Military Order of the Purple Heart National Convention in Rogers, Arkansas

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and the Ladies Auxiliary of the MOPH are pleased to announce that their National Convention will be hosted this year by the Department of Arkansas at the John Q. Hammond, Embassy Suites Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas during the week of 5-10 August 2013.
This annual event brings together the Commanders and delegates of the Order’s Regions, Departments, Chapters and Units from all States, Puerto Rico and the US Trust Territory of Guam to elect the National Leadership of the Order for the upcoming year. Delegates will participate in training sessions, review the business of the past year, approve new governing amendments and organizational bylaw changes, and set an agenda for the coming year.
At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, August 6, MOPH Patriots, Associate Members, and Auxiliary Members attending the Convention will be welcomed to Rogers by Mayor Greg Hines, followed by Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, himself the recipient of two Purple Hearts, as the Keynote Speaker. On Wednesday, Rep. Steve Womack (AR-3), who 4 years ago welcomed all Patriots as Mayor of Rogers, will again address the Convention. LTG Claude M. Kicklighter, Director of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration will brief Members on the official DOD plans for the ceremony. Following regular business on Thursday, August 8, the Department of Arkansas will host a charity golf tournament to benefit veterans and their families at the Fayetteville VA Hospital. On Saturday, August 10, the closing banquet will feature BG Bernard K. Skoch, USAF (Ret.), a leading national cyber warfare expert, as guest speaker.
The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.,” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women 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 were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, First Responder Recognition, JROTC Leadership Award, Scholarships, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families.
For information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Interim National Adjutant, Frank Van Hoy, 888-668-1656
Or, National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535
Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org