Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Greetings to all Patriots,

Summer is full speed ahead and I’m concerned of how long this will really last and it is anyone’s guess.  In the meantime, please stay hydrated and well.

I hope you will find interesting articles in this issue as every Veteran I know is busy volunteering to help each other. 

Kathy Laurier has also provided valuable information on our MOMs program.

Look in a future issue of the Patriot for an article from Pat Upah on decisions on the Copper Sword and Copper Eagle Awards.  Those chosen will be presented at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  Other information will be provided in a few months too.

Our Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society has joined the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce recently and we look forward to a rewarding and long-lasting commitment with the Chamber.

A UAV press release announcing the Class of 2019 is shown below.  It also has registration and lodging information as well.  I hope to see you all at the Induction to welcome our new members.

Thank you for all you do for veterans. 

Gerry Berger
AVHOFS President
Class of 2016

Aspire to Inspire before you Expire

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
c/o unified arizona veterans
p.o. box 34338
Phoenix, AZ 85067
(602) 799-9480 Cell

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct 
A New Class of 22 Veterans in Ceremonies
on October 18, 2019

For Immediate Release:  

Points of Contact: Bob Dalpe, Communications Director, cell 623.910.8195; or Carol Culbertson, Secretary, secretary@azuav.org, cell 602.799.9480

The annual Induction Ceremony of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame will take place on Friday, October 18th, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Talking Stick Resort Conference Center, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85256.  Doors open at 11:00 a.m.  The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is sponsored and administered by the Unified Arizona Veterans, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, www.azuav.org.  The Induction Ceremony recognizes and honors Arizona veterans who have honorably served their country and who continue to serve and inspire their fellow American citizens with civic deeds and accomplishments outside their military service, including Arizona Medal of Honor Recipients recognized for valor in action against enemy forces in wartime.  The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is recognized by the Governor of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, and supported by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  This will be the 19th class of veterans inducted since the inception of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2001.

This year’s Induction Ceremony will recognize the Class of 2019:

Arlan R. Allen, Jr., Army veteran, Phoenix, Arizona
William M. Bates, Army veteran, Sierra Vista
Francis M. Blain, USMC veteran, Lake Havasu City
John Travis Burns, Army veteran, Phoenix
Patricia Carlisle-Thompson, Army veteran, Wittmann
James T. Consolato, Jr., USAF veteran, Golden Valley
Robert E. Conte, Army veteran, Sierra Vista
Kenneth L. Dowse, Navy veteran, Tucson
James E. Fuller, USMC veteran, Mesa (posthumous)
Dennis W. Gardner, Navy veteran, Mesa
Roger D. Gowen, Navy veteran, Gold Canyon
Bruce E. Hamilton, Army veteran, Sonoita
Ludwig G. Kuttner, USMC veteran, Hereford
Larry D. Leighton, Army veteran, Sun City West
Thomas W. Meaker, USMC veteran, Laveen
Paula L. Pedene, Navy veteran, Scottsdale
Victor F. Peterson, Jr., USAF veteran, Buckeye
Michael A. Russell, Army veteran, Glendale
Jack N. Sanders, USAF veteran, Tucson
Thomas E. Sheets, USMC veteran, Phoenix
Donald D. Watts, USAF veteran, Peoria
Michael W. Wold, Navy veteran, Carefree

Veterans, military, and the public are invited to the Induction Ceremony, which includes lunch.  The lunch entrée will be Chicken.  Special dietary needs such as requests for vegetarian meals will be accommodated. 

Registration Information:  Registration information is now available at the Unified Arizona Veterans website: www.azuav.org.  You may register using a credit card on the website.  Or, you can download/print the Registration Form, fill it out, and mail the Registration Form and your check or money order ($55 per guest) payable to “UAV” to:  UAV, P.O. Box 34338, Phoenix, AZ 85067, Attn: Treasurer.    

The “Early Bird” registration cost is $55 per person until September 30, 2019.  From October 1st to October 10th, the registration fee, which includes lunch, changes to $65 per guest.  Registrations with payment must be received in the UAV post office box by September 30th, and October 10th, respectively. 

