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MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING
Thursday May 15, 2025
8 PM EST / 7PM CST / 6 PM MST/ 5 PM PST
All Members and Patriots 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
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National President
Fran Holtgreven
Can you believe the month of May 2025 is halfway over? This has been a busy month for all the Departments and Units of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary. I hope that you had or will have a great time at your Department Conventions and that business and camaraderie was enjoyed by all in attendance. Units have elected their officers for the new year and completed many projects last year. National has been busy with attending Conventions, making sure forms are filled out and sent into the Auxiliary member of officers who are to receive them and doing much planning for the MOPH and MOPHA National Convention in Reno.
If you have not filled out your forms and the date says it should already be
sent to the chair or officer, it is not too late to fill the form out. Do it now and send this information by May 30, 2025. National is in need of these forms for several reasons. (1) We like to know what our members are doing to help Veterans. (2) We use this information when asking for donations, so the people interested in donating can see where and where their monies are used to help the Organization. (3) The chairs or officers that the forms go to have to fill out a yearly report. (4) Departments and Units read what others are doing and it gives them new ideas. (5) The National Secretary needs to put this information in the Convention book she prepares. This is very important since the 92nd Convention is early this year, and it takes a great deal of time to prepare the booklets for the people who attend to take back to Departments and Units and share with their members. Please remember that the registration and room registration is on our website along with other information about the 92nd National Convention. Please send in your registrations as soon as possible so that we have a count of those who will be attending. Also, please fill the registration out for the Auxiliary ONLY. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will answer your questions or will find the answers for you. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Purple Hearts are Wild in Reno convention.
National Mental Health Awareness Month, National Military Appreciation
Month, National Salad Month, National Osteoporosis Month, Older Americans Month, and National Hamburger Month are just a few of what the month of May celebrates. But one of the most important “days” that I feel should be included in the month category, should be National Military Spouse Appreciation “month” not day. Military spouses often suffer long term separations, insecurity, frequent moves and the constant fear of losing their spouse, so the spouse needs much support and that requires in my opinion a Month not a day. I did not meet my husband, Bill, until after he was home from Viet Nam. I did not have to go through what many of you went through. Although, my daughter, went through this when her husband served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and I saw it firsthand in her eyes. That is another reason I am so proud of all the Auxiliary members of what you accomplished during this time and you are still accomplishing so much to our Patriots and all Veterans. So, HAPPY NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION MONTH, not day to all!! Thank you for all you have done!
Fran
Fran.MOPHA@Gmail.com
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National Secretary
Judy Fiddler
Hi Everyone...At this time, your annual reports were due to each of the National Chairpersons by May 1 so they may compile them to turn into National by May 31. Your Installation report is due no later than May 31 as well. National Officers...your reports are due to me by May 31...that includes a year end summary from the Department Presidents, Region Presidents and National Officers. Due to the time constraints that the National Convention has put on me, I have no leeway to give for late reports.
At this time...I would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the National Auxiliary. We were Chartered on May 21, 1933. Celebrate the remarkable past 92 years with a cupcake and a wish that this organization continues to prosper and support our Veterans.
Please don't hesitate to register for the National Convention. The form is available on our website. The sooner we have a head count, the better we can determine our costs.
Enjoy your spring and hopefully we will see you on ZOOM.
YIP...Judy
Judy
mophauxsec@gmail.com
330-880-3364
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National Americanism Officer, Sgt at Arms, VAVS Rep, and CDCE Grant coordinator
Linda Varejcka
1. Through the National Advisory Committee last Tuesday May 6th, I participated in a Webex. Webinar; VA center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
VA S.A.V. E. Suicide Prevention Training.
VAVS (Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service) Representatives and Deputy Representatives: A VAVS Rep or Dep is an appointed role. And the actual certification is done by the Organizations National Certifying Official, (which at this time is me Linda Varejcka) for the MOPHA. upon the recommendation of the respective Department President's. As a representative or deputy representative you have a responsibility to be knowledgeable about the rules, regulations, policies and programs of the VAVS program. The VAVS program, is under the management of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA). It provides for the community participation in the VA program of care and treatment of veteran patients.
