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The State of IL MOPH Movable Memorial Wall of Honor 2012 Schedule

April 30, 2012 in Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State of IL Movable Memorial Wall of Honor:

The Inaugural Unveiling of the State of IL’s FIRST ever Portrait Memorial dedicated to the Fallen was viewed by the Gold Star Families on June 14, 2009 in a closed invitation only event to Honor our Gold Star Families. The MOPH-IL Movable Memorial Wall of Honor is dedicated to all IL service men & women that have given up their lives in Service to our nation, since before we were even a Nation. The extensive history of this Nations wars and conflicts are represented by the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam war panels and followed by Ceramic Tile Photographic Portraits of those since 911,  from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

This is a Memorial to be viewed by young and old alike, to Honor, Pause, Reflect and Remember the Sacrifices laid down by our Brave Service Men and Women from the “HEART of America!” Two of our women in Uniform that paid the ultimate Sacrifice were with child, when they passed. There are currently #10 Lionesses that have perished in the line of duty. There are 268 individuals Represented & Remembered on the Memorial Wall of Honor. A detailed binder has information about EACH individual’s Military affiliation.

APRIL 18th  Rock Valley Community College / http://www.wrex.com/story/17534785/rvc-veterans-club-holds-benefit-fair * error in report! (NOT everyone from the State of IL that ever received a Purple Heart is displayed on this wall.)

MAY

May 5th  Lansing, IL  Community “There is NO Place Like Home” parade on Torrence Ave 45th Annual Good Neighbor Parade 2:00 P.M.

May 11th Glen Eagle Country Club Registration required for the 7th Annual LCPL Jonathan Collins Memorial Golf Outing:

http://jonathancollins.org/golfouting.htm

May 18th Quincy Veterans’ Home Annual Armed Forces Day residents picnic

May 26th  Chicago Memorial Parade  State Street  http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/mose/memorial_day_parade.html

May 27th  Norridge Memorial Day http://www.villageofnorridge.com/VeteransMemorialCommittee.asp# 4000 N. Olcott Avenue Norridge, Illinois 60706

May 28th Patriots attending Memorial Service: NO Wall Display / Milton Olive Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial Park Chicago Ceremony 8:00 am  http://www.173rd.com/MOH_new_page_9.htm

May 29th  Patriot Golf Outing Medinah Country Club http://www.medinahpatriotday.com/ 

JUNE

June 2nd  Wounded American Troops 4th Annual picnic & Firefighters Local 2 in La Grange, IL Sundown Meadows on La Grange Road tow block north of I-55 West side of street. 11:00 am Start

June 3rd  Fifth Annual PFC Omar Torres Gold Star benefit picnic  La Grange, IL Sundown Meadows Forest Preserve. Start time 10:00 am

June 9th  Gold Star Ride; Remember The Fallen / Open event Glendale Heights VFW 2377 Location 142 E ARMY Trail Rd $ 20 donation* includes Meal and Party 4:30 pm Rockie Lynne Performing

June 29th  U S A Military All Stars Baseball game with the Will County Cracker Jacks 7:00 P.M. Brennan Field One University Parkway Romeoville, IL   http://www.usmilitaryallstars.us/

http://www.crackerjacksbaseball.com/files/uploaded_documents/743/flyer_jacks-usa_pdf_2.pdf

June 30th Evergreen Park  Day in the Park picnic

http://www.evergreenpark-ill.com/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2012/06/30/239/-/ZWJmZDVkZGZlNjUxMTBlMWQ1ZWI4MWEzNDE4Mzg2N2M=

JULY

July 3rd Evergreen Park Fourth of July Parade 95th Street

July 4th, 2012 Village of Oak Lawn 95th Street Parade 1:00 p. m.

http://www.oaklawn-il.gov/getdoc/21f84bef-6d0c-4ddc-bd30-86f666ed6d7b/4th-of-July-Parade.aspx

August

August 7th, 2012 Purple Heart Day dedication at Purple Heart Memorial Woodstock, IL 10:00 am    http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/Documents/Proclamations/Purple%20Heart%20Day%202011.pdf

September

September 8th Springfield, IL Run for the Fallen 5K Walk / Run sponsored by the Springfield Vet Center 1 – 5 P.M. Washington Park registration from 1-2 Run begins @ 2:00pm Food & Entertainment Pets Welcome                                                                      Pre-Registration contact, Christine or Sean # (217) 492-4955

October

October 26th Manteno Memorial Motorcycle Run……More info to be released soon. This date is committed!

