The color red usually stands for courage, bravery and heroism. Blue represents determination and perseverance. It is ironic that what is commonly considered as opposites would be able to produce the noblest of colors when mixed together….purple. Throughout history, and even in the Bible, the color purple symbolized royal authority, power and dignity. Maybe it was for these qualities that being awarded the Purple Heart Award meant sacrifice that is without parallel and beyond the call of duty.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart or MOPH is the only organization officially granted to be an institution by Congress in 1958 to represent the military veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. It was formed for the safeguard and mutual interest of all those who were decorated with the Purple Heart Medal.
The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to create an organization that will help develop cooperation, friendship and trust among veterans who have been wounded in combat or warfare, to promote loyalty and love for country, to support legislative acts or proposal that will further their cause, and to provide necessary assistance to the veterans and their immediate family. Loyalty and love for country means true allegiance to the government of the United States of America and to its constitution.
The MOPH headquarters is located in Springfield, Virginia. To date, it has a total membership of 43,000.
To become a member, one must be of good moral character, has not been dishonorably discharged, and has been decorated the Purple Heart Medal.
If the eligible member has passed away, immediate family (lineal) members can become Associate Members. If one is the mother, wife, daughter, sister, widow, step-daughter, granddaughter, or legally adopted lineal descendant of the eligible member, then one is also eligible to become a member of the Ladies Auxiliary (LAMOPH).
The Military Order of the Purple Heart has several national programs like the National Service Program which directly assists veterans to as far as Guam and Puerto Rico, in receiving well-deserved benefits. Assistance can take the form of legal assistance or representation. One does not need to be an MOPH member to avail of the National Service Program. There is also the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS), a program that assists veterans who are in VA facilities and homes or centers.
To date, the VAVS is the largest volunteer program in the U.S.A. In fulfillment of their mission to promote patriotism, there is the Americanism program where MOPH provides materials and volunteers who give talks in schools and in civic organizations about their experiences and give their own perspective on current world issues. The Purple Heart Trail program seeks to pay special tribute to those Purple Heart Medal recipients by placing signs and visual reminders along the roads and highways. The first Purple Heart Trail started in Mount Vernon, Virginia where General George Washington is buried. The MOPH Scholarship Program is given to members or direct family members who meet certain academic criteria including a cumulative GPA average of at least 2.75.
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