Through this program, community volunteers efforts and resources are combined to serve America's veterans by VA staff in such settings as hospital wards, nursing homes, ambulatory care, domiciliary, community-based volunteer programs, end of life care programs, veterans outreach centers, national cemeteries, and Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) regional offices.
A goal is to ensure that the VAVS program is supportive of the VA's mission. Each medical center has a VAVS Committee made up or organizations whose members participate at the local level in the VAVS program for veteran patients. Each organization may certify one Representative and up to three, Deputy Representatives to the medical center's VAVS Committee. Recruitment of volunteers is "the" most important responsibility of an VAVS Representative and is to be accomplished through you Unit and/or Department. Representative or Deputy Representatives in Representative absence are required to attend quarterly meetings to discuss the volunteer program. An organization will be removed if three consecutive meetings are missed.
This is just a short scope for what a VAVS volunteer is and where they serve in the VA establishments. For more information, please let me know or information on how you can become a Rep or Deputy/Rep in your VA facility.
| VA VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING A... | |
FIND ME! I look like this (but you'll have to find my hidden version to win a prize!
And lastly, but certainly not least... this is a friendly reminder to find the hidden hot-air balloon within each issue of General Orders, a hidden image (pictured in this article) will be available for you to find. When you find it, email me with the location, before the beginning of the upcoming Zoom meeting and a name will be drawn from those lucky enough to have found the hot air balloon. The winner will be announced during Zoom and a prize will be awarded.
Linda
jfvarejcka@windstream.net
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National Chaplain
Gwendolyn Gilliard
FROM THE DESK of MOPHA NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
MAY 2025
May continues as the 5th month of the year with the new, fresh beginnings, as it is a month full of many events (a few are listed below) going on this time of year. Beautiful variety of flowers and plants, lots of sunshine and rain, as well as warmer days coming out displaying God’s glory. Of course the pollen and allergies we can certainly live without, however, I am thankful for the availability of meds. While all activities matters, the one that stands out the most that I can think of immediately is Mother’s Day. I recall it being mentioned that it is the one day of the year other than Christ mas when church attendance is at the highest. The most read popular Bible reading is found in Proverbs 31 about the virtuous woman (still a work in progress). However, I like to encourage the women of today to think of themselves as warriors raising or continuing to nurture her children (including their “grown folks”) through their lifetime commitment preparing them for the on-going battles of this world. May I encourage you/her/them to read about the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18 that all Mothers, wives, women and all can use to defend and claim victory over the wiles and society of this world for her/our children (birthed, adopted, spiritual or extended family member) and self? This too shall be a way to pass down to them what faith looks and lives like as part of our legacy to them as we pass on the goodness of God. Thank you-bless you.
One other thing I’d like to share with you is about the precious memories for those of us whose mothers are no longer physically present with us. I am so grateful for those memories that I can relive about my mother whom I consider the ‘Best Mom’ in the world and embodied the being of a godly and the virtuous woman. I set up a special area in my dining room with pictures of her, my grandmothers, my sisters, my mother-in-law, my aunts and other female lineage for our children to see and be able to recall from whence they came (other than being created by God) on the matriarchal side. When I first shared this with them from this perspective, they were in awe and of course great appreciation. Being the youngest of my family, they did not have the opportunity to meet most of them (nor did I). However, the pictures, memories and stories passed down shared works wonders from the ancestry side.
