General Orders Newsletter #2
September 2021

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, September 16th
8 PM EST / 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
Colleen Orfanello

Dear members, This September will be a very busy month for the MOPHA. We recognize several important observances such as the 20th anniversary of 9/11, POW/MIA Day, and Gold Star Mothers' Day. We celebrate Labor Day and the Air Force's birthday as well. And...we are also busy completing those "oh so important" and necessary forms that are required for rebate-distribution. Those forms, the Life Member Verification Form, the IRS 990 confirmation, and the annual Finance Reports, are important because the rebate amounts will very substantial this year.

There's a lot in store for this month's Zoom! If you have photos of 9/11 events or other pictures you wish to share, send them our way.

I'm looking forward to virtually visiting with all of you this Thursday. In the tradition of the "Bee" theme, let's showcase how our members are "Busy Bees"!

In closing, on behalf of my fellow storm-impacted members, "THANK YOU" for the prayers and concern. They are most appreciated and we are grateful.
 
Colleen
504-296-5022
National Senior Vice President
Kay Jo Baucom

As I write this message to my Auxiliary family, I am remembering those killed on September 11th twenty years ago and the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan in recent weeks. My heart is heavy with grief and I am praying for comfort to be given to all these families. Even in the midst of these tragedies, there is evidence of hope, love and determination to come together as an organization - throughout our communities, our states , and our nation. Hope comes in many forms, one of which is membership. To become even stronger, we must build our membership roster. I am only one member, but I am One that can make a difference- just as each of you are! Be a mentor , a motivator , and a champion for supporting and serving those who first served us. We make a difference together as we let our actions of service speak for us- words can be powerful, but our actions put those words in motion. Prospective members will notice and want to join us! Let’s challenge ourselves to seek out perspective members - you all are amazing in unique ways- who wouldn’t want to be a part of such a fantastic group as our MOPHA? Invite questions from our youth, our neighbors and even our own families about our organization and be the champion for everything we stand for and all that we do!!

I am one of the proudest members and your biggest cheerleader - let’ s do this together. Nothing is impossible when we use our faith, our hearts and put our minds together to serve our military forces. We are MOPHA, united and strong!! May God continue to guide, bless and protect each of you!

Serving proudly with you, 

Kay Jo Baucom
MOPHA National Senior Vice President

Kay Jo
karenbaucom8@gmail.com - NOTE New Email
National Junior Vice President
Barbara Hale Ray

Remembering 9-11

Today as I look at the flags flying at half staff, I don’t have to ask why the flags are at half staff, because I remembered that day that brought change to our country. When it happened, I actually became like a kid… fearful of the unknown, fear that we would all be killed, afraid of everything. I felt that I was now looking at the country through rose colored glasses, this could not be real. This is America, we were invincible no one could touch us.
It was back in 1993 when I first visited New York City. One of the first places my Patriot wanted me to see was The Theaters on Broadway, Lady Liberty, the Hudson River Club and the World Trade Center. We went with friends to the World Trade Center and like most visitors; I went to the windows to look out at the neighboring states. Roy being the skeptic he is told me to get away from the windows and I being naïve, could not believe that anything could harm this building. It is protected; this is the United States of America.
We are being tested every day in so many ways, but are we listening? We became like a big family during that period. We helped each other, we placed lights around buildings, homes to let others know that we’ve got this; we will take care of each other. We became humble but we also became knowledgeable about how vulnerable we really are today.
To the family members of 9-11, we will never forget, but I will remember how it brought us together. I will continue to pray for you and your families.
“Dear Lord, We remember those who have gone before us today and thank you for our time with them and the blessing they were in our lives. Our memories of them live on”. The Peace of Heaven.

