MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, March 21, 2024

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

PATRIOTS & GUESTS INVITED

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

Barbara Hale Ray

Celebrating The Early Women Who Served in The Armed Forces

From the battlefields of the American Revolution to the deserts of Kuwait, women have been serving in the military in one form or another for more than 200 years. They have had to overcome decades of obstacles to get where they are today, serving in greater numbers, in combat roles and in leadership positions all around the world.

Although women were not always permitted to enlist in the U. S. Armed Forces, many still found ways to serve their nation. During the Revolutionary War, as colonial militias armed themselves and joined George Washington’s Continental Army, many of these soldiers’ wives, sisters, daughters and mothers went with them. These women traveled alongside the Continental Army, where they boosted morals as well mended clothes, tended to wounds, foraged for food, cooked and cleaned both laundry and cannons.

Some women found ways to join the fight for independence. Margaret Corbin disguised herself as a man and traveled with her husband to the front lines of the Battle of Fort Washington, where she helped him load his cannon. When her husband was shot by enemy fire, Corbin carried on fighting, even after being shot three times. She was given a military pension in acknowledgement of her efforts, and years after her death was reburied at West Point with full military honors.

During the Civil war, nearly 20,000 women lent their skills and efforts in everything from growing crops to feeding Union troops to cooking in Army camps. It was during the Civil War that women began to serve as nurses on a much larger scale. Approximately 3,000 women served as nurses for the Union Army during the war. Legendary nurse and founder of the Red Cross, Clara Barton received a special “Military pass” that permitted her to travel directly onto the battlefield, where she drove her medical wagons straight into the battle to attend to the wounded soldiers.

When the United States entered WW I in April 1917, the U.S. Army Nurse Corp (ANC) – had been established in 1901 – and in existence for less than 20 years. At this time there were only 403 nurses in its active-duty ranks. WW I is notable because it was the first-time women – who did not yet have the right to vote – were allowed to openly serve in the U.S. Military.

Now we cannot forget to talk about the greatest generation that fought in the war, WW II. WW II created an unpresented need for service members. As more than 16 million Americans stepped up to serve on the front lines – the majority of those being men – the U.S. military was left with many non-combat roles that needed to be filled. So, the women of the United States stepped up to, and for the first time in history, all branches of the military enlisted women in their ranks –

The Army, WAACs renamed the Women’s Army Corps and the Army Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS).

Navy – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).

Marine Corps – The Marines enlisted women in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

Coast Guard formed the Women Reserve (SPARS).

In total nearly 350,000 American women served in uniform during WW II. These women took on non-combat rolls to free up more men to fight. They continued to work clerical jobs as they did during the World War I, but they drove vehicles, repaired airplanes, worked in laboratories and cryptology, served as radio and telephone operators, rigged parachutes, test-flew planes and even trained their male counterparts in air combat tactics.

We celebrate the ones who came forward to fill the need in the most pivotal time for our country and our history is rich with ladies from all walks of life and struggles. We and not forget all who help pave the way for need to serve.

Happy Women’s Month to all who served!

Barbara

BarbaraR.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Senior Vice President

Fran Holtgreven

The Department Conventions are being scheduled for the next few months and much work goes into planning, organizing and making this event fun and informative. Electing Officers is a very important part of Department Conventions, if you have not thought of offering your time and help to become an officer or an appointed officer, now is the time to start thinking about stepping up to help the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary. Becoming an officer is a commitment, but with the help of all members working together the commitment becomes fun, helpful to our Veterans, enjoyable, rewarding and makes a difference for the health of our organization. This commitment is also needed for the Units of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary. Both the Departments and the Units are the heart of this organization and without each Department or Unit we will not be able to survive. The MOPHA needs to start looking out for themselves and start to plan what is going to work for us as an Auxiliary to be able to keep helping our Veterans who have sacrificed for our freedom. Now is the time for US Auxiliary Members to sacrifice to help them by stepping up to keep our organization healthy.         

Another way to help the Departments and Units is recruiting new members. If each Auxiliary member could recruit one new member, just think how we could add talent, new ideas and more members to help fill our installation reports. I know the younger generation has many irons in the fire, just remember when you were in their position, but letting them experience what your Department or Unit is doing to help Veterans may move someone towards wanting to make a difference like each Auxiliary member is doing.  Invite prospective members to attend a meeting, a social event or ask them to help you with a project. If they have small children, ask an older grandchild or Associate member to help keep them engaged while your meeting is taking place. Think of having a hybrid meeting via Zoom where they can participate without leaving home. These are just a few ideas, brainstorm with each other to come up with other ideas. And by all means, pass your ideas on to the other Departments and Units to help add to our membership.                                            



Please help keep the MOPHA prospering and helping our Veterans and Patriots for another 91 years. We need to see what works for us as an Auxiliary. 