In Sympathy and Memoriam for Bereaved Families
Almighty God in His Infinite Wisdom called to their Eternal Reward the following Members
(Always sad to share but never too late to Pray, express Condolences, or send cards for God’s Comforter)
“… mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15
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*Denise Sewell NML (3/7/19)
*Margaret Ball NML (3/8/22)
*Elizabeth Luce NML (6/2/13)
*Catherine Carroll MI DML (6/25/06)
*Posey Steitle TX 1836 (5/26/22)
*Leona Selton NML (2/9/02)
*Evelyn Baii MI DML (4/16/11)
*Therese Gersich MI DML (5/3/23)
*Sarah Sullivan NML (5/9/13)
*Lena Ianuzzi NML (3/17/14)
*Martha Pullum NML (11/19/22)
*Betty Samuelson MN DML (3/23/20)
*Evelyn Suzore NML (11/5/11)
*Monica Hinkley MI DML (9/19/16
*Leona Lempke MI DML 9/5/08)
*Vivian Stoner NML (11/12/14)
*Robert Velasquez MI DML (12/2709)
*Mildred Valadez TX 1836 (6/3/16)
*Mary Kidd MI DML 4/20/2017
*Shirley LeClaire MI DML (2/4/15)
*Marilyn Wellman (NML) (2/26/16)
*Daisy Patterson (NML (11/14/2024)
* Mary Louise Glann (NML) 2/9/23
*Carlene Benson (NML (10/23/20)
*Ash Mary Ann (NML) 11/21/20
*Norma Farmer NML 11/21/20)
*Geraldine Brown (NML) 1/13/23
*Jacqueline Baker (NML 9/5/21)
*Betty Calhoun (NML) 10/16/20
*Alice Parish NML (7/27/19)
*Ann Karam (NML) 12/19/22
*Gayle Snow NML (12/19/22)
*Lila Day (NML) 5/10/22
*Florentine Berube NML (7/7/23)
*Joanne Cyr (NML) 2/25/21
*Frances McHale NML (12/14/01)
*Dorothy Fanning (NML) 5/13/24
*Annie Josey GA 492 (8/22/07)
*Grace Little (NML) 9/20/24
*Virginia Crislip NML (6/1/24)
*Martha Farish NML (1/9/20)
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Prayers Requests: Let us continue in prayer for cards to be sent:
*Barbara Counihan (Past National Treasurer/Past NE Dept. President): Had second right hip surgery from a couple of years and is in rehabilitation at: Brookstone Village Room 111B, 4330 S. 144th St., Omaha NE 68137 email: bcounihan49@gmail.com
*Donna Schroeder’s son Bruce has shared that is mother (a long time member) is in Hospice care at the address below:
Donna M. Schroeder, The Courtyard at Sussex, W235 N6350 Hickory Drive, Apt 136, Sussex, WI 53089 or Donna M. Schroeder c/o Bruce A. Marshall, W7370 Morningside Drive, Phillips, WI 54555
(Note: Please let me know if you desire to have your prayer request shared. Thank you.)
Continue in prayer for people: those grieving, the homebound/hospitalized/sick and shut-in; the survivors of all incidents of terrorism, violence, devastating environmental and societal effects, and other changes. Please remember to include our Nation, government, religious and political leaders as well as other worldly affairs and changes negatively affecting lives; our military, protectors (police, firemen, etc.), volunteers, front line workers, caregivers; medical and educational professionals, field workers in other services for people, missionaries; the unhomed, needy and hungry; those who are lonely, disenfranchised, demoralized or incarcerated; those unspoken requests with many other needs and concerns for health, family, healing, finances other matters.
Prayers for all Department Conventions being held. Praise God! Thank God for what He is/has/will do.
Prayers for Other Concerns: New mothers, Graduates; Newlyweds.
| May Birthdays: Happy, Happy Birthday to all of our May Birthday Celebrants (and National Auxiliary). May the good Lord keep on blessing you with many more birthdays to come with abundant favor and the desire of your heart. Share your birthday or anniversary date so we can share in your celebration. May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley/Hawthorn. Birthstone: Emerald. | |
Next Chaplain’s Zoom will be the fourth Thursday, 22 May 2025, 7:00 p/m. CST and other times accordingly. Looking forward to having you join us.
