National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

A Happy New Year to Everyone:

As we venture into the unknown of the New Year, I thought about this message that a wise and wonderful lady shared many years ago…

TEN little members standing in a line;

One disliked the President and then there were nine.

NINE ambitious members offered to work late;

One forgot her promise and then there were eight.

EIGHT creative members had ideas good as Heaven;

One lost enthusiasm and then there were seven.

SEVEN loyal members got into a fix;

They quarreled over programs and then there were six.

SIX members remained with spirit and drive;

One moved away and then there were five.

FIVE steadfast members wished there were more;

One became indifferent and then there were four.

FOUR cheerful members who never disagreed;

Until one complained and then there were three.

THREE eager members! What do they do?

One got discouraged and then there were two.

TWO lovely members, we are nearly done;

One joined a bridge club and then there was one.

ONE faithful member was feeling rather blue;

Met with a neighbor and then there were two.

TWO earnest members, each enrolled one more;

Doubling their members and then there were four.

FOUR determined members just couldn’t wait;

Until each won another and then there were eight.

EIGHT excited members, signed up sixteen more;

in another six verses, there’ll be……..

One thousand twenty-four!

Look at the possibilities that could happen if we look for the positive in the world. We really don’t need a membership that is in name only…we need people who will do the work and show our Veterans that we care. Please…if anyone is interested in the position of National Secretary, step up and let our President or me know. It is a very fulfilling feeling when you see a task at hand is accomplished.

Thank you, Dar Schuff, for sharing this message many years ago.

Yours in Patriotism,

Judy

mophauxsec@gmail.com

330-880-3364

National Communications Officer

Amanda Flener, PNP

Happy New Year!

A friendly reminder to send in sharable content to me at AFlener1@gmail.com. It's not too late to send in holiday activities. Many units and Departments are celebrating George Washington's Birthday in the next few weeks. Send in those photos!

Amanda

Aflener1@gmail.com

National Parliamentarian

Jan Knapp

Greetings Auxiliary members,

I’ve served as the National Parliamentarian for several years now yet, never did an article for this newsletter. It’s time to change it up! To enlighten you and hopefully encourage someone to consider being nominated for this position at our convention, I want to provide some friendly insight. While having a parliamentarian at our conventions is required, it is seldom that the parliamentarian is asked to intervene. When it does occur, it can be a simple fix or at times a bit more complicated and one that requires a bit of knowledge or even research. Here’s the thing though, many of our long-time members are very knowledgeable and since we don’t require our parliamentarian to be a certified professional, the majority of the time we can easily resolve any disputes in procedure or standard practice situations. It is common to rely on the knowledge of others and IT IS PART OF HOW WE LEARN.

Anyone that holds this position should (and will) be part of committees that work on bylaws and resolutions. Those committees and a book on Robert’s Rules are key to getting the answers needed to follow parliamentary procedures.

If I may add this – if it is a bylaw question, always follow up with the Article and Section of the bylaw so the member knows you didn’t just pull an answer out of your hat. That is important for many reasons but mostly so you know you’re giving the most updated information. As we all know Bylaws do change.

On a personal note, all is well at my home but Florida is not warm right now. Yes, I am a snowbird!

Happy New Year to everyone.

Jan

parl.mopha@gmail.com

National Chaplain

Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP

New Year January 2025

New Year 2025 Greetings Everyone!

Here we are present in 2025, PTL! Although it did not start out on the kind of celebration most of us are accustomed to welcoming the New Year and still finding it quite the adjustment in terms of the history that has been made and lives affected with the demise of 39^th President Carter, the NOLA Bourbon Street Terrorist Bombing, and the California Wildfire Destruction. You are encouraged to stand strong TOGETHER and still trust God during these times. Yes! Even while we live in this changing world, HE has not, He has not left us alone, He is the only constant Who keeps His promises. And, YES! Let us continue to pray in each our own faith and serve when, how and where we can while journeying through our humanitarian issues, environmental challenges, societal strife of devastating affects throughout the nation-throughout the world. Please remember, we don’t have to be perfect at doing anything but just have a heart’s desire to “do something.” Through it all TRUST GOD in everything! And as mentioned at another time, of course, PRAY and keep the FAITH and HOPE, please continue to keep those individuals affected in any way in your prayer and receive your blessing too.

National Americanism Officer, Sgt at Arms, VAVS Rep, and CDCE Grant coordinator

Linda Varejcka

Patriotism/Americanism:

GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Here are few facts as I researched from the "Encyclopedia Britannica". Maybe do some "George Washington Trivia" as you celebrate George Washington's birthday with your Chapter or Unit in February.

George Washington is known as "Father of His Country", was 1st President of the U.S. (1789-1797), Commanded Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775-1783 and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Capital is named after him, as many schools, parks and cities. His face appears on the U.S. dollar bill and quarter.

He was born February 22, 1732 (February 11, 1731 old Style) Confused yet? I was. "February 11, 1731 old style" refers to George Washington's birthday according to the Julian calendar, which was the calendar used when he was born, meaning his actual birthdate would be recorded as February 11, 1731, (for the 1st 20 years of his life the Julian calendar was used) but when the "Gregorian" Calendar was adopted in 1852 adding a year and 11days, this one time change caused most birthdays to shift eleven days. So, in the case of Washington's birthday, it shifted to February 22, 1732. Therefore February 11 (old style) to February 22nd (new style). He was born at Pope Creek Plantation near the Potomac River, Westmoreland County, Virginia U.S. He was born into a wealthy family and was educated privately.  (1748-1749) as a teenager he starts a career as a surveyor. (1759) Married Martha Dandridge Curtis. (watch for more about her in another article) March 30, 1789, was inaugurated as the 1st president of the U.S. in New York City, which was serving as the country's capital and delivered his first inaugural address. He declined to serve a 3rd term (setting a 144-year precedent) retiring in 1797. He delivered is "Farewell Address on Sept 1796 and retired in March 1797 to Mount Vernon where he passed away, dying of a throat infection that he contacted after riding on horseback for hours in cold and snow, on December 14, 1799, and is buried at Mount Vernon. 

