11/17/2025
Caring for America in Henderson County hosted an extraordinary Veterans Day program in Athens Texas. Keynote was Eric Newton, Sr. Vice Commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 1513, (who also serves as Jr. Vice Commander of Department of Texas MOPH). It was an amazing evening of patriotism and valor. Honoring all who served in Henderson County.
Caring for America of Henderson County has accomplished the goal set forth by it's President, Ben Pate. Ben wanted to designate every city / town in Henderson County, the county itself, the Trinity Valley Community College, the VFW. Paint Henderson County Purple! Although it was a big audacious goal, it is now completed covering 930 Square Miles and 27 Cities! MOPH 1513 believes this to be a first in Texas - to complete an entire county, which was accomplished by several volunteers, in conjunction with MOPH - Chapter 1513 over the past year. Lisa Holmes-Lunkwicz, Chapter Adjutant, and Eric Walter, Chapter Jr. Vice Commander went to every designation and then submitted to Joe Sutton at National HQ of MOPH. Thank you Joe for your heavy lifting on this!!
During the Veterans Day Ceremony in Athens - Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1513 read the proclamation and presented a sign to one more entity in Henderson County - Caring for America of Henderson County, A Purple Heart Organization. MOPH 1513 also recognized Ben Pate, an Army Veteran, for his Superior Commitment to the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Attending the Veterans Day event was: Eric Newton, Gus Wittschack (Chapter Finance Officer and Region V Commander) and his wife Associate Member Rose Wittschack, Eric Walter Chapter 1513 Jr. Vice Commander, Lisa Holmes (Chapter 1513 Adjutant), Member: Elvis Allen.
Purple Heart Recipients James Hawkins, Bill Monroe and Jerome Wemitt also in attendance.
The Caring for America Designation Team consisted of: Ben and Debbie Pate, Jennifer Browning, Elvis Allen, Bill Monroe, Jerome Wemitt, Cliff McKenzie (photographer), Ronnie and Lulu Payne, David Apperson, and Greg Carver.
Combat Wounded Service Organization represented by Lisa Lunkwicz was also in attendance