May Observances: (some have passed)
By months:
Asian American Month, Barbecue Month, Blood Pressure, Date Your Mate Month, Haitian Heritage Month, Lupus Awareness Month, Old Americans Month, Recommitment Month, Salsa Month, Hamburger Month, National Salad Month, National Photograph Month, National Senior Health/Fitness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Gold Star Awareness Month
By Days:
1 National Prayer Day, Hawaiian Lei Day, May Day, Mother Goose Day, Loyalty Day
4 World Laughter Day,
5 Cinco de Mayo, International Day of the Midwife
6 National Teachers Day, National Foster Care Day, No Diet Day
6-13 National Nurses Week
7 Tourism Day
8 World Red Cross Day
9 National Day Care Provider Day
9 Military Spouse Appreciation Day
10 Birth Mother’s Day (the Saturday before Mother’s Day
11 Mother’s Day
12 International Nurses Day
13 Navy Nurse Corps 117th Birthday
15 Police Officer’s Memorial Day
17 Armed Forces Day
18 International Museum Day
19 Boy’s Club Day, World Plant a Vegetable Garden Day
21 National Waiters and Waitress Day
23 Don’t Fry Friday (the Friday before Memorial Day), Lucky Penney Day
25 Missing Children’s Day, Tap Dance Day
26 Memorial Day Observance
27 Sunscreen Day
28 Amnesty International Day, World Hunger Day
30 Flip Flop Day, Mint Julep Day, Water a Flower Day, International Jazz Day
31 World Smile Day, Save Your Hearing Day, World No Tobacco Day
Peep at a few June Observances:
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, effective Communications Month, Candy Month, National Iced Tea Month, Rose Month, Great Outdoors Month, Dairy Month, Day: 1 Frozen Yogurt Day, World Milk Day, 2 National Rocky Road Day, 3 World Bicycle Day, 4 National Cheese Day, 5 Hot Air Balloon Day, 6 W-Day WWII, 7 National Trails Day, 8 Best Friends Day, 9 Donald Duck Day, 10 Herb and Spices Day, 11 National Children’s Day, Making Life Beautiful Day, 12 Nursing Assistants Day, 13 Sewing Machine Day, 14 Flag Day, Global Wind Day, National Prune Day
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Please join in prayer and according to your faith:
Our Heavenly Father and Mighty God,
Thank you for this and every opportunity presented…You gift us to be able to come before Your Throne of Grace and Mercy in prayer with any and all of our human concerns and needs. To You alone belongs the honor, glory, praise and power-forever and ever. Your faithfulness encompasses human knowledge and understanding, thank You Lord. Your love resonates so very strongly and loudly as You have shown us how faithful You are regardless to the world’s situation or view; You are present with us daily-never leaving us alone, in every situation-every breath we breathe, every step taken-thank You Lord, thank You that in Your kindness-Your love, You continue to give us Hope. Yes Lord, here we are with the same prayer requests, same concerns that we had before and then some, yesterday and it seems that we’ll have tomorrow, forgive us Father for being weak vessels but we trust in You to strengthen us. Your Word encourages us to come to You, seeking you and asking You in reverence to You, here we are again, as humbly as we know how. Thank You for loving us.
Loving Omnipotent God, these past few days, weeks/months, in our human lives, have been so difficult, so challenging with what seems like overwhelming environmental occurrences; human devastation and losses; confusing adverse worldly events of, political, legal, health, education, not least Dear God-our religious-spiritual needs and growth; daily personal losses of loved ones; and all that is prevalent in the world today, we humbly ask for Your infinite wisdom and generous Mercy and Comfort, thank You.
Gracious Lord, for all victims and families, for all our Patriots, for all and Auxiliary members and families, friends and acquaintances, losses, and others whom You know by name that have needs/concerns at this time, we ask for restoration and overall healing, healing of our hearts and souls, healing of our land, we ask that this prayer covers all throughout the world as well as this journey is travelled. Lord, we ask for You to continue to provide our earthly Protectors and Caregivers with a shield of protection around them as You orchestrate their purpose, thank You. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. Thank You for the sacrifices made by our military personnel who died in the line of duty during their time in America’s armed forces; as we take time to remember and memorialize their courageous sacrifices, help us to comfort those family and friends left behind through Your Grace. And, for the Mothers of past, present and future, maternal, spiritual, adopted, or extended that you have blessed us, thank You. Thank You for the legacy, thank You for the precious memories. May Your strength, please, we ask keep us strong warriors for our families; as we purposefully shall remain thankful, with hearts of gratitude being blessed, in faith, hope, love, peace and forgiveness of others as we want to be forgiven, seeking in Your righteousness; and continuing in trusting, believing, declaring victory in Your blessings. May our words always be kind seasoned with Your gentleness and Your wisdom, in the Your Holy Name. Amen!
