Featured Program

Total Resource Auctions (TRA) & Purple Heart Cars

- What Happens to the Car After the Donation is Made?

MOPHSF has partnered with Manheim/Total Resource Auctions (TRA) to pickup and auction the cars that have been donated to Purple Heart Cars.  More than just a contractor that disposes of the cars, TRA cares deeply about what they are doing on behalf of the MOPH.

Not only do they provide preferential hiring to veterans, but in the past several months, the TRA facilities in Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; and Fredericksburg, VA have each held special events in conjunction with veteran related holidays to honor their own veteran employees.  At each of these events, TRA presented special checks to the MOPHSF that represents a portion of their own profits, in addition to what the contract calls for.

Click here for more information about Manheim Total Resource Auctions.

If you would like to learn more about the Purple Heart Car Donation Program, including interviews with both a Purple Heart Car donor and a buyer, you are invited to watch a short video we recently produced to explain the Purple Heart Car Program to the public.

Contact the Purple Heart Car Donation Program toll free at 888-414-GIVE (4483) or visit us online at www.purpleheartcars.org.

Honoring Our Veterans

Leadership:  The View from the Bottom - by Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor, MOPHSF Board of Directors

My experience as a Private First Class in Vietnam gave me the opportunity to see leaders make life and death decisions in combat, but it is the troops on the ground who must follow orders and take action.  It is from that position as a follower that I formulated my opinions on leadership.  The following traits stood out to me.

1]  TRUST:  When I did not trust my leader, I was not enthusiastic about following his orders.  One officer constantly got us lost in the jungle and seemed unsure in many situations.  Another officer always acted like he knew what we were doing and where we were going.  When he rendered an order, no one faltered or questioned.  We just took action because we had confidence in him.  Leaders cannot demand trust but must earn it.

 
2]  COMMUNICATION:  When a leader failed to communicate, he made us fell like he was doing things to us, rather than with us.  Followers are more amendable to a leader who is working in harmony with them.  Troops will risk their lives and well-being for a leader who communicates effectively and makes them feel like he is in tune with the unit and the mission...READ MORE

Fred Taylor is a three-time Purple Heart recipient and was medically retired due to combat wounds.  He is a member of the NIA Board of Directors and the MOPHSF Board of Directors.

AS SEEN IN THE Spring 2011, Infantry Bugler

July 12:  NCOA/Military.com Career Expo

On Tuesday, July 12th, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, NCOA, in partnership with Military.com, presented one of 40+ Career Expos across the country designed to fulfill their mission to assist our transitioning U.S. Military Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Spouses.

This event was held at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, located at 129 E. Fremont Drive, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

To register as a Job Seeker and to see a complete schedule of events for 2011 visit www.Military.com/career-expo.

August 9-13: 79th Annual MOPH National Convention

The MOPH and the LAMOPH are pleased to announce the national convention will be held this year in Saint Paul, MN, from August 9th to August 13th, at the Crown Royal Riverfront Hotel.

This annual event brings together the Commanders and delegates of the Order's Regions, Departments, Chapters and Units 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 upcoming year.

For convention info and pre-registration forms click here.

VA National Veterans Rehabilitation Special Events

Aug. 1-6: Nat'l Veterans Wheelchair Games - Pittsburgh, PA

The largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world, this event offers 17 different sports to Veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations and neurological diseases. The Games promote rehabilitation through rigorous competition in such events as basketball, rugby, softball, handcycling and others. A special "Kids Day" program allows children with disabilities to meet the athletes and be introduced to wheelchair sports. While past Games have produced national and world-class champions, the Games also provide opportunities for newly disabled Veterans to gain sports skills and be exposed to other wheelchair athletes.

Sept. 12-15: Nat'l Veterans TEE Tournament - Iowa City, IA

Previously a local program, this new national event provides legally blind and eligible disabled Veterans an opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen their self-esteem through adaptive golf and bowling events. Each year, the TEE Tournament uses a therapeutic format to promote rehabilitation, fellowship and camaraderie among participants. The event provides eligible Veterans with an opportunity to participate in therapeutic adaptive sporting activities which demonstrate that having a visual or physical disability need not be an obstacle to an active, rewarding life.

Sept. 18-23: Nat'l Vet. Summer Sports Clinic - San Diego, CA

VA's newest national program, the Summer Sports Clinic promotes rehabilitation of body and spirit by teaching summer sporting activities to Veterans with significant physical or psychological impairments. The Clinic offers such sports as surfing, sailing, kayaking, track and field, and cycling to Veterans who are newly injured from amputations, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other neurological disorders, all benefitting from the therapeutic environment offered at the Clinic. Each year, the events offered will vary, allowing greater exposure to new adaptive sports and recreational activities.