Americans celebrated his birthday long before congress declared it a federal holiday. (1879) his birthday was formally made a legal holiday for Federal employees in the District of Columbia. (1971) Presidents Day was changed to the 3rd Monday in February. According to 2004 National Achieves, congress voted to move some holidays to Monday because of concerns about absenteeism among government workers when holiday falling on mid-week and also noting a benefit to the economy including boost to retail sales and travel on a 3-day weekend.

Please feel free to read about George's many military facts.  

And of course, what we definitely remember and celebrate him for is the first U.S. military decoration, instituted by him in 1782 and awarded for bravery in action. the records show that only three men received it during the American revolution, all of them noncommissioned officers. Two of these coveted badges still exit. The original medal, sewn onto the coat, was simply a purple heart-shaped piece of cloth edged with silver braid. this was the medal of honor of the Revolution, but it was forgotten for about 150 years. Then on the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth, marked the revival of the award (February 22, 1932. (and you know the rest of the story)

National Region 2 President

Linda Bellis

Happy new year! I know everyone is doings their new resolutions for the coming year. I know I do and some of them have been broken already. But this past year has taught me a lot about the little things. I received two concussions, one in February and one in May both school related. Through my ongoing therapy for my head it's the little things that matter. I'm also dealing with a torn bicep and rotator cuff. My husband isn't happy about this as I do the snowblower and he doesn't know how to really work it. Lucky very little snow here in MN. At least he's so far happy about it. What I've learned through all of this is doing my exercises 2x's a day is it will help me for my future.  It makes me think of our veterans in nursing homes on how to keep their minds and bodies working. My mom loved word search book. I still have some left. I now have to do them to focus my eyes. So, my past year has given me a better light into our aging health. I will be buying more word search, crossword puzzles and other books for them. Also, more cards, and card games from the dollar store. I also discovered from my therapist exercises classes on PBS station. Stretching exercises, chair exercises with brain functions. I'm a morning person so classes that start at 6:00am are no problem. However, I do follow them on their website through You Tube to do at other times. I really enjoy these. You only need your body and a chair. I have talked to my contacts at the nursing homes, and they were not aware of these programs. At least we can keep them moving in a slow easy way.  I also need to thank Collen Orfanello for introducing us to Tai Chi at the national convention. It's slow movements in breathing and gentle stretching. This improves balance. We can all work on this.  It's the little things that we can do to improve ourselves and others. When things get tough, I count my blessings. I have my health, warm bed and food in my kitchen. But most important I have LOVE of my family. Remember it's the small little things that make our day-to-day life run. I work with the mentally challenged students at school. They know about the little things that matter. We get the power of a good heart felt hug and remember just to breathe. So thing of the littles things that you can do to help out veterans and yourselves. The veterans are so thankful for everything that you do for them. Sit down and have a cup of coffee or tea and some chocolate you deserve it.

Linda "Bellis"

Region 2 President

lbellis719@msn.com

National Region 5 President

Kay Jo Baucom, PNP

Courage, by definition, means to face a challenge or challenges without regards to personal safety or harm. It doesn’t mean there is no fear or worry; it simply means moving forward anyway. Courage is a word to live by because it represents everything our service men and women display as they face the unknown challenges of our world - veterans have been the embodiment of this character trait for centuries.

Courage is my buzz word for this month because so many of our Auxiliary members face daily challenges as caregivers. The courage they display is done so graciously, humbly, and unselfishly. Tirelessly, these men and women, face unknown circumstances daily, hourly and often times, minute by minute. Caregivers offer integrity, self-respect and dignity to our Patriots and they have more than earned the care, support, and any accolades we can provide. It takes courage to care for those who can no longer care for themselves independently and who may or may not be accepting of the care offered. Courage would not be a term used by those who are caregivers to describe themselves, however, courage allows them to face each new day.

As an organization family, let’s focus on the courage each member demonstrates as care is given to family members, friends, and yes, even strangers. Our mission is to serve and what better way to do so than by applauding, supporting and caring for those first cared and protected us 

Kay Jo

KarenBaucom8@gmail.com

National Region 5 President

Doris Williams

Happy New Year from Region 5!



As we enter 2025, I challenge all members of Region 5 to add at least one new member to their existing chapter. Let’s all embrace this new year with renewed energy and dedication to enhance the lives of our fellow patriots and their families. 

Helping others is not always about giving them money or material things. Some people just need a shoulder to cry on or some good advice. You don’t necessarily have to be friends with someone to be there for them. This is simply about being human and caring about other people’s well-being. Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” Mohammad Ali”.

Region 5 Commander and Auxiliary President will be recognizing a Region 5 Patriot & Spouse of the year along with an auxiliary member of the year. Nominations will be accepted during the following months, January, February and March. Send all nominations and a short list of accomplishment for the year 2024 to region5mophaux@gmail.com. 

As we close out the year 2024, I would like to share with you a few highlights of the year.

Chapter 1876 and Unit 1876 partnered with Armed Forces E9 Association for the annual Harker Heights Fire Department Toy Drive, which was held on December 14, 2024, at the Armed Forces E9 Headquarters, 699 E Veterans Memorial Blvd, Harker Heights, TX. Between these two organizations over 150 toys were donated for the children of this community.

Doris

region5mophaux@gmail.com