 

November

November 8th       Triton College  Student Veterans Org

Veteran’s Day    November 11th Tinley Park Memorial Park dedication

November 12th   Moraine College  Student Veterans Org

******The Department of IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Organization reserves the right to NOT display the Movable Memorial Wall at any venue due to weather conditions or other unpredictable situations. There are *NO Fees charged for the Display of this Moving Tribute to The Fallen and their Families.  The Order has total and complete decision of where and when the Memorial will be displayed for both logistical and appropriate Patriotic Community events. The Members and Leadership of the MOPH-IL are the care takers and protectors of this Memorial. Thank you for your interest to Pause, Reflect and Remember America’s Brave Service Men & Women that have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice.

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Purple Heart “Hand in Hand” Branson, MO 2012

April 5, 2012 in Main Page, MOPH & Veteran News!, Purple Heart Events

Calling All Combat Wounded Veterans to Branson, Missouri

 

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is proud to announce its support for the fourth annual Branson.Com special salute to Purple Heart recipients – Hand-in-Hand.  All Purple Heart recipients are invited to join the MOPH in Branson 26-28 April 2012 for this special event..

 

This special “Hand in Hand” event takes place over three fun-packed days and features a wide variety of dining, entertainment and sporting events designed specifically for combat wounded veterans.  As one Purple Heart recipient said after last year’s event, “I have never felt so personally honored or more patriotic than I did during Hand-in-Hand in Branson.”

 

On Thursday, April 26, the weekend kicks off with registration in the morning, followed by an Opening ceremony at the Hamner Barber Theatre, Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  The ceremony includes a special program of music and comedy entertainment as well as a panel of experts from the Military Order of the Purple Heart who will present a “Town Hall Meeting” on how veterans and their families can get their benefits.  In addition to a Question and Answer period, these experts will be available for private consultations.  The Military Order of the Purple Heart will be represented by National Commander Bill Hutton, Senior Vice Commander Bruce McKenty. LAMOPH National President Barbara Cherone, MOPH National Service Director Frank Van Hoy, and Members of the Department of Missouri.  The evening will be open to enjoy the many dining and entertainment experiences available in Branson.

 

On Friday morning, attendees will be treated to a special entertainment extravaganza composed of a wide variety of entertainers currently performing in Branson.  Again, this special performance will take place at the Hamner-Barber Theater. Based on a drawing at this event, many of the veterans will have the opportunity to compete in a Bass Fishing Tournament in the afternoon.  For those not fishing, including wives and other guest, will climb aboard the Ducks and head to the Branson Landing for a special Branson Culinary & Shopping experience. Be sure to register on line at Branson.com so they will know how much transportation to prepare for. Participants will be done with our excursion in time to meet with the returning fishermen to see who claims the biggest fish.  Then everyone will adjourn to a Fish Fry at the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre.

On Saturday at 9:00 AM, all Hand-in-Hand attendees are invited to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction, a permanent two-story museum shaped like the RMS Titanic itself. The museum holds 400 pre-discovery artifacts in twenty galleries and is anchored in water to create the illusion of Titanic at sea. It is the 100 year Anniversary of the Titanic and the owners have graciously invited all Purple Heart Recipients to board the ship for free. There will be an admissions charge of $25 for spouses, significant others, or other family members.

At 9:30 a group of motorcycle riders will gather at the Branson First Stop, 220 Branson Hills Parkway, and will ride to Eureka Springs. The ride will end at Hamner Barber Theatre where they will honor the Purple Heart Recipients.  By the time they arrive, all Hand-in-Hand attendees will have converged on the theater in preparation for the closing Ceremonies.

At 2:30 the closing ceremony will take place in the Hamner Barber Theatre, 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson.  This year’s special guest speaker is Staff Sergeant Robert Henline, U.S. Army (Retired).  . In March 2007, while on his third deployment in Iraq, SSGT Hamline’s truck hit a roadside bomb (IED).  Henline was burned over nearly 38 percent of his body and was evacuated to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.  Henline has what are called full thickness burns, meaning a majority of his skin was destroyed, with most of the burns concentrated on his face, head and left arm. Henline will be accompanied by his loving wife Connie, who has devoted her life to her husband’s recovery.  The Henline’s have three children and Connie admits that it is a challenge to be a mother, nurse and a wife. Nevertheless, Connie and the children say everyday with Robert is truly a gift.

All activities are free of charge to all veterans and their families, with the exception of a minimal charge for the fish fry and the Titanic tour.  For details, please visit the website “Branson.com” to pre-register online for all events.  If you have any questions, call 417-334-2360 and please keep checking back on the website for any changes.  For discount shows and lodging please call 1-800-619-5708 or go to www.BransonTourismCenter.com

 

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 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, 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.  Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utoH9aAURds&feature=related  VIEW this Video!!!  Thank You Bobbie for your Service and Sacrifice, Your “Pillow Mom!”

For information contact:

National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535

Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org

MOPH on the Web

MOPH on Facebook

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Department of IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Annual Convention

April 2, 2012 in Chapter & State activities of Support, Main Page

The MOPH Department of IL will be holding  it’s annual State Convention. The upcoming Convention will be Held Saturday June 23, 2012 for the Executive Committee members from both MOPH & LAMOPH and other unit and chapter members interested in attendance. A Business meeting and elections will be held Saturday. Friday evening is reserved for out of town members travelling a distance with a Hospitality suite.  These functions are reserved for current members and eligible members with proper application and supporting documentation of receipt of Purple Heart award. For further information please contact: Commander Dan Finn email: danfinn at moph-il.org

For lodging information Please contact:

Homewood Suites Hotel  16245 S. La  Grange Rd. Orland park, IL 60477 (708) 364-9411

www.orlandpark.homewoodsuites.com

 

Room rate for a suite is $99 per evening. Saturday evening following the daily meeting a Banquet will held. More information to follow……TBA

A confirmation of all attendees will be required for planning purposes.

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Closing of the Belleville Service Office

April 2, 2012 in Main Page

Closing of the Belleville Service Office
Regrettably the following action was necessary. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of IL had  to close the downstate office and operate only from the Chicago Regional *Jesse Brown location & Hines VA Office.  The VARO which is the Veteran Administration Regional Office is the main office for maintaining records for Illinois’ Veterans. Basic logic dictates that this office would have to be the last office to close, because of the location and regulations established with the Veterans’ Administration. 

We opened the Belleville Office with a grant from the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in August 2009. For public knowledge the Department of Illinois graciously took on the two employees for the Belleville Office because they were losing their positions with the State of Missouri. This originally was only supposed to be an interim office until they could re-locate into a V.A. facility.

 

We as a Department made it clear when the downstate office exhausted the original $100,000 grant, that we would continue supporting as long as financially feasible. The membership agreed to support the downstate office at our convention in June 2009 even after the grant money was exhausted, which occurred during July 2010. We have been continuing full support for this office since that time. We have continually operated in the RED relying strictly on our reserves hoping that the incoming revenues would hopefully improve.

 

There was no income revenue received from fundraising operations this calendar year. There is much uncertainty with  future revenues! So the Organization must do what is fiscally feasible for the integrity and preservation of the State organization’s survival.

We are at this point are dependent  upon our reserves

We are already $54,000 in the red just on the salaries alone for the NSO program this year. We were $50,000 in the red last year. Our revenue has been on a downward spiral for the last two years and our reserves are dangerously low!   

 

The National Office structure is such that no funding is appreciated here in The State of IL. The Department of IL MOPH  does not know how much longer we will be able to maintain any office at this juncture.

This was a very difficult decision, but one that had to be made.

 

Respectfully,

 

Dan Finn

IL Commander

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April 14th, 2012 11th Annual Harold Zahne Purple Heart Memorial Horse Races begin at 7:10pm

March 29, 2012 in MOPH & Veteran News!, Purple Heart Events

11th annual Harold Zahn Purple Heart Memorial set for Balmoral Park
Thursday, March 29, 2012 – by Dale Zahn

Crete, IL — The Harold Zahn Purple Heart Memorial Race will be presented at Balmoral Park on Saturday (April 14).

It all began shortly after Harold (my dad) passed away in 2002. It was meant to be a simple family gathering to keep the memory of Harold alive at the racetrack he spent so many hours at during his retirement years.

MOPH photo
Harold Zahn

After serving four years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division during World War II, Harold returned home to Illinois and quickly became active in the Military Order of The Purple Heart. He never failed to express his patriotism.

Many nights after club meetings he and other veterans, all Purple Heart recipients, would end up at Washington Park Race Track in Homewood, Ill., to enjoy the last few races on the nightly program. When Balmoral opened up in the late 1960s he and I were there on opening night and we were fixtures ever since.

Harold, a resident of Park Forest, never owned horses; he just had a fondness for harness racing, the blue collar answer to Thoroughbred racing, which was known as the “Sport of Kings.” Unfortunately, Harold died before ever knowing that I would someday own a few trotters and would be a licensed amateur driver in the sport.

My wife LaVonne has said many times, “Harold would have absolutely loved it!”

Aside from being a fan, the closest Harold got to the sport was having painted famed Illinois driver Harry Burright’s helmet one time and he did get to listen to my radio program, “Harness Happenings,” that aired on several Chicago area radio stations in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Having retired from the building department in the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Harold occupied much of his time with his wife Marian and when they were not enjoying time with their children and grandchildren, he’d be doing the two things he enjoyed most — playing golf by day and going to the racetrack at night.

He was a huge fan of the races; in fact he was in his usual seat at Balmoral just a few days before his death and when he passed a live betting voucher was in his shirt pocket. I had to take it to the racetrack to cash it.

The first Zahn Memorial Race was held on the weekend of Harold’s 80th birthday in April 2002 and was attended by family members who presented the winning horse and driver with a Purple and White blanket in the winner’s circle. In the years that followed, awareness of the race grew and family members were joined by friends and dignitaries from six different states. Keenly aware of Harold’s love of country and how proud he was of his Purple Hearts, my wife and I decided to make the race a recognition to all Purple Heart veterans.

For a number of years, Harold’s first granddaughter, Mandy, performed the national anthem and schedule permitting it’s hoped that once again this year she’ll be joined in the winner’s circle prior to the races by a color guard of Purple Heart veterans as the anthem is presented. Mandy Z and her band, Rural Route 1, will be appearing live at the racetrack later this year, outside on the apron.

At race time, as I have from year one, I will have the privilege of announcing the post parade as horses and drivers appear on the Crete racetrack and I’ll explain briefly the reason behind the event for viewers across the simulcasting network and those attending the races live at the track.

It’s hard to imagine we’ve been doing this for 11 years now and when we go to the clubhouse we can still visualize Harold sitting there with his racing programs, cup of hot coffee and his smokes. This is just a small way we can honor a dad, grandfather, husband, race fan and most of all an American patriot, and because of him we’ve chosen as well to recognize and say thank you to all Purple Heart veterans.

The live racing program starts at 7:10 p.m. on April 14th at Balmoral Park.

Dad is buried just 10 minutes away from the racetrack and I believe that he will be watching, wagering and enjoying the festivities from the great racetrack in the sky.

The "Pillow Lady" & State Commander Dan Finn, Vince Mc Enerney Sr Vice, John Kapior Department Adjutant

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