OPINION: Supporting Veterans

During the week of August 5-10 the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and the Ladies Auxiliary of the MOPH will be holding their National Convention in Arkansas.

Cities across the nation will participate. Commanders and delegates from the Order’s Regions, departments, chapters and units from all the states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Trust Territory of Guam will all come together for this annual event.

There are not enough wonderful things to say about this Order. The good that they do each and every day for combat-wounded veterans and their families cannot be overstated.

The four arms of MOPH include: The Purple Heart Membership or Fraternal arm of the Order, executes programs across the country; the National Service Program provides direct tailored assistance to MOPH members and all veterans involving the VA; the Ladies Auxiliary has its own membership and administration but works closely with local MOPH chapters to aid distressed veterans and their families; and the Purple Heart Service Foundation is charged with raising funds to support the programs and activities of the Order. The Foundation also offers training programs to transitioning veterans.

This past June, I was visited by Conrad “Connie” Steers and Bob Chiappone, both affiliated with MOPH, with a request to make Glen Cove a Purple Heart City by Proclamation. At last week’s City Council meeting the measure was approved.

I couldn’t be more pleased and thank the City Council for taking up this issue.

Founded in 1932 to assist all combat-wounded veterans and chartered by an Act of Congress in 1958, MOPH recognizes military men and women who were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Given that the United States has participated in seven wars and conflicts in the 20th century, the organization has grown to 45,000 members that are organized into six geographical regions. It has an operating budget of $9.75 million; 7 million of which is funneled to MOPH via its Service Foundation.

MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary use some proceeds for the preservation of America’s military history, but more importantly they provide assistance to veterans and families on such things as claims assistance with the VA, employment assistance, awards, scholarships and community service programs too numerous to mention.