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DEPARTMENT OF OKLAHOMA Convention Minutes         

1st Day (Friday 3June) LaQuinta Inn, Muskogee, OK                                   

1.    Opening Ceremony (Friday, June 3rd, 2011) and the posting of colors, 1300hrs. Meeting called to order/opening remarks: Commander Cris Ford.

2.    Salute/Pledge of Allegiance (Sgt-At-Arms):

3.    Invocation (Chaplain):

"Lord God of our Fathers, we thank you for our manifold blessings, the inspirations and joys of life, our companionship and association, one with another. We pray you bless us assembled here tonight, in reverence of God and in loyalty to our country. Guide the deliberations of this meeting. Prosper all our Patriotic Endeavors. May the policies adopted at this meeting ever uphold the best and finest expressions of Patriotism and good citizenship. May our chief concern be the integrity of our nation and the peace of the world. Strengthen us in the service of our country, that our country may be a source of hope and blessing to the world. Amen”.                

4.       Introduction of Visitors/Guests (by Senior Vice Bill Schipper) MOPH Region 5 Commander Frederico Ray, Boyd Barclay (National Finance Officer), Ron Simon, past Region 5 Commander, Don Nichols, National Employment Officer, Russell Smith, National Magazine Editor, Don Clapsaddle, National Aide De Camp, Elaine Ray, National Junior Vice President, Pat Richard, Dept. OK President, Jeanette Mosley Nat'l Sgt at Arms and Charlotte Dunn, Nat'l Patriotic Instructor.

5.     Mr. Chris McClellan gave an introductory Speech about being appointed the acting Regional Manager of the DVA. Mayor Taylor and Commander Ray also had their turn.

6.   Commander Ford says a few words and said that he had wanted to have a formal opening at the convention for some time. He said that registration would continue through the next morning and that the Hospitality Room would be open at 1700hrs. He also said that golf was available for whoever wanted to play.

7.   Salute to the flag, prayer and adjournment, 1020hrs.

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 Second Day, Saturday 4June, 2011 Dept. Convention opens for business, La Quinta Inn, Muskogee 

  1.    Convention Called to Order-Dept. Cmdr 0904hrs

       A.  Flag Salute-Dept. Sgt-at-Arms

       B.  Prayer-Dept Chaplain

       C.  Greeting and Special Instructions-Dept. Cmdr

       D.  Introduction of Visitors/Guests (by Senior Vice Charles Scott): John Taylor (Mayor of Muskogee), MOPH Region 5 Commander Frederico Ray, Chris McClellan (New Director, Regional office DVA), Boyd Barclay (National Finance Officer), Ron Simon, past Region 5 Commander, Don Nichols, National Employment Officer,, Russel Smith, National Magazine Editor, Don Clapsaddle, National Aide De Camp, Chris Ford, Dept OK Commander 2009-2011, Elaine Ray, National Junior Vice President, Pat Richard, Dept. OK President, Jeanette Mosley Nat'l Sgt at Arms and Charlotte Dunn, Nat'l Patriotic Instructor.

9:30-9:40                         Remarks from Special Guests

Region 5 Commander Frederico Ray said nice things about the Dept of Oklahoma and this convention in particular. He went on to talk about how important getting the Election, Finance and 990N reports in on time. His wife Elaine Ray seconded him about our having a good convention and also talked about the need for more Lamoph involvement with the Dept and also membership importance.

Patriot Doug Penny, his son and another rodeo guy named Skeeter presented a proposal/request for $500 for a large MOPH sign to be made and used at various rodeos for PR purposes. After some discussion, this was voted against as not really being within the scope of our charter.

Mrs. Jane Smith said that there was a raffle for a beautiful quilt for $10/ticket and also to please bid on various items on the Silent Auction.

BREAK  ~9:40-9:50-----------------------------------------------------------------

 9:50-10:30 Committee Breakouts-Finance & Nominating

10:30-10:45  Roll Call of Officers-Dept. Adjutant

1.         Roll Call of DEPT. Officers (Adjutant):

*" Means an elected position. "X" means present.

* Commander: Cris Ford: X

* Senior Vice: Charles Scott: X   

* Junior Vice: Bill Schipper: X     

* Finance Officer: RESIGNED DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS

*Sgt-At-Arms: Pete Bailey: X 

* Judge Advocate: Robert Blaine Jones: EXCUSED   

* Inspector: Ted McDaris: ABSENT

National Executive Committeeman: Bill Schipper: X    

National (Alternate) Exec. Com: Hal Sharpe: X     

Adjutant: Bruce Dwyer: X

Chaplain: Don Nichols: X

Americanism: RESIGNED DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS

Legislative: Bill Schipper:  X  

Welfare: Harmon Thompson: X    

Historian: Bob Ferguson: X    

Service Officer: STILL VACANT

Chief of Staff: Don Clapsaddle and National Aide De Camp: X  

Chapter Commanders

Blaine Jones -CH 563 (918-283-1035) EXCUSED

Russell Smith-CH 568 (405-625-4507) X

Charles Scott-CH 589 (918-851-8478) X

Gary Bounds-CH 602 (580-248-3424) X

 Dennis Parrott-CH 641 (918-431-1996) X  

****Note 1: All Chapter Commanders or their delegate and all PNC’s or PDC’s are also a “pro Forma” member of the DEC. 

10:45-11:30      A. Report of Chapter Commanders

                         B. Report of Membership-Dept. Sr. Vice

                         C. General Body excused-Dept. Cmdr.

11:30-11:45      Nominating & Credentials Committee-Bruce Dwyer/Chair

11:45-12:00      Finance Meeting-Bruce Dwyer/Chair

LUNCH ~12:00-1:00 Lunch on your own------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:00-2:30                       Convention Called Back to Order-Dept Cmdr

                          A. Report of Nominating Committee

                          B. Instructions regarding delegate voting-Dept Adj.

2:30-3:00                       Election 2010-2011 Dept Officers

*" Means an elected position. "X" means present.

* Commander: Charles Scott: X

* Senior Vice: Bill Schipper: X   

* Junior Vice: Ron Simon: X    

* Finance Officer: Hal Sharpe, Jr.: X

*Sgt-At-Arms: Pete Bailey: X

* Judge Advocate: Robert Blaine Jones: EXCUSED/ACCEPTED POSITION    

* Inspector: Ted McDaris: ABSENT

National Executive Committeeman: Bill Schipper: X    

National (Alternate) Exec. Com: Hal Sharpe: X     

Adjutant: Bruce Dwyer: X

Chaplain: Don Nichols: X

Americanism: Don Nichols: X

Legislative: Bill Schipper: X  

Welfare: Harmon Thompson: X    

Historian: Bob Ferguson: X    

Service Officer: STILL VACANT

Chief of Staff: Don Clapsaddle and National Aide De Camp: X  

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4:00-5:00      Hospitality Room Open

6:00              Social Gathering

6:15              POW/MIA Table. Very moving reading by Commander Chris Ford

6:30               Banquet

                      A.  Banquet Guests and Their Organizations

Rep. George Faught, Rep John Bennee (and 1st Sgt in Broken Arrow), Senator Inhoffe's aide Karla Nieman, William Rhodes (New Director of the Fort Gibson and Fort Sill cemeteries) John Taylor (Mayor of Muskogee), MOPH Region 5 Commander Frederico Ray, Boyd Barclay (National Finance Officer), Ron Simon, past Region 5 Commander, Don Nichols, National Employment Officer, Russel Smith, National Magazine Editor, Don Clapsaddle, National Aide De Camp, Chris Ford, Dept OK Commander 2009-2011, Elaine Ray, National Junior Vice President, Pat Richard, Dept. OK President, Jeanette Mosley Nat'l Sgt at Arms and Charlotte Dunn, Nat'l Patriotic Instructor.

                              1. Rep. George Faught Made a nice speech, saying that we have a PH week                                        by statute (last week in May), but it might be nice to have a PH day (August                                         7th), which ties in with the National PH Day. Working on it.

                              2. Rep. John Bennett gave a great speech about the War on terror;                                                 particularly his experience with it..

                              3. Carla Niemann and William Rhodes also gave nice, informative                                                       speeches.

                    B.  *Essay Winner Recognition & Award

                    *NONE THIS YEAR-SCHOOLS DIDN"T HAVE TIME

                    C.  Installation of New Officers. Sworn in by Region 5 Commander  Frederico Ray. See above list of officers.

                    D. Commander Chris Ford presents Patriot Dwyer with the Dept. OK   Patriot of the Year Award and Patriot Commander Ray said Dwyer  also took Region 5.

                    E. Patriot Bill Schipper said that he was giving the 2010-2011 Don Clapsaddle Award to OKC's Patriot Commander Russell Smith, but  that he didn't have the actual award yet (Patriot Dwyer to come up  with one at a later date).

                    F. Patriot Dwyer gave a funny speech about Commander Ford and said that an actual award was coming, but that he'd forgotten it (Patriot Dwyer to bring the one he forgot from home next time). Patriot Dwyer also presented Chris with an assortment of gag gifts.  Dwyer went  on to sincerely praise Patriot Ford's outstanding performance during his two years as the MOPH's Oklahoma Dept. Commander.

