General Orders Newsletter #9
April 2021
MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, April 15th
8 PM EST / 5 PM PST
All Members Welcome - Convention Updates and General Info

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
Amanda Flener

Month of the Military Child - You are Heroes too - During the month of April, we honor our Military Children. Many of our auxiliary members are, in fact, military kids. Whether older or younger, both the challenges and opportunities that military kids face can impact them for their lifetime. While my own children never knew of deployments and active duty life, they have certainly spent years recognizing veterans from a distance, thanking them for their service, and experiencing first hand the effects of combat wounds and disability. I feel my children have become more compassionate, insightful and caring as a result of living life with a combat wounded dad.

I say, "Thank You for YOUR Service" to our military children. Those of you who have experienced deployments, training, active duty and veteran life...those of you who understand the wounds of war and know what a PTSD nightmare and flashback sound like....those of you who served as caregivers well before many even knew what that term meant, you're Heroes. To the Moms and Dads reading this, who raised those military children, I know it wasn't always an easy task. You're Heroes too. You pulled double duty on more than one occassion, probably wiped tears when no one was looking, and yet rose to tackle more than your share.

Conventions - If you are having a digital meeting and would like myself or another officer to install your slate of officers, please let me know if you haven't already. If you would like a representative to join you and give any updates/answer questions, etc. Please let me know.

National Convention - Details should come soon regarding reservations and arrangements and I will make sure that we get you the information as soon as it is available for dissemination.

Be Safe and Stay Well,
Amanda
229-325-8106
CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD "THANK YOU" Coloring Pages
National Senior Vice President
Colleen Orfanello

How exciting (and quite busy) the next few months will be. As our Units and Departments plan and host their conventions, Committee Chairs and Leadership Officers are completing their necessary paperwork and submitting them to the respective parties.
This time of year can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.
 
Join us for this months Zoom meeting to get an overview of forms and meeting procedures to help you run a successful and fun Department meeting. We will also have a special guest speaker, MOPH Sr. Vice Commander James McCormick. And to make the meeting even better, we will be giving away another $25 gift card to Spoonflower.com (MOPHA shop). They have a wide selection of Patriotic Purple Heart fabrics for you to choose from.
 
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on Zoom!

Colleen
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 GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Judy Jackson LA 741
Doris Schlaupitz DE 1787
Doris Fawvor TX 1836
Margaret Furcht TX 1836
Elena Guerrero TX 1836
Evylyn Wilson MI 127
Barbara Ross MI 1985
Marguerite Groat MI 110
Stella Justice MI 110
Florence VanWagoner MI1985
Dolores Tijerina TX 1836
Murium Fine WI 162
Joanne Gehl WI 162
Clarine Tucker NML
Helen Croxton NML
Barbara Wilkes NML
Pearl Keys NML
Mary R Villanueva TX 1836
Audrey Tschirhart TX 1836
Belia Cosio TX 1836
Mary Prezioso NML
Eleanor Ann Hoffman NML
Florence Mae Rogers NML
Ruth M Everding NML
Eleanor Sandberg NML
Mary Callis NML
Tessie F Nay NML
Eva Sanchez NML
Erma Pauline Ryan NML
Ann Marie Herre NML
Elodia Riendeau NML
Marian H Duryea NML
Ruth Evelyn Reeder NML
Laura Fernandez NML
Don't Forget! Turn in those reports, receipts and photos for your HOV Grants!
Unit 260 Omaha, NE Members stuffing children's activity bags they made for the guests at the Omaha Fisher House.
Irene Lincoln, Elaine Kemper, Jean Windreich, Marcia Jones
The ladies completed 20 Activity Bags (10 for boys and 10 for girls) and filled them with crayons, coloring books, sticker pages and reading books.
Region IV President
Diane Grant Jenkins

Hope everyone is well and continuing to be safe! Thank you again for being a part of this great organization in patriotism to our country and service to our Veterans and their families.

We are approaching the end of our 2020-2021 MOPHA year. During the year, in addition to serving Veterans, we must comply with the rules and regulations as established in our Constitution & Bylaws (2020 Edition) and Procedures Manual.  

Congratulations to Departments and Units for doing an excellent job in meeting the October 1st report deadline to receive their life member rebate. The next report deadline is May 15th (set a goal of May 10th to have reports to National). Go to www.purpleheartauxiliary.org to complete reports online or use the printable copy. Don't forget to make distribution as noted on form. During this pandemic, there may be some reports with no activity. Please send them in anyway and notate “No Activity” on the form. Sending the reports online is the easier and preferred method.

For more information on annual reports, refer to Procedures Manual Chapters 10 and 22. Reports due to National by May 15th are: 1) Inspection (to be completed by Department President with Units; where there is no department, to be completed by Region President with Units), 2) Americanism, 3) Chaplain, 4) History, 5) Publicity, 6) Annual Community Services – Activities Community Hospital & Nursing Facilities Report, and 7) VAVS (completed by the Unit’s VAVS Representative).

As you complete your election and installation of officers for 2021-2022, send Installation report to National Secretary immediately or no later than May 31st.  

Your Region Presidents along with the National Leadership Team are here to assist you, if you need it.  

In Patriotism & Service,

Diane

706-414-2993
Region V President
Barbara Hale Ray

Happy Spring Auxiliary Members!
What a pleasure it is to share this simple greeting.

This past year has crippled the Auxiliary’s communication with the outside world and now we are wondering when we can fully get back to serving and helping our Veterans. Many of us have been left with damaging effects from this pandemic and we are trying cautiously to pick up the pieces and begin working where we left off.
The Departments of Region V have been springing out here and there trying to bring comfort to our neighbors, organizations, and members.

The Department of Texas
The Units members of the Department of Texas are rebounding from this pandemic and hoping to fully come out stronger to serve their Veteran organizations. The Department has a new transferred member from the state of Minnesota, Kathy Kinser, who would love to contact the Dallas VA to get a list of needs for veterans in the area. If anyone could help, please contact Department President, Joyce Dalton.

The Department of Colorado
Unit 375 has been accessing the needs of different organizations: Purchasing food for Heather Grove Nursing Home, Working as a combined drive with the Purple Heart Chapter, VFW, and American Legion fundraiser to get items for the homeless Veterans. They also purchased underwear for the VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO. The ladies also supported a donation for a Purple Heart widow working with the VFW. President Jan Huffman and Associate Member Judy Mc Laughlin both received a blanket given to them from Commander Ray and Region President Hale-Ray for support of all of their hard work during the pandemic.

Unit 423 is putting on the final touches to host the Department Convention face to face in May. I have been privy to the follow items: There will be six themed baskets to raffle plus there will be items made by Auxiliary members. Sticking close to the pandemic guidelines, the menus will be kept simple.

The Department of Louisiana:
Sorry to say that I’ve not been able to make contact with the Department of Louisiana since the hurricanes and I do pray that they are well.

We have come through this trying year, May we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith, and of our Service. That is where true meaning lives. 
I wish success to all of you on having your face to face conventions, knowing that you can once again embrace your members.
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