Barbara Hale-Ray
MOPHA National Junior Vice President

Barbara
Just a Gentle Reminder: DUE OCTOBER 1: * FINANCE REPORT AND IRS 990N ACCEPTED FILING! * LIFE MEMBER VERIFICATION

Friday Sept 10, 2021, members from MOPH Chapter 18 and 91 and MOPHA Unit 91 attended the “Veteran Resource Deployment” in Muskegon at the Van Dyke Mortgage Center. This was a resource and action fair for veterans of all branches of the military. There were other veteran organizations along with Department of Michigan veteran resource offices and several private companies offering veteran employment opportunities. Attending (back row) John Dykema-Commander #18 and Chuck Stark #18; Doug Besteman #91, Doug Larabel #91, and Karen Larabel-National Region 2 President; Front Row: Al Postma-Commander #91 and Joyce Hoolsema #91-Senior Vice President.

Karen Larabel - National Region II President

Karen
Life Membership Verification (LMV) Form from Units due by October 1st
In mid-July Unit Presidents and Secretaries (the designated officers to receive membership rosters) were emailed/mailed their Unit’s June 30th roster. Included in the information with the roster was the count National has on record for the Unit’s regular, associate and junior members. Delegates at the National Convention and rebates are calculated using the regular member count.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION (LMV) FORM:
The newly revised LMV form must be received by the National Membership Officer by October 1st as one of the three requirements for rebate eligibility. 
The LMV form is completed using the June 30th roster. If you submitted the LMV form before receiving the June 30th roster you will need to resubmit the revised LMV form using the June 30th roster.
You can file the LMV form online by using this link LMV FORM LINK or print out a hardcopy to mail (postmarked no later than October 1st) or scan and email (sent date no later than October 1st). A hardcopy can be downloaded and the online link can be found on our website www.PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org.

NO CHANGES TO REPORT TO JUNE 30th ROSTER:
If your records match National records as noted in the email with your roster, you can check the box in Section 1 for NO CHANGES TO REPORT TO THE JUNE 30TH ROSTER and submit the form.
TO REPORT CHANGES TO THE JUNE 30th ROSTER:
Note where the discrepancy exists in the Unit’s member count and National’s member count (as noted in the roster email) on the LMV form and submit. Make sure to include the appropriate information for the change.
To report member’s contact information updates, please use the Membership Data Change form on www.purpleheartauxiliary.org or email changes to me at address below.  
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Cheryl Perez
 
Cheryl
Members of Unit 741 delivered cupcakes to first responders
Frances from Unit 637 made this beautiful Purple-Heart themed basket to donate to help raise funds for her local VA
The Department of Michigan met and are planning another successful "Troop Package" assembly..
‌
Barbara Team - MI 127
Jean Bolinger - MI 110


Let us also remember the legacy of Commander George Banda's wife, Lorraine O'Malley - WI and Florida's Pat Michael's husband Ray.

Please keep all of these families in your prayers.
SNEAK PEAK at our upcoming online auction prize!
Our National Jr. Vice President, Barbara will be holding an online auction (Open to the public) that is guaranteed to bring some holiday cheer into one lucky winner!
A Keystone, Colorado ski vacation will be auctioned during the month of December. It includes 3 nights in a luxury 1,500 sq.ft condo and 5 ski lift passes with unlimited use in Breckenridge or Keystone. This vacation is valued at $1,500!
More information about this prize will be provided at next month's Zoom.
Brenae Jones CO375
Marie Severson WI 164
Todd Severson WI 164
Peter Severson WI 164
Marlene Fry MI 91
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. After all, the beginning of holiday-season is only 2 months away! What a great hostess gift!
MOPHA's online store will be "open" soon!
Stationary, business cards, greeting cards, labels, brochures, promotional items, banners, CBLs, Car decals, gifts, and so much more will be featured. Have an item that you wish to have? Let us know. We value your opinion and feedback.
WEBSITE TESTERS NEEDED
ShopPurple.org is a nation-wide business directory to share our members businesses or talents with potential customers. No matter if you cut hair or construct skyscrapers, ShopPurple.org is for you! It's only available to MOPHA Purple Heart Family Members, MOPH Associate Members, and of course our Patriots. Even if you don't have a business to showcase but want to help test the site, simply visit the website and jot down what you think about the simplicity of the site or what needs to be improved. Our Website Committee will be meeting soon and truly wants your help! Visit ShopPurple.org to help us out.