VFW Auxiliary Department of Ohio

[Pages:13]VFW Auxiliary Department of Ohio

President's Message

HELLO #TEAMOHIO!! Welcome to the VFW Auxiliary Department of Ohio's 2nd newsletter! I hope you

had a chance to read and share the1st Edition in July. I am hoping to get more events sent in to me for individual auxiliaries and districts. The time is NOW to support our VFW Posts and auxiliaries throughout the state

I would like to remind everyone of some of the upcoming events during the month of August. ? Ohio Day? VFW National Home Eaton Rapids, MI August 6, 2022 ? VFW Ohio Charities State Annual Golf Outing Fremont, OH Post 2947 August 20-21,

2022

I hope everyone that was able to attend the Department Council of Administration and School of Instruction July 29-30 at the Crowne Plaza. The programs were handled a little different this year. Instead of having the Program Chairmen just speak about what's new this year, we had 10 minute sessions of instruction by the chairmen. Space was a little crowded but we made it work!

VFW Auxiliary Department of Ohio

Volume 1 Issue 2

August 2022

August PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS:

? August 4-Thursday United State Coast Guard Birthday

? August 7--Sunday National Purple Heart Recognition Day

Also, the Dept Treasurer, Meg Klaameyer gave training on Treasurer & Trustee information. Due to the time constraints, the District Presidents were given the presentation pdfs to pass out to the auxiliaries within their districts and those will also be on the Department Facebook page.

National C.A.F.E September 9-10

Inside this issue:

I Double Dog Dare 2 you I SPY

10th Celebrating America's Freedom Event

Flight 93 National Memorial

September 10, 2022

Somerset County, Pennsylvania

Registration is open for our 10th Celebrating America's Freedom Event! Join 2022-2023 National President Jane Reape at the Flight 93 National Memorial

in Pennsylvania where we will gather to honor the extraordinary men and women, passengers and crew, who lost their lives on 9/11 in a fight against terrorists on a mission to attack the Capitol. We will experience the Tower of

Voices, Wall of Names, the Sacred Ground and more.

See information on end pages of the newsletter for this event and reservations

Info from National 3 Council Members

National Purple Heart 4-5 Recognition Day

National Guard

6

Candidate

Eligibility

7

Program Spotlights 8-9

Happy Birthday USCG Ohio Day/.1k walk

10-11

I DOUBLE-DOG DARE YOU!!!

#1 I put this challenge out to each auxiliary on the Department Facebook page the last week of July: for each auxiliary that has their Bond purchased BEFORE July 31st, has a chance to win a special prize from me...ONLY 1 WINNER! The winning auxiliary's number will be pulled Friday, August 5th in the Hospitality Room the night BEFORE OHIO DAY at National Home. There are 140 Auxiliaries that are eligible to win!!

#2 If ALL Auxiliaries have their BOND purchased by the DEADLINE of August 31st-(1) ONE lucky Auxiliary will get to throw a whipped cream pie in my face at Midwinter Conference in January

#3 For each Auxiliary that is 100% reported in ALL programs except membership by the December 31st deadline, they will have (1) entry for their Auxiliary to win a special prize from me. The Auxiliaries that are 100% reported in ALL programs PLUS 100% + 1 will receive (5) entries? the winner will be announced at

I SPY

Information from National Council Member Area D

National Council Member Area D July 2022

Dear Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for the honor and privilege to represent you, the Department of Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, on the National District Council of Administration. I attended our National Convention in Kansas City; Missouri and I want to recap on the convention. Resolutions results: #1 Adopted #2 Adopted #3 Adopted #4 Adopted #5 Not Adopted

Congratulations to Auxiliary 2898 Lucas County receiving an award for Veterans and Family Support for most outstanding activity and/or event that supports veteran, military and family caregivers in Big Ten Conference. Auxiliary 2898 Lucas County also received the Big Ten Conference award for the most outstanding implementation of a Mentoring for Leadership Program.