"Her children shall rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her. Many women have done excellently but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 3:28-29
“Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you.” Psalm 129:8
Please pass-it-on to others, thank you. Have a safe and blessed May! Happy and Joyful Mother’s Day! Have a Meaningful Tribute Memorial Day (“Fallen but Not Forgotten”)
Humbly In Patriotism, Peace, Prayer, Love and Service,
Gwendolyn Gilliard
Chaplain.MOPHA@Gmail.com
MOPHA National Chaplain
Numbers 6:24-26
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We are thrilled to welcome the following members into our Purple Heart Family:
Jessica Buchanan OR Unit 72
Catherine Gonzales OR Unit 72
Alexis Justice WI DML
Heather Ryan-Figueroa CO Unit 423
Paige Figueroa CO Unit 423
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Region 1,6 Liaison
PNP Terri Shattuck
National President Fran Holtgreven and members of the MOPHA will be representing us during the annual National Memorial Day event in Arlington National Cemetery.
She will be honoring our fallen brothers and sisters in patriotism by presenting a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown.
You can also represent the MOPHA at your local veterans cemetery by serving lemonade, cleaning unkempt headstones, or assisting with parking or greeting responsibilities. There are countless ways that you can make a difference.
Our motto is to serve Veterans. This type of service should never end weather we are helping the living or honoring the fallen. If you wish to share what your Unit or Department is doing to continue the legacy of service, send photos to AFlener1@gmail.com
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National Region 2 President
Linda Bellis
Unit and Chapter 91 continues with bringing joy to their Veterans with DONUTS and Activity Books!!! They love each holiday decorated donuts...this time it was EASTER!
Past region 2 President Larabel turned over greeting each Veteran to Linda McKinney, Past President-Unit 91. She is a great communicator and loves our Veterans. This had enabled her and Patriot Doug time to oversee the day's activities.
They also delivered several large bags of bird seed for the Veterans to enjoy feeding their birds.
On April 17, 2025 Doug & Karen went to Western University, Kalamazoo for Doug to present on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart a Leadership Achievement Certificate, Medal, and Check to ROTC Cadet Lily Olson. She is on her way to becoming a great Officer in her future.
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REGION 2 and the Department of Nebraska has made HISTORY!
The first male Auxiliary President was installed on May 3, 2025. Josh Peterson, an Army Veteran, is honoring his grandfather, Larry Meyer's service, as he takes the oath. Patriot Meyer served in Vietnam.
| | The Purple Heart Magazine is in need of a liaison. Please reach out to editor Leighton if you are interested. | |
A word from your webmaster
Friends, we are in need of a headcount for the upcoming National Convention.
Please register on our website, PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org.
If you need help with your reports, please feel free to contact me. The reports are also listed on our website under the "members only" tab.
A reminder that anyone can submit photos, articles, or notices to the Purple Heart Magazine. The deadline for the May/June issue is June 15, 2025. Send your submissions to Publications@Purpleheart.org.
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CONVENTON NEWS: Time is running out to submit an ad in the Convention magazine! For details, click here:
REGISTRATION for Patriots can be found HERE:
REGISTRATION for AUXILIARY MEMBERS can be found HERE:
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AND... ONCE AGAIN...
we will never ever ever ask for money, gift cards, reimbursements of gifts, etc.
Every year, hackers get more sneaky and their emails look very real. Some even use names and realistic scenarios.
DO NOT give them money, a reply, or even open these emails.
Before you think about opening an email that you think is fraud, check with us first.
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