Veterans and the public who do not have access to the Registration form on the website www.azuav.org, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, telephone 602.799.9480 cell, to have the form mailed to you.  The final Registration due date
is October 10th, 2019.  Only registered guests will be allowed to attend the
Induction Ceremony with lunch.  All lunches are pre-paid; lunches will not be sold at the Induction Ceremony event.  For general information about the Induction Ceremony and luncheon, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: secretary@azuav.org, telephone 602.799.9480 cell.   

Recently we learned that the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) has among their various donation programs, one that is solely for ‘ADVS Employee Recognition’. 

Since the earliest days of the founding of the AVHOF, and subsequently this Society, we have been indebted to the ADVS for not only their support, but the very creation of the AVHOF.  Your assistance recognizing this dedicated group of men and women whose efforts are focused exclusively upon veterans is encouraged.  All of Arizona’s veterans have benefited from the work of individual and unnamed ADVS employees who quietly go about their work supporting us. The various veterans license plates that we display are an example of their ability to move comfortably through the halls of bureaucracy, another is the personal guidance rendered by ADVS Veterans Service Officers (VSO) to individuals quietly, one on one.  The list of services and support is plentiful.   

As we reach out to you, allow us to first acknowledge your personal generosity to houses of worship, charities and multiple organizations.  The purpose here is to inform you of an additional worthy opportunity that ultimately recognizes individuals.   As Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen – we know the value of individual recognition, and now is another very good opportunity to acknowledge those who have our backs.

Donations can be made by individual check or online. 

1. To donate by Check: (Mail your check to):

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services
3939 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ, 85012

A donation by personal check MUST include the words “ADVS Employee Recognition” on the memo line.  We encourage an additional optional comment such as “AVHOFS Member”.

2. To donate Online:

1. Access the ADVS webpage at: dvs.az.gov
   
2. Click on the ‘DONATE Tab’
3. Select the ‘ADVS Online Donation Portal’ (It will inform you that you are leaving the ADVS site – click ‘OK’.
4. Complete the CHARITABLE DONATIONS page.  At the bottom you must check the button for ‘ADVS Employee Recognition”.
5. Be sure to print out a copy of your donation page.

Donations made online currently do not allow annotations such as “AVHOFS Member”.  We have suggested a donor page edit to allow brief comments such as shown above, or any other type of personal “In Memory of…” comment. 

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

CENTURY CLUB STATUS

I think most of you are aware that our Century Club contributions go into our scholarship fund.  You may not be aware of the many wonderful people that receive these scholarships.  Last March one of the scholarships, in the amount of $2,500, was awarded to Jacqueline Ortiz.  Let me tell you more about this very busy lady.

Jacqueline Ortiz is a Tucson University High School student and a volunteer with the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System where she transports veterans, equipment and patient comfort items.  Her official title is a VA Ambassador; unofficially she is known by the veterans and staff as “Smiley”.  She is President of the U.S. History Study Help Club and President of the University High School Cyber Patriot Team and works part time at a local addiction rehabilitation center.  Jacqueline earned her Certificate of Arizona Technical Skills Standards in Software Development.  She plans to attend Vanderbilt University and aspires to be a U.S. Air Force Cyber Security Analyst. 

Jacqueline is typical of the type of high school students who help our veterans in so many different ways.  Please keep Jacqueline and the others like her in mind when making your annual Century Club contribution.

By the way, as of the end of July our members have contributed $4,875 this year to our Century Club.  That figure sets a new record for the money contributed in any one year since the Century Club started!  Are you one of the members who contributed?

 GREEN - $101-$199   BLUE - $200-$299   RED - $300 and above

Be Connected is a statewide program focused on reducing deaths by suicide in Arizona’s military and veteran population by connecting service members, veterans and their families to support and resources.  Be Connected focuses on providing the tools, support and training for each person to make a difference in the lives of those around them by being trained and prepared to reach out or respond in a moment of need.
There are three goals for the Be Connected program:

1. Reduce deaths by suicide in Arizona’s population of service members and veterans
2. Build upon existing capacity and strengths within our service systems, adding a new layer of coordination and support.
3. Demonstrate effectiveness and develop a sustainability plan that builds program components into systems and funding

Whether you need help and support for you or your family or whether you are helping someone, you can call 1-866-4AZ-VETS (429-8387) 24/7 and talk to a Navigator who will connect you with the resources you need.  This service is available to you statewide.

A key part of Be Connected is that each of us can have a role in connecting service members, veterans and their families to support and resources.  Everyone has the potential to help so everyone is invited to participate in training in person and online.  The training provided under Be Connected is focused on preparing you, so you are ready to reach out or respond when someone needs help connecting to support or resources.
Check the Be Connected website at www.BeConnectedAZ.org for details on training opportunities so you can be better prepared to help.

Vet Mom receiving baby items

In 2007, AVHOFS Member Kathleen Laurier (Class of 2012) and her sister Barbara began volunteering at the VA.  They were requested by the Women’s Program Manager, KJ Sloan, to create a tracking system for pregnant female veterans who were attached to the Phoenix VA.  As there was no birthing center at the Phoenix VA, the veterans were outsourced to their own doctors.  There was no record at that time as to what doctors the girls had gone to, had they given birth, and were their bills current.  Kathleen and Barbara set up a system to log information from first knowledge of pregnancy through breast-feeding.  This system has now become a nationally required program at all VAs.

Baby items for Vet Moms

Another program that KJ requested was a gifting of personal and baby items to each female veteran before giving birth.  This program started small but grew as women’s groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, and others, began giving Kathleen and Barbara “baby showers”.  Recently, a baby shower was given by the Military Women Across the Nation, which includes many members of our Society.  

The items donated are kept at the VA and baskets are made and given to each mother right before delivery.  For some veterans, these are the only items they receive, and each mother is very appreciative.  The program has extended to other VAs across the country, including Puerto Rico. 

Kathy preparing a gift basket

The gifting program has continued through the years, however, Kathleen and Barbara stepped away for a while, but were asked to return by Kristen Nordquist, the current Women’s Program Manager.  Upon their return the program began to work with Veterans First and Society member, Joan Sisco.  The program was then titled the “MOMS” program, “Military Outreach for Moms”.  Very often groups forget that there are women veterans, and Kathleen and Barbara often speak to groups, telling them about this program and the female veterans who attend at the Phoenix VA.  They also do purchasing of needed items with donations from various organizations.  AVHOFS has generously given to this program, allowing many mothers to have personal care items and baby necessities that they otherwise might not receive.  An accounting is made to the Board of all supplies purchased.

The country store will be open September 1
through September 30, 2019.
Go to our website to order

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

Pat Upah AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

On June 24th AVHOFS President Gerry Berger (Class of 2016), AVHOFS Director Pat Little-Upah (Class of 2014) and President of Honor House, and Joan Sisco (Class of 2009) and President of Veterans First, joined a large crowd in Surprise Arizona for the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Veterans Reflection Circle dedicated to Brian Mancini (Class of 2017) and the founder of The Honor House.

The area will include gardens and areas of reflection and quiet next to a beautiful lake in Surprise.  Jesse Wested, an Honor House Board member, was the designer for the project capturing Brian’s love for nature and poetry.  The completion and dedication will be on Veterans Day 2019.  For more information visit the Honor House website at www.thehonorhouse.org.  Brian’s pictures shown in the small insert is taken from the AVHOFS website.

There were about 50,000 people in attendance from all over the White Mountain areas. Pat (Class of 2015) was a parade participant and has been for many years.

Request you let us know as soon as you know of an inductee’s passing.  If available, we would like to know the inductee’s name, date of passing, funeral and memorial service details, and a copy of the obituary.  Send notices to me at bergergerry@hotmail.com.

Known members that have passed so far this year are:

Arden Rowley (Class of 2004) passed 14 June
James Seidl (Class of 2006) passed 16 June
Joseph Schneider (Class of 2009) passed 17 June

30 Sep 19
Postmark deadline for submitting nominations for the Copper Shield and Copper Star. See azuav.org

9 Oct 19
Annual Business Meeting at a location to be determined.

18 Oct 19
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale (same as last year).  Please note the date.  This is a week earlier than normal.

8 Jan 20
Annual General Membership Meeting at the Arizona State Veterans Home, Phoenix

8 May 20
Patriotic Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Doubletree Scottsdale, 5401 N. Scottsdale Rd. Reception at 1100, Luncheon at noon.  Note that the event has been changed from a dinner to a luncheon!  The date has changed as well.

Many of our Society members are very active in their communities.  You are invited to send me articles with pictures of our “members in action”.  Be sure to identify the members in the pictures.  We will select a few of the best for publication.  Please send to me (tom Hessler) at tjhessler@cox.net.