Our Department Awards: Becky Abbott Second-Place Outstanding Performance Award for Legislative Shannon Stanley Second-Place Outstanding Performance Award for Membership

Kim Harney from Arizona is our newly elected National Guard.

Loyally, Marilyn McGeorge NDCM Area D 2020-2022 *******************************************************************************************************************************************************

Greetings Auxiliary Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for electing me to represent the Department of Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary as the National District Council of Administration Area D for the next 2 years. I look forward to bringing all the new information to you from our National Headquarters.

Congratulations to our Past Department President Terri on receiving her Circle of Excellence at the National Convention on behalf of the members of the GREAT DEPARTMENT OF OHIO.

In our Council meeting on July 22, 2022 it was stated that the Magazine will be coming to a close on being printed and mailed out. This goes in effect December 2022, if you would still like to receive the magazine please go onto your Malta account or create an account to set up to receive the magazine via email. If you have members that do not have this capability or do not want you can forward the magazine or print it out.

National President Jane's caf? will be held September 10 in Pennsylvania at Flight 93 memorial.

Loyally, Tracy Fife NDCM Area D 2022-2024

August 7 - National Purple Heart Recognition Day

Purple Heart Day is observed on Aug. 7 each year and is a time for Americans to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield, or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Purple Heart Day is also known as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Recognition Day and Purple Heart Appreciation Day.

Purple Heart Day will be observed on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.

The holiday was first observed in 2014, and is considered an unofficial observance meaning that businesses, government offices, etc. do not close on this day.

How Purple Heart Day is Observed

? States, counties, and cities pause in recognition of the service and sacrifice of their local sons and daughters as do sports and entertainment entities.

? Major League Baseball teams pay homage to their local Purple Heart recipients during special pre-game and 7th inning ceremonies.

? Veteran and military organizations hold remembrance meetings for fallen heroes and special events to thank soldiers, veterans, and Purple Heart recipients on this day.

The Purple Heart Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, recommends donating time and money to the foundation or to other organizations working with Purple Heart recipients.

? People take the time to listen to soldiers and veterans and learn more about their life stories and their military service. American flags are flown at homes and businesses.

Criteria For Receiving A Purple Heart

The Purple Heart has a long list of criteria for eligibility-too long to list here. But in general it may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been wounded, killed in action, or have died or may die from wounds received in any action against the United States, action with an opposing armed force, the results of any hostile "foreign force" and many other situations where men and women in uniform may find themselves under attack.

In general, the Purple Heart is awarded for injuries sustained because of enemy attack. Injuries sustained for other reasons not related to things "not caused by enemy agents" are generally not acceptable as grounds for receiving the Purple Heart, though friendly fire injuries do qualify as long as the friendly fire was intended for the enemy. The Purple Heart is now given to persons who are injured, wounded or died while a prisoner of war (POW).

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

Purple Heart Recipients can join The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) which was formed in 1932. It is composed exclusively of men and women who have received the Purple Heart and is the only veterans service organization with only "combat" veterans as members. It's estimated that more than a million Purple Hearts have been awarded and there are about 45,000 MOPH members today.

Why is the Purple Heart Purple?

One contemporary interpretation of the color of the Purple Heart is that the color represents the blood of all those who have made sacrifices in war, but traditionally the color is thought to represent the courage of those who serve. The original color of the Badge of Military Merit was purple, so it is logical that when the Purple Heart was created to celebrate George Washington's bicentennial, the original color of the medal he created would be used to honor his memory.

History of The Purple Heart's Long And Winding Road

The Purple Heart began as something called the Badge of Military Merit, an honor created by General George Washington in 1782. The honor was only presented to enlisted soldiers who had performed a "singularly meritorious action." Only a handful of these were awarded, and following the American Revolution, the Badge of Military Merit didn't become a permanent fixture among the various other awards and decorations given to those who serve.

