases. Some of those gifts given were flowered blouses, chocolate gift baskets, nuts, Diet Pepsi, a Cowboy Hat, books to read, pajamas, Bronco football gear, slippers, tube socks, flower arrangement, just to name a few. On a sad note, there were fewer residents receiving gifts than last year and that sadden Patriots and Auxiliary members. Our area was hit with snow, cold and storms that had us to delay our initial visit by one week. During this short period, we had more people expiring before we could meet with them. Our members had a difficult time knowing that in just one week, we lost three residents and two more were in the hospital. Time is not a given, but we should be grateful for any time given to us. So this past year we were able to spoil and administer love where it was needed. I am sharing several pictures taken of the happy residents who laugh, ate, and had many people around to listen to their stories. Our next event with the residents will be on Valentine Day and St. Patrick’s Day. President Jan Huffman will start shopping making sure we meet with the administrators and make sure that each event will bring Joy and Smiles to their faces.

God bless our Veterans and Spouses and God bless the United States of America!

Barbara

BarbaraR.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Junior Vice President

Fran Holtgreven

Happy New Year everyone. Can you believe that another year is in the books, and it is 2023 and half of January is completed? This year, I did not make any New Year resolutions, instead, I am just going to ENJOY my family, friends, traveling, reading, working in my cactus garden, riding our motorcycle, going to the beach, helping veterans, and especially helping all my Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary friends keep up all their special projects. Well, I guess, I did make some resolutions for the New Year! Last year was so exciting and I am sure this year is going to be even better and go even faster than last year. 

I hope y’all are remembering to check those dollar bills for the letter “A”, for Auxiliary, for one of our Ways and Means projects. I have only been able to find two of these “A” dollar bills myself. Some members have said “Why don’t we start to collect “L” dollar bills, for Love our Auxiliary and Veterans?” So, I am asking everyone to start looking for those “L” dollar bills plus the “A” dollar bills. Remember, don’t go sending those “A” and “L” dollar bills to our National Treasurer, Tracy Derr, but keep track of how many you have collected and either send a check to the National Treasurer marked Ways and Means or better yet, bring a check to our National Convention in August 2023 at Baton Rouge LA. Ask your Patriot, family and friends to help you with this project.

Also, remember to bring any old jewelry that you are tired of or just want to get rid of, to be sold by “Miss Bling Bling” at our National Convention for Ways and Means. You can also send them to me if you are unable to attend the convention.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to y’all. This is going to be a great year for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary. Let us work together in love and friendship to help our Patriots and Veterans.

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Webmaster

Colleen Orfanello, PNP

This will be a great Zoom meeting! Make sure someone from your Unit will have the "time" to join us for an informative hour about the 2023 90th Annual National Convention, and more!

Colleen

webmaster.mopha@gmail.com

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

Linda Varejcka

Sergeant-At-Arms: 

Members if you were elected to this position in your unit or department if is now time to check with your leadership if plans have been started for the coming year or your department meeting. See what you can do to assist with the planning and setting up the room. Now a days planning can be very overwhelming and other thoughts, another pair of eyes and hands often helps. Be available if wanted/needed.

Americanism:

A New Year! A New set of Goals. Make your plans for how your unit/department can promote Americanism and keep Patriotism alive. Start writing newspaper articles. Contact schools and see what you can do. See if they need classroom flags, would let you come in and read stories to the elementary, purchase books for their library, teach the pledge, sponsor an essay contest, poster contest (to display in various places) etc.  Take part in community activities. I'm sure your creativity can come up with many ideas. Check the yearly calendar and look at all the holidays and start assembling your ideas and making plans now. Some planning takes longer than some.  

God Bless ALL of you!

Yours in Patriotism,

Linda

jfvarejcka@windstream.net

National Historian / Co-Americanism Officer

Joyce Dalton

Welcome to the New Year of 2023. 

There are many Dates and Holidays in the next few months. In hopes all members are keeping track of the numerous opportunities to invite or assist our Patriots, Veterans and their families to participate in the events. 

Remember to contact the media to keep them informed of the good deeds which our organization is contributing to our communities. Remember what happens today will become history tomorrow.

The following is a list of Holidays and Dates to remember:

January 16th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day       

February 1st - National Freedom Day 

February 1st to February 28th - Black History Month  

February 2nd - Day 

February 12th - Abraham Lincoln's Birthday  

February 14th - Valentine's Day  

February 20th - Presidents Day   George Washington's Birthday    

February 20th - FOUNDERS DAY   

General George Washington established Badge of Merit 1782 

U.S. Congress changed Badge of Merit to Purple Heart Medal in 1932.

February 21st - Mardi Gras begins                   

March 12th - Daylight Savings Time Starts 

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day                     

March 23rd - Ramadan 

March 29th - Vietnam Veterans Day

April 1st - April Fool's Day        

April 2nd - Palm Sunday      

April 6th - Passover

April 7th - Good Friday         

 April 9th - Easter Sunday    

April 22nd - Earth Day          

April 28th - Arbor Day 

If you have any pictures of our National President Kay Jo attending any event in your Department or Unit, please send them to me to be included in President Kay Jo's memory book.

My email address is: jdalton8315@gmail.com 

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

 “ IT’S OUR TIME” 

Joyce



jdalton8315@gmaill.com

Region 5 President

Eileen Oltmann, PNP

The Department of Louisiana is getting excited and Convention plans are going well. We still have an opening for a host Hospitality Night. If anyone wishes to have their Unit or Department host a Hospitality Night, let us know.

We can't wait to share details on Thursday's Zoom meeting.

The Unit 375 of Colorado has been active in spreading Holiday Cheer! Enjoy these photos!

Eileen

Region5.MOPHA@gmail.com

Give a virtual "HELLO" to our newest memebrs!

Camille Ovitz-Matassarin TX 1836

Deanna Gamboa TX 1836 Jacqueline Gamboa TX 1836 Abigail Gamboa TX 1836

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.