Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Dear Patriots,

Thank you all for reading our Vice President’s article about the plans for the Annual Business meeting in our September issue of the Patriot. I hope to see you at the meeting at the American Legion Post 44 in Scottsdale on the 9th of October. There is much information to share from our Society.

Now, it is very important for you to register promptly for the Induction Ceremony scheduled for the 18th of October as the deadline for registering is the 7th of October. You will see a detailed article from our UAV friends, Reggie Yates and Rob Welch. There is contact information there if you need assistance. I invite all Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame members to attend and wear your medallions, please.

The “Be Connected” program in Arizona is continuing to expand so please become familiar with it and learn more through the free training as well as continued updates on their website. 

I have noted plenty of very interesting celebrations and events scheduled for October; for example, it is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness months as well.  Please remember Columbus Day on the 14th of October and prepare for any ‘goblins and ghosts’ in late October.

May all your October days bring you joy and help spread joy too.

Thank you for all you do for veterans. 

Gerry Berger
Aspire to Inspire before you Expire

American Legion Post 44, 7145 E. 2nd St, Scottsdale AZ. 
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
10:00 – 12:00

The Post has a dining area with a fairly extensive menu, open for lunch, that members may wish to take advantage of and continue socializing with your fellow Society members while enjoying your lunch selection.  If you have not already done so, please mark your calendars and plan to attend. 
AVHOFