I am thankful and honored to have been elected as your next Department of California Military Order of the Purple Heart Commander.  I am thankful for your trust in me to lead this great department. With your continued support we will build a department to be reckoned with for years to come. As Leaders we have sworn to accept this responsibility and to remember we are accountable to our Patriots and the Order. 

         As leaders our communication must be absolutely clear, and honest.  We must work as a team with our Associate and Auxiliary members.  Everyone has something worthwhile to share, and everyone should be heard.  Together we should realign/update and promote our many programs.  We should be represented in every committee and forge bonds to enrich our organization.  We should be out in our communities educating on what the meaning of the Purple Heart is and creating new partnerships.  The programs that we support such as JROTC/ROTC, Purple Heart cities, scholarships, and Americanism are important and relevant for our communities and the Order.  Suicide awareness education, mental health, VA benefits, and programs for veterans should be a priority for us.  To move the department into the next millennium, Recruitment should be a top priority.  We must become creative in recruiting new members to become our next generation leaders.

         We’ve had three great years due to the outstanding leadership of Past Department Commander Jo Keller, I have some big shoes to fill however with your support and hard work we will be able to continue to grow and keep moving forward in the right direction.

 

 

Raymond Wetzel

Commander