News / Business
James M. Sims Elected National Commander as 77th Annual Convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Closes in Rogers, AR
Springfield, VA, August 16, 2009 - The 77th Annual Convention of The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and the Ladies Auxiliary of the MOPH successfully concluded today in Rogers, Arkansas with the election of new officers for the upcoming year. James M. Sims, a combat wounded Marine from Shelton, Washington was elected as National Commander. Elected as National Senior Vice Commander is Clayton D. Jones, a combat wounded veteran from Nixa, Missouri. Elected as National Junior Vice Commander is William R. Hutton, a combat wounded veteran from Thousand Oaks, California.
Elected as President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is Gwendolyn Gilliard of New Orleans, Louisiana. Elected as Senior Vice President is Karen Haltiner of Oregon City, Oregon. Elected as Junior Vice President is Barb Cherone of New Berlin, Wisconsin.
As one of his first acts, Commander Sims announced the goals and objectives of the Order for the coming year. The MOPH will continue to focus on and improve its service to veterans, their families, and our communities. Recognizing fiscal realities, emphasis this year will be on fostering a more active involvement of chapters and departments in veteran support activities. Funded by grants provided by the MOPH Service Foundation and assisted by the Ladies Auxiliary, the MOPH will expand its programs that help ensure all veterans receive the benefits they have earned from the Department of Veteran Affairs. The MOPH will again conduct veteran job fairs to assist veterans in finding employment and provides training on how to establish and fund their own small business enterprises. Under the Veteran Affairs Volunteer Service (VAVS) program, MOPH members across the Country will continue to volunteer their time and compassionate service to assist veterans at VA Facilities. Concurrently, the MOPH Service Program will continue its operation of a nation-wide network of trained Service Officers and assistants; accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans' benefits experts at various Veterans Administration regional offices, hospitals, vet centers, and state and county veterans’ facilities.
Among the highlights of this year’s Convention, was the unanimous appreciation expressed by the members and ladies for the exceptional leadership this past year by the immediate Past National Commander Jeffrey Roy and Past National President Jane Stoel. Patriot Jerry E. Houston of Sun City, Arizona was singled out for recognition as the National Patriot of the Year for his singular contributions to the Order and to veterans.. Recipient of the Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy scholarship was SSGT Peter Milinkovic, an active duty Marine, now enrolled in a college commissioning program . The keynote address at the closing banquet was delivered with great humor and reverence by retired Air Force Chaplain Dr. H.D. McCarthy, BG, USAF (Ret).
The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) of the U.S.A. Inc.," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they received the Purple Heart Medal.
For further information contact:
National Adjutant, Jack Leonard, 703-642-5360
Or,
National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535
Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org
Web: http://www.purpleheart.org/