But the spirit of the Badge of Military Merit would be honored again in 1932, when the Purple Heart award was created to honor the bicentennial of George Washington's birthday. World War One saw the first Purple Hearts awarded to soldiers, presented on the site of the final encampment of the Continental Army in Windsor, New York.

The Purple Heart took many years to evolve into what it is known as today. When General Douglas MacArthur signed General Order #3 establishing the modern Purple Heart, it was not authorized to be awarded to anyone except to those serving in the Army or the Army Air Corps. A presidential order signed in 1942 opened the Purple Heart to all branches of the military including the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Modern Purple Heart

World War Two saw the Purple Heart change from an award for meritorious service to one honoring those who were wounded or killed in combat. Criteria for receiving a Purple Heart has also changed over the years; military members may be eligible for this honor if they are wounded or killed as a result of an act of terrorism or in qualifying circumstances where friendly fire was involved. There are also Purple Heart benefits afforded to the men and women that are awarded Purple Hearts.

Ohio's Own Sandra Uzell for National Guard

Eligibility Requirements for VFW Auxiliary Membership:

Members must be at least 16 years old.

Those eligible are:

? Husband/Wife ? Widower/Widow ? Father/Mother ? Grandfathers/Grandmothers ? Sons/Daughters ? Grandsons/Granddaughters ? Brothers/Sisters

Of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Those eligible for membership in the VFW are those that have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay.

Step- and adopted parents, children, siblings (and half-siblings), grandparents and grandchildren are considered the same as biological parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren and may join the VFW Auxiliary under their VFW-eligible veteran.

Proof of service is required for eligibility and must be obtained by the applicant.

Information on a veteran's service record can be obtained by contacting: National Archives and Records Administration Phone: 1-866-272-6272 Online:

Veterans Service Records: 4-Step Veteran Request Process:

Military Records Request Using Standard Form 180 (SF180):

If you have membership questions or need more information, please contact us at info@.

Program Spotlight #1

Veteran & Family Support

Department Chairman: Julie Constable

Veterans & Family Support is the heart of what this organization is all about. The least we can do to support them is to support our programs that benefit them and their families. Here is how:

**Spread Word about National Veterans Service (NVS): Helps veterans, service members and their families obtain benefits-at no cost. Provides network of 300 VFW Service Officers who help veterans navigate the Veterans Affairs system. They assist with: Donations to NVS can be made online or by mail. Donate by mail at: VFW National Headquarters, Attn: NVS, 406 W. 34th St, 11th floor Kansas City, MO 64111.

**VFW Veterans & Military Support Programs: Military Assistance Programs (MAP): Donate funds to local military units. Provides financial assistance to Post/Auxiliaries by providing financial assistance for Posts, Districts and Departments to sponsor morale boosting send-offs, homecomings and casual get togethers. Unmet Needs: Grants of up to $1,500 payable to a creditor can bridge the gap to pay the mortgage, rent or fund home and auto repairs when military are serving elsewhere and need support. VFW "Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship": Awards scholarships of up to $5,000 to qualifying veterans and service members to help complete their educational goals. Programs serve active duty and recently discharged military. Donations made online or via mail: VFW National Headquarters, Attn: Veterans & Military Support, 406 W 34th St 9th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64111.

**Veteran & Military Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness: The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified Dept of VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, Chat online at , or Send a text message to 838255. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

**Mental Wellness Support and Resources: A staggering 20 veterans commit suicide each day and the VFW and VFW Auxiliary are committed to change the conversation and stigma surrounding mental health in the United States. The MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do is "Know the five signs":

*Personality Change *Agitation *Withdrawal *Poor self-care *Hopelessness

**Resources are available to assist our Veterans:

VFW WELLNESS CAMPAIGN: assistance/mentalwellness The Campaign to Change Direction: Give An Hour: Patients Like Me: join/vfw One Mind: The Elizabeth Dole Foundation: Help Heal Veterans (Therapeutic Craft Kits):

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