This last summer the officers of the Chief Joseph Chapter 509 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, representing Veterans with Purple Hearts in the Treasure Valley area (Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell) of Idaho, decided on a change of uniform in an attempt to reach out to more Veterans and create some enthusiasm for our mission. “The mission of the Military Order of The Purple Heart – MOPH – is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism; support necessary legislative initiatives; and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families”. The old uniform is pure vintage WWII – an outdated “Garrison Hat” in purple and white and a coat of some type with the MOPH logo on the lapel – left a lot to be desired in terms of looks and being up to date.
The decision to get creative came about during our Chapters attendance and participation in the POW/MIA Rally and Rodeo held in Pocatello in July of this year. This was mainly a Harley Davidson motorcycle event and most Harley riders wear a black vest covered with patches and whatnot from their riding days and membership in various organizations. We, Bob Lenigan the MOPH Idaho Department Commander, Pete Oakander the Chapter 509 Commander, and Henry Parker the Idaho Department and Chapter 509 Treasurer, made the command decision to purchase some black vests right then and there and then decorate them with the appropriate patches worn by members of the MOPH and the units we all served in while in the Military. In an attempt at conformity on the front of the vest are an American Flag on the upper left lapel and the Purple Heart ribbon on the right opposite. Additional patches that relate to the particular wearer can be added also. On the back of the vest at the top is a patch dictating ones membership in their respective service – Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. Under that is a large Purple Heart Ribbon patch, and under that is another patch dictating which conflict the wearer and receiver of the Purple Heart was in. For the three of us we have a patch that says Viet Nam Veteran done in the colors of the Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon. To top it off we created a baseball cap in black with an outline of Idaho overlaid with the Purple Heart Ribbon.
Our first public wearing of the vests and hats was at the Idaho Veterans Olympics held at the Boise VA Hospital grounds this last Saturday – September 24th. Both the Idaho Department and Chapter 509 donated $500 dollars to the event to purchase the medals and ribbons handed out to the participants – which we did. Needless to say, and with much satisfaction on our part, the vests were well received by all who attended and took notice. There is really no mistaking who and what we represented – which was our goal. So if you are a Veteran and were awarded the Purple Heart, or know someone who has the Purple Heart, and want or need help wading through the VA system and you see one of us with our vests and baseball caps on at one of the local military events that occur on an annual basis here in the area then please stop us and say hello and we will gladly help you out. If you are reading this article and want to contact us directly you can do so by contacting Pete Oakander at 208-585-9399 or go directly to the MOPH website at www.purpleheart.org . If other Purple Heart Recipients see this and want a vest they can contact “Wink-n-Twink” and get a great deal PLUS she will donate back some of the money collected to the Military Order of the Purple Heart!
Wink N Twink Embroidery, LLC, Satin-edge sew-on patches for Bikers
http://shop.winkntwink.com/ 11621 Kuna Road Kuna, ID 83634-2611
(208) 362-2202
