MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING

Thursday, March 16, 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

Recently I was at one of the VA medical centers with my husband and as usual I was people watching. It was early morning- we prefer that time for our appointments-and things were moving along. Hoping that we would not be late for our time, we got to our designated area just minutes before being "tardy”. You had to mask up and check in-and we did so. Not surprisingly, we encountered numerous veterans at every turn, and for the most part, they were friendly. It always amazes me to see firsthand, the bond the military experience creates. No matter the time, or location, Ronnie can find a fellow service man or woman and carry on a conversation like they had known one another for years. The body language of the military is evident as well. There is an air of respect for self and also for those in the vicinity, as the stance is erect and eye contact is straightforward. I am in awe of this brotherhood (which includes women veterans) and celebrate the fact that sharing and caring is what they do for each other. “Got your back” is significant and each one matters. There were disabled veterans, long haired, hippy type veterans, motorcycle veterans, veterans with scooters. canes and wheelchairs, younger guys and girl veterans, fashionistas and lounge wear lovers. Lots of hearings aids were noticed and louder voices used for those without theirs. But the one thing that truly stood out to me, was the number of women caring for a veteran. In my head, of course, I knew that fact to be true but to see with open heart and opened eyes, I was touched. The realization of the caregiving role so many of us assume was on full display. I don’t know the relationships of those I observed, but I felt the caring, compassionate attitudes and witnessed the actions. At every avenue, hallway, waiting area or on the trek to the examination room, I saw these women. I believe they are also heroes- super heroes if you will - for without this support and care, many of the veterans would not still be with us. They wore no cape, or caps, or medals. They did not voice complaint (and many were assisting some challenging veterans) and performed their duties with love, respect and dignity. I was awestruck, humbled and proud to be among these women. They are the unsung heroes of everyday routines and may there always be enough women to go around to meet the needs of our veterans!!! Look for yourselves if you have the chance - it is a beautiful portrait in living color.

Kay Jo

karenbaucom8@gmail.com

National Senior Vice President

Barbara Hale Ray

SISTERHOOD

The month of March showcases Women History Month. During this month,

this is where women all over the world collectively are realizing that working

together will allow us to fight for a society that meets our basic human

needs.

During this month, we celebrate women who have made history in all kind

of leadership roles and highlights achievements that have changed many

lives.

Women have been fighting to make changes to their quality of life for centuries. On February 28, 1909, in New York City, the first Women’s History Day was marked in the United States. This was where over 15,000 women marched for garment factory workers protesting their working conditions.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the first pioneers for women’s rights and suffrage. In 1848, she spearheaded the first Women’s Right’s Convention in Seneca Falls, New York where she wrote the Declaration of Sentiments. Here she also collaborated with Susan B. Anthony fighting for the 13 th Amendment which ended slavery. Working together, they founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). There was a rival group called the American Woman Suffrage Association led by Lucy Stone, Henry Blackwell and Julia Ward Howe. While the National Woman Suffrage Associated (NWSA) advocated for a range of reforms to make women equal members of society, the AWSA

focused solely on the vote to attract as many supporters as possible. But unlike the NWSA, the AWSA supported the Fifteen Amendment that granted African American men the right to vote. The AWSA quickly became the more popular organization because it was more moderate in its aims. While the National Woman Suffrage Association advocated for a range of reforms to make women equal

members of society, the AWSA focused solely on the vote to attract as many supporters as possible. In 1890 the two competing organizations merged to become the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

From the beginning of time it seems as if the right for women to move forward has met many challenges. However, being part of a group of resilient women afforded us to make mistakes and to grow from those

mistakes. We have formed an association or society of women that may be linked by common interest, religion or trade. A Sisterhood can create strong bonds that may last forever. Being part of a Sisterhood could bring a sense of belonging to women who might feel isolated and alone. It is found that having s sense of belonging is so important to women and girls. The acceptance by the group can help women show growth within themselves.

Barbara

BarbaraR.MOPHA@gmail.com

National Junior Vice President

Fran Holtgreven

The bluebonnets are making their presence known here in Texas this week. By next week they will be in full bloom, and I am so excited that this year there is an abundance of blooms all along the side of the roads, in the pastures and fields and in my yard this year. A new beginning is awakening here in South Texas, Spring has sprung! A new beginning will also be taking place in the Military Order of the

Purple Heart Auxiliary in the next few months. MOPHA Departments will be having their conventions and election of officers and MOPHA Units will be having their elections for the new year. Now is the time for all Auxiliary members to start thinking of how they can make their Department or Unit “bloom” in the coming year by stepping up to

become an officer. Our Departments and Units throughout the country are having a hard time filling their Installation Report. Please, think twice or three times, of committing to helping your Department or Unit

by just saying “yes” I would be honored to accept a position to keep the MOPHA “blooming” this year.

If you are uncomfortable with accepting an officer position this year,

Auxiliary members can still keep the MOPHA “blooming” by watching, learning and becoming more involved in how our organization runs. We need to spread our seeds to make the next year “bloom”.

Remember, it takes a lot of “blooms” to make the MOPHA the beautiful and helpful organization it has become.

Fran

Fran.MOPHA@gmail.com

2023 National Convention will be held August 14-August 18th. Our elections will take place on Thursday August 17th and a reception-style party entitled "The Louisiana Experience" will take place on Thursday evening. Meetings for the Patriots will be completed on Friday Morning August 18th. Be sure to extend your stay until Friday August 18th. We will be hosting a resource fair filled with informative information, classes, and seminars that will enhance your life and the lives of our beloved Veterans.

National Webmaster

Colleen Orfanello, PNP

There are many things to celebrate this month including National Womens Month and the 50th Anniversary of the last troops departing Vietnam. So congratulations to the women who have laid the foundation before us in our amazing organization. And a huge "WELCOME HOME", to our Nation's Heroes from the Vietnam War. Please send us photos from your "Welcome Home" Activities and send them to Amanda at AFlener1@gmail.com

Also, We have been notified of spam mail "supposedly" from our National President, Kay Jo Baucom. Please know that leadership WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER< ask for donations in the form of gift cards, or money, or anything via email. These are scams a=so please refrain from opening them.

Colleen

webmaster.mopha@gmail.com

National Secretary

Judy Fiddler

Welcome Spring…we have made it through the winter…some of us easier than others.

It is that time again to start working on Installation of your officers for the year 2023 - 2024. I have already begun to receive reports. Please verify ALL the information on the report before submitting them to me. That would include the correct spelling, current address, phone number and the officer’s current email address. The Installation report can be found on the new website:

                                           purpleheartauxiliary.org

All Installation reports are due by May 31, 2023 either postmarked through the mail or by attaching it to an email to:

                                          mophauxsec@gmail.com

I will be sending you a confirmation of receipt (even if received by mail). IF you do not hear from me, consider it has NOT been received. Also, on the website is the registration form for the National Convention. Please fill it out and submit by mail (with check) or by email (for credit card). You will also receive a confirmation by email. And YES, I have begun to receive this as well. PLEASE NOTE: The National Convention this year is a four (4) day event…Monday, August 14 through Thursday, August 17, 2023. Travel days are Sunday and Friday. However, the Department of Louisiana has set-up a Fun Day on Sunday, August 13. You can take advantage of the trip to New Orleans by arriving on Saturday August 12. Please see the registration information on our website. There is an additional cost per person for the trip. And finally, the Constitution and By-Laws are available for purchase. Cost is only $13.00 (check made out to MOPHA).

Mike and I wish all of you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and a Blessed Easter.

Yours in Patriotism,

Judy

MOPHAUXSEC@gmail.com

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

Linda Varejcka

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29th of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

(The below was sent to Jim by Jerry Meeks on January 14, 2014. (Jerry passed away this year).

The Creation of Viet Nam Vets:

When the Lord was creating Vietnam veterans, He was into His 6th day of overtime when an angel appeared. "You're certainly doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And God said, "Have you seen the specs on this order? A Nam vet has to be able to run 5 miles through the bush with a full pack on, endure with barely any sleep for days, enter tunnels his higher ups wouldn't consider doing, and keep his weapons clean and operable. He has to be able to sit in his hole all night during an attack, hold his buddies as they die, walk point in unfamiliar territory known to be VC infested, and somehow keep his senses alert for danger. He has to be in top physical condition existing on c-rats and very little rest. And he has to have 6 pairs of hands." The angel shook his head slowly and said, "6 pair of hands.....no way." The Lord say's "It's not the hands that are causing me problems. It's the 3 pair of eyes a Nam vet has to have." "That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through elephant grass, another pair here in the side of his heard for his buddies, another pair here in front that can look reassuringly at his bleeding, fellow soldier and say, "You'll make it"...when he knows he won't. "Lord, rest, and work on this tomorrow." "I can't said the Lord. "I already have a model that can carry a wounded soldier 1,000 yards during a fire flight, calm the fears of the latest FNG, and feed a family of 4 on a grunt's paycheck.: The angel walked around the model and said, "can it think?" "You bet,: said the Lord. "it can quote much of the UCMJ, recite all his general orders, and engage in a search and destroy mission in less time than general orders, and engage in a search and destroy mission in less time than it takes for his fellow Americans back home to discuss the morality of the War, and still keep his sense of humor. The Lord gazed into the future and said, "He will also endure being vilified and spit on when he returns home, rejected and crucified by the very ones he fought for." Finally, the angel slowly ran his finger across the vet's cheek, and said, "There's a leak...I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." "That's not a leak", said the Lord. "That's a tear." "What's the tear for?"  asked the angel. "It's for bottled up emotions, for holding fallen soldiers as they die, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for the terror of living with PTSD for decades after the war, alone with it's demons with no one to care of help." "you're a genius," said the angel, casting a gaze at the tear. The lord looked very somber, as if seeing down eternity's distant shores. "I didn't put it there,: he said.  

A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to "The United States of American" for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it."

Yours in Patriotism,

Linda

jfvarejcka@windstream.net

National Historian / Co-Americanism Officer

Joyce Dalton

It’s time to Spring into Spring. Hope everyone had a wonderful Founder’s Day. Please send any pictures you have of events so I can include them in the memory book for National President KayJo. 

The old saying “March comes roaring in like a lion, out like a lamb. March is Women's month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, Disability Awareness month, Daylight Savings time and Spring begins. 

A few holidays in March - Saint Patrick’s Day, Purim and Ramadan. 

Special observance for Star-Spangled Banner Day, Women’s Day and K-9 Veterans Day. Try to make it a Priority and focus on our Patriots and all Veterans past and present. There are several opportunities to include the community in various events and festivities. 

Remember what happens today will be history tomorrow. Report all the good your Unit and Department can accomplish for our Patriots and your community. 

“The truth of the matter is that you know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it right. “

Norman Schwarzkopf

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

March is National Brain Injury Month. P

LEASE try to attend the very informative and free Zoom Webinar that is hosted by the Department of Louisiana featuring Dr. Gregory Stewart from Tulane University Center of Brain Health. He will be sharing information about a nationwide initiative that focuses on mild-to-moderate Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans and First Responders. Please share and let's have as many supporters as possible to join the Zoom call.

TUESDAY MARCH 14, 2023 at 4pm PST, 5pm MST, 6pm CST, and 7pm EST.

The webinar will be 45 minutes with a 15 minute Q&A session.

Please share.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81188276121

MEETING ID:  811 8827 6121

PASSCODE: 2023

You may also manually dial-in by your location (you will need the meeting ID and password handy)

       +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

       +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

       +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

       +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

       +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

When using your phone, please remember to click *6 for mute/unmute and *9 to raise or lower your hand for comments or questions. To learn more about Tulane's free nationwide program, visit www.MOPHLA.org/webinar. You can register if you want to but it is not necessary.

Tulane is a sponsor of the 2023 National Convention, and we truly want to show them our support and gratitude.

Call Colleen if you have questions at 504-296-5022

Eileen

Teasippinlady@yahoo.com

Region 2 President

Karen Larabel

Region 2 – I am back in my office, yes still lingering burning pain, but feeling a little more alive. I know I

am not alone in this journey of medical issues. Just know that you are loved and being prayed for in

your journey even if we have not heard your name. God knows who you are and every hair on your

head.

Elections are coming up in April/May 2023. Consider submitting a letter of intent for a position in your

Unit and/or Department. You DO have something to contribute to the MOPHA.

Karen

kslarabel1@sbcglobal.net 

Members, if you are interested in visiting Branson soon, May 3-5th would be the ideal time. Branson will be celebrating the PURPLE HEART REUNION! See the flyer below for details:

Below: please note the year should read 2023 and not 2022. "oops!"

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

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.