                    G. Patriot Gary Bounds won the PH quilt and many other silent  auction award winners were announced.

8:00                             Hospitality Room Opens

SUNDAY, June 7th, 2009

9:00-9:10                        Convention called to order-New Dept Cmdr Charles Scott

9:10-10:00                      Memorial Service

10:00-10:15                    Joint Closing Ceremony-New Dept. Cmdr

                                        A.  Flag Salute-Dept. Sgt-at-Arms

                                        B.  Prayer-Department Chaplain

10:30-11:30                    Meeting of the new Dept. Executive Committee

 All Recipients of the Purple Heart Medal are welcome to attend!!!                       

           DEPARTMENT OF OKLAHOMA DEC Minutes         

                                         6June2011     Post-Convention Meeting, Muskogee.                                   

1.        Meeting called to order/opening remarks: 0920hrs

Commander Charles Scott called the meeting to order.   Introduction of Visitors/Guests (Senior Vice Bill Schipper): MOPH Region 5 Commander Frederico Ray, Chris McClellan (New Director, Regional office DVA), Boyd Barclay (National Finance Officer), Ron Simon, past Region 5 Commander, Don Nichols, National Employment Officer,, Russel Smith, National Magazine Editor, Don Clapsaddle, National Aide De Camp, Chris Ford, Dept OK Commander 2009-2011, Elaine Ray, National Junior Vice President, Pat Richard, Dept. OK President, Jeanette Mosley Nat'l Sgt at Arms and Charlotte Dunn, Nat'l Patriotic Instructor.

2.        Salute/Pledge of Allegiance (Sgt-At-Arms):

3.        Invocation (Chaplain):

"Lord God of our Fathers, we thank you for our manifold blessings, the inspirations and joys of life, our companionship and association, one with another. We pray you bless us assembled here tonight, in reverence of God and in loyalty to our country. Guide the deliberations of this meeting. Prosper all our Patriotic Endeavors. May the policies adopted at this meeting ever uphold the best and finest expressions of Patriotism and good citizenship. May our chief concern be the integrity of our nation and the peace of the world. Strengthen us in the service of our country, that our country may be a source of hope and blessing to the world. Amen”.                    

4.         Roll Call of 2011-2012 DEPT. Officers (Adjutant):

*" Means an elected position. "X" means present.

* Commander: Charles Scott: X

* Senior Vice: Bill Schipper: X   

* Junior Vice: Ron Simon: X    

* Finance Officer: Hal Sharpe, Jr.: X

*Sgt-At-Arms: Pete Bailey: X

* Judge Advocate: Robert Blaine Jones: EXCUSED    

* Inspector: Ted McDaris: ABSENT

National Executive Committeeman: Bill Schipper: X    

National (Alternate) Exec. Com: Hal Sharpe: X     

Adjutant: Bruce Dwyer: X

Chaplain: Don Nichols: X

Americanism: Don Nichols: X

Legislative: Bill Schipper: X  

Welfare: Harmon Thompson: X    

Historian: Bob Ferguson: ABSENT   

Service Officer: STILL VACANT

Chief of Staff: Don Clapsaddle and National Aide De Camp: X  

Chapter Commanders

Blaine Jones -CH 563 (918-283-1035) EXCUSED

Russell Smith-CH 568 (405-625-4507) X

Charles Scott-CH 589 (918-851-8478) X

Gary Bounds-CH 602 (580-248-3424) X

Dennis Parrott-CH 641 (918-431-1996) X  

****Note 1: All Chapter Commanders or their delegate and all PNC’s or PDC’s are also a “pro Forma” member of the DEC. 

5.           Reading of The Minutes of last meeting: Passed w/o being read.

6.           Report of Finance Officer:

            A)Patriot Hal Sharpe, Jr., said that we had about $2,882.88. All bills paid.

7.    Reports of Committees:

               A) Finance Committee: No Report.

The 2011-2012 Finance Committee members are:
Commander Charles Scott.

Patriot Hal Sharpe, Jr.

Patriot Harmon Thompson.

Patriot Don Clapsaddle.

Patriot Bill Schipper.

Patriot Bruce Dwyer.

8.   Welfare Officer: Patriot Thompson just said that Jean Beliel is in the hospital.

 Commander: “Are there any other fellow Patriots sick or in need?”

9.   Americanism: (Patriot Nichols): NO REPORT YET

10.                  Special Committees:

            A) Chapter Reinstatements or Closings:  New chapter opening in Cushing still possible.

11.                  Reports of Chapters (1St meeting no reports/normal):

A) 563/Rogers County (Claremore): NONE. Meeting place is: The Claremore Veterans Center CHAPEL @ 1000 AM, 2nd SATURDAY of each month. Blaine Jones is the Commander. 918-825-0123. tbjones@sbcglobal.net.

Other POC Name/PH#: Don Clapsaddle, Adjutant; 

dsaddle@windstream.net  918 449 1441            

 B) 568/OKC: NONE. Chapter 568 is now meeting at Northwest Christian Church in Oklahoma City.  It is located at the corner of N. May and NW 30th street, the address is 2828 NW 30th. 

Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1900.

OKC POC Name/PH#: Russell Smith is the Commander. 405-625-4507/8900 email is Rsmith7042@yahoo.com.

C) 589/Tulsa:NONE.  We meet at 6:30 p.m. Second Monday of each month in the Floral Haven Family Center, 6420 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow (near Tulsa). E-Mail: sscott711@aol.com 

 D) 602/Lawton: NONE. Chapter 602 Meetings are normally  held the first Tuesday of each month, 630 P.M.  @ American Legion Post 29, 605 SW 11th St., Lawton, Oklahoma 73501 580-357-2827. 

Gary Bounds, Commander. 580-248-3424.    Also Adjutant Bruce Dwyer 580-583-6417 (brucedwyer@sbcglobal.net).

E) 641/Tahlequah: NONE. Tahlequah meets the first Friday every month at 12:00 noon at the Restaurant of the Cherokees. POC Name/PH#: Commandeer is Dennis Parrott-CH 641 (918-431-1996) Donald Nichols is another POC. (918) 456-2866/(918) 453-9206.  E-Mail: Nicholsdon@sbcglobal.net 

12. Readings of Orders and Communications: NONE THIS TIME

13. Old Business:

               A) Patriot Dwyer said that we needed to do away with the Department's Consitution and Bylaws, which Patriot Blaine Rodgers had researched and recommended. Motion made and passed to do so.               

               B) Patriot Dwyer said that he would check on when the already approved $300~ for 13 of the new Procedures manual were available sometime this year.

               C) "Continuing Note #1":  Patriot Dwyer: ALL CHAPTERS AND THE LAMOPH INVITED TO SEND ANYTHING IN ABOUT THEIR CHAPTER'S ACTIVITIES, OR ANYTHING THEY WANT SAID (NEW RECRUITMENT, GOALS, ETC.), either for insertion into the website or the next newsletter.

14.                  New Business:

               A) Patriot Don Nichols and Chris Ford have much to say about Veterans needing jobs and the federal governments woeful performance in hiring them.

 Patriot Hal Sharpe said that the VA had talked to the OK Vets Council and told them that they were doing everything possible to hire veterans.

Patriot Barclay makes motion tosend a resolution to National that they try to make the VA hire more veterans. Motion Carried.

                B) Patriot Dwyer and others said that we had to keep pressure on the OK congressman re the Widows Sales Tax Bill SB46. patriot Hal Sharpe said that YOU NEED TO PHONE THEM AND TALK TO THEM IN PERSON NEXT TIME (this fall or next spring).

               C) Patriot Dwyer made the motion that we donate $250 to the LAMOPH to support them. The motion passed.

                 D) Patriot Ford reminded us to get with Rep. George Faught re the proposed 7August PH Day in Oklahoma.

15.  Legislative Report (Patriot Schipper): NO REPORT

16.  Good of the Order: Patriot Russell, take a look at www.purplestore.com.

                                CLOSING CEREMONY

Commander: “If there is no further business to come before us. We will proceed to adjourn”.

“Once again we come to the close of a meeting of loyal Patriots of the Military Order of the Purple Hearts of the USA.  No human tie can be closer than the association of Patriots who have qualified for this most treasured heritage by shedding their blood in the defense of their country.  Before we adjourn, let us stand in silent tribute in honor of our fellow Patriots who have departed this life”.

(Three raps of the gavel). “UNCOVER!”

Chaplain: “Almighty God, we thank you for the opportunity of association and memories. We pray that you will incline our hearts to entertain a brotherly affection for one another and for our fellow citizens. We pray you dispose us all to justice, kindly impulse and mercy. As we declare our loyalty to our country, help us to keep in mind the need of faith in God and immortality, without which life is meaningless and vain. In that faith and conviction, we can and do say to one another and to those who have departed from this life, ‘FAREWELL, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN’. …………………..“AMEN.”

COMMANDER “Recover" Patriot Sgt. at Arms, Retire the colors” (after the Sgt. at Arms takes position) “Patriots. Join me in the salute to our National Flag”.

“Right hand Salute!" (after the Sgt. at Arms removes the Flag) “Two!”

“I now declare this meeting adjourned”…….1020hrs.

KEY DATES:

1. National Convention: The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and the Ladies Auxiliary of the MOPH (LAMOPH) are pleased to announce that the national convention will be held this year in Saint Paul, MN during the week of 9-13 August 2011, at the Crown Plaza Riverfront Hotel. For reduced rates, you are encouraged to register prior to 1 July, 2011.

2. DEC Meetings: Tentatively, all meetings to be held in Nicoma Park just outside (East) of OKC on Saturdays at 10am.

7-23-2011

9-17-2011

11-19-2011

2-11-2012

4-14-2012