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Junior Vice President

Teviah Gilliard

Thank you to everyone who purchased Purple Heart-themed shirts or ornaments. The first shipment of shirts were mailed this week. We can't wait to hear feedback on this fundraiser. Shirts will be available for purchase until the end of April. Ornaments will be available until supplies run out.

As Auxiliary Members, we understand that our organization must evolve in order to be successful. And because of this, members are encouraged to write resolutions if they think our bylaws should be amended for the good of the Auxiliary. To do so, please familiarize yourself with page 53 of the Procedures Manual that can be found under the Members Only section on the Forms tab. A sample resolution is provided; however, do not feel uncomfortable reaching out to our bylaws committee for assistance. Your resolution should state what the resolution is in regard to (RE), A "Whereas" which will clearly explain what is presently worded and why it needs to change, and the resolution of the issue (RESOLVED) which will clearly state the verbiage change you are submitting. Resolutions are due on or before May 31st and should be sent directly to our National Secretary, Judy Fiddler. Once she has received the resolution, she will submit them to out bylaws committee for review. The convention body will hear the resolutions prior to voting and vote upon them during the 91st annual convention this year.

Don't forget to save your dollar bills with an "F", "L", or "A" on it. By collecting these bills, and donating them to MOPHA, we are able to continue our mission of serving our Purple Heart Heroes and their families. If you have questions, I'd love to hear from you. More information regarding fundraising items can be found at www.PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org/orderform

Teviah

Teviah.Gilliard@yahoo.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Happy Spring Everyone... Well it is that time of the year for elections and installations. Please send your installation report as soon as you can. Don't put it off until the end of May because it could be forgotten about so easily. Your other reports should be in to the National Officers as well because they have to compile all the reports received and file one complete report to me by May 31.

Please consider running for an office on the National level. If you do, please submit to me a letter of intent. In that letter, mention why you would like to hold the office and that if elected, you would be honored to accept the position. This is so that if you cannot be present at the convention, that we have your intentions in writing. 

Please don't forget that the National Junior Vice is selling Purple Heart Christmas ornaments and Hawaiian shirts online. Check them out at  purpleheartauxiliary.org . Convention plans are still being ironed out. Updates should be known by the time our National ZOOM comes on March 21.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Easter and a beautiful spring. Yours in Patriotism...Judy

Judy

MOPHAUXSEC@Gmail.com

330-880-3364

National Sgt at Arms, VAVS Rep, Americanism Officer

Linda Varejcka

 "THESE HEROS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN". IF you don't already do a POW/MIA ceremony at your meetings would you please think about incorporating. Do you have a POW/MIA flag in the room? Consider having a POW/MIA table at your department meeting. 

Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska is home to one of the three (3) (the two other labs are located in Hawaii at Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency labs in the U.S. with aprx. 50 members. And one of the things that stands out most about this group in Omaha, is the majority forensic anthropologists are women.  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. Their research and operation mission involve coordination with hundreds of counties and municipalities worldwide. They have vowed to never give up.

As of the update that I was able to locate was May 22, 2023, more than 81,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific region and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea. (ship losses and known aircraft water losses).

"LET US NEVER FORGET".

FYI Taken from stop soldiers suicide.org. Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served.

Taken from Johns Hopkins Medicine. Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates spike in the light of spring, not the darkness of winter.  

"In April, May and June, the suicide rate goes up and is the highest." those numbers can be two to three times higher than in December, when suicide rates are the lowest. It is a myth that suicide rates rise during the winter, esp. around the holidays. Suicide rate are the lowest from November to January. It is not fully understood why suicide rates peak in the spring although there are theories.  



Always be watchful of the signs, be there, listen, don't be afraid to (dial 988 select 1) who knows you may save the life of someone. 

WAR CAKE RECIPIE

It is such a simple raisin-spice cake that is characterized by the absence of eggs and milk — ingredients that would have been scarce during wartime. This cake is sometimes referred to as “boiled raisin cake” because raisins form the main content and the majority of the ingredients are boiled, then cooled, before they are mixed with flour and baking soda and then baked in the oven. Because of food shortages during war time, many foods were rationed. 

This recipe predate our modern electronic ovens! While some suggest baking the cake at 350F, I thought that might be a bit high so I baked my war cake at 335F for one hour. Because there are no eggs or milk in the cake for moistness, it is very easy to overbake the cake and end up with a dry product. Hence, it is important to time the baking carefully and to use a cake tester starting at about the 45-minute point. If the cake starts to darken on the top or edges too quickly, simply place a piece of tin foil loosely over the top. Adding a small pan of water to the lower shelf in the oven while baking the cake will also help to keep the cake moist. 

Because of the texture of the cake, it may seem soft on the top and not baked; however, if a cake tester comes out of the cake clean, it’s time to remove it from the oven before it dries out.

War cake is a “stick to the ribs” substantial, hearty kind of cake. It goes particularly well with a nice cup of tea. 

(Recipe taken from: My Island Bistro Kitchen)

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 pound large, sticky raisins
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/8 tsp mace
• 1/8 tsp cardamon
• 2 cups boiling water
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp soda

Instructions

1. Assemble ingredients.
2. Place the shortening, brown sugar, raisins, salt, spices, and boiling water into a large saucepan. Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium or slightly lower and boil mixture for five minutes. Remove from heat and set saucepan on cooling rack. Let mixture cool to room temperature (4-5 hours), stirring occasionally.
3. In bowl, whisk the flour and baking soda together. Set aside.
4. Grease large tube or Bundt pan.
5. When raisin mixture has cooled completely, add the flour and baking soda. Stir until dry ingredients have been completely mixed into the raisin mixture.
6. Spoon mixture into greased pan. Add a small pan of hot water to lower shelf in oven for moisture while cake is baking. Bake cake on middle rack in 335°F preheated oven. If cake starts to brown on the top too quickly, loosely place a piece of tin foil on top of cake. Bake approximately 1 hour but begin to test cake for doneness, using a cake tester, at the 45-minute point as cake can dry out very quickly.
7. Remove cake from oven and place pan on cooling rack for 10 minutes then remove from pan. Allow cake to cool completely before cutting.

Recipe Notes

[Copyright My Island Bistro Kitchen]

Linda

JFVarejcka@windstream.net

Social Media Communications Officer

Amanda Flener

Share your Spring activities with us by sending photos and captions to: aflener1@gmail.com or tag us in Public posts on Facebook.

We want to share your happenings.

Add the hashtag of #PurpleHeartProud in facebook posts so others can follow your event.

Amanda

aflener1@gmail.com

National Chaplain

Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP

From the Desk of the MOPHA National Chaplain

March 2024

Firstly, humbly giving honor and praise to our Creator for having us present to this date to see this third month of the year of our Lord 2024 arrive. While I find a lot of people focus on New Year’s Resolutions, I have also found that a lot of people find this time of year to focus on being refreshed, renewed and revived as they reflect and strengthen their faith, particularly during the Lenten Season and other religious observances held during this time of year. May I suggest that whatever or wherever your belief or faith is, take time for yourself-take care of yourself which is always in season and the right thing to do, and give thanks to our Creator, in faith.

Memoriam

*Minnie Salazar CO 423(2/17/23)

*Linda Jackson NE 200 (1/24/24) 

*Roberta Henning NE 206 (4/27/23)

*Linda VanDeHei WI 164 (1/26/20)

*Dorothy Will WI 550 2/16/24)

*Gloria Petersen CA 750 (2/6/24)

*Phyllis Titman NE 260 (8/4/23) 

*Maria Yarmon CO 423 (2/2/24)

*Gracie McKinney WI 228 (10/1/20) 

*Maria Nunez TX 1836 (1/15/24)

*Jennie Majcher NML (7/12/22)

*Idabelle Griffin NML (3/21/20)

*Elia Ramacciotti NML (7/17/23)

*Yolanda Tonelli NML (4/28/21)

Special Prayer Request: For the MOPHA Department of Texas for strength as they prepare for their state convention next month.

Prayers for Other Needs/Concerns: Please continue in prayers for known, anonymous and unspoken citizens of the United States of America and others of the world; lift up all those in harm’s way due to snow, wind, fire or other dangerous environments being exposed to during these unique and extraordinary times as we see it. Please continue to keep the unhomed, the poor, the needy and hungry; the sick (hospitalized/homebound shut-ins) for healing; those incarcerated and the lonely; marriages, and all others with needs and concerns in your heart as you would pray for your loved ones or yourself.  

March Birthdays: Happy, Happy Birthday to all of March Birthday Celebrants! May the good Lord keep on blessing you with many more birthdays to come with abundant favor and the desires of your heart.      

Chaplain’s Zoom held on Thursday, 22 February, was a great meeting for those in attendance. Much appreciation to those beautiful ladies who participated and volunteered to share the continuing ‘Inspiration Moment’ or prayer in the upcoming months of our monthly MOPHA Zoom meeting. Added to the theme of encouragement is connection/connecting. Briefly discussed questions to think about: Who, Where, When, What is my faith in? as we share with each other on this journey. Next Chaplain’s Zoom date is to be determined-and you are welcomed to join.

BTW, the National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” You are already making a difference-thank you.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day (17 March)

By special request, I am including a reprint that was shared with me from another time that was enjoyed by many, here it is:   

THE GARDEN

“Come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses…”

For The Garden of Your Daily Living:

Plant Three Rows of Peas:

1. Peace of Mind 2. Peace of Heart 3. Peace of Soul

Plant Four Rows of Squash:

1. Squash Gossip 2. Squash Indifference 3. Squash Grumbling 4. Squash Selfishness

Plant Four Rows of Lettuce (let us): 1. Lettuce be Faithful 2. Let Us be Kind 3. Lettuce be Patient 4. Lettuce really love one another

No Garden is Without Turnips (turn up): 1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3.Turnip to help one another

To Conclude Our Garden, We Must Have THYME (time): 1. Thyme for Each Other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for Friends

Water freely with PATIENCE and Cultivate with LOVE. There is much FRUIT in your garden because you Reap what you Sow. You/we are encouraged to move forward in UNITY-TOGETHERNESS-and I add FORGIVENESS, just as God’s soil, seed, water and the natural fertilizer He provides works together to produce the bounty of blessings we so graciously and deliciously enjoy, so can we. And while in the garden alone to listen to hear the voice of God through the beauty of His nature.

For a moment, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

In the stillness, may you sense HIS constant presence, in HIS constant presence, may you sense HIS constant Love.

Please join in prayer:

Omnipotence, Omnipresent, Omniscience God our Father,

We humbly and gratefully thank You for this day that You have brought us to. We give You the praise for the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the hearts to love/to care and ask for our hearts to care like You do. We ask that You continue to prepare our feet to take us wherever we should go on our journeys to serve with the hands as the servants You have purposed us to be in the role of women; and for all of this Lord, we are thankful to You for giving us the desire to be of service to others, loving one another. Thank You Lord for our forerunners and in the present now for being our Source, our Refuge, and our Strength during all manners of things going on in this world. Father, we pray for hardened hearts to be softened and Your Word to be known to our government and other leaders, the nations; we pray for our children, the Church, health and relationship healings, protection of those in harm’s way; encouragement for the downhearted/demoralized and all humanitarian situations; and, we ask that as You have entrusted us as stewards for our organization You will tender us divine guidance as decisions are made. Thank You Lord for hearing the prayers of other prayer warriors and answering according to Your purpose and plans. All of these requests Lord we humbly submit to You as Your glory and power is revealed. In Your Holy Name. Amen

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Happy Resurrection Sunday, Happy Easter, Happy Passover celebration, Happy Ramadan, Happy Spring or Happy Day- may you have peace, joy and love abundantly! Stay beautiful, stay blessed! 

Humbly,                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Gwendolyn Gilliard

Numbers 6:24-26

Gwendolyn

National Chaplain

Chaplain.MOPHA@Gmail.com

Auxiliary members, the countdown to our convention is rapidly approaching. We are requesting that ALL MEMBERS considering attending the convention be present at our monthly Zoom meeting on March 21st.

Department and Unit Presidents, please make arrangements to attend the meeting.

It will be very important!

Conventions coins, pins, shirts, and Patriot tie are available for purchase on the Department of Florida's website. A link can be found at www.PurpleHeart.org under the "About" page.

Region 1, 3, 6 Liaison

Terri Shattuck, PNP

The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. Now is the time to consider hosting an event in your area for the more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their caregiver's service. Consider hosting a special day in their honor, ask local newspapers to write an article about their experience, have a tree-planting ceremony where each child plants a tree in honor of their Hero. These are only a few ideas that will guide you to prepare for APRIL: THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD.

Terri Shattuck PNP 

Unit 1985 President 

Terri

BTShattuck@gmail.com

Region 4 President

JoAnn Crowley

The Department of Georgia completed their annual popcorn sale. It was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who ordered.

JoAnn

JACroney@gmail.com

Webmaster

Colleen Orfanello

Our Departments and Units have paperwork due in May. PLEASE KNOW that your leadership team is here for you! To make submissions simple, please send in forms that are addressed to Regional Presidents and/or Inspectors to FORMS.MOPHA@GMAIL.COM

Forms that need to be sent or copied to your Department or Unit leadership MUST still be sent to them.

NOTE: INSTALLATION REPORTS ARE SENT DIRECTLY TO NATIONAL SECRETARY JUDY FIDDLER AT MOPHAUXSEC@GMAIL.COM

May 15th UNIT Annual Inspections performed by Department or Region Presidents are sent to FORMS.MOPHA@Gmail.com

May 15th Unit and Department Installations Reports due to National Secretary (due immediately after Installation but no later than May 31st). Units, send to Department Secretary (if applicable)

Also, if you need assistance with a hybrid or ZOOM meeting, please let me know.

LASTLY, If you could choose speakers to address our Auxiliary, what would the topic be?

Let us know on Thursdays Zoom or email me at the email below:

Colleen

webmaster.MOPHA@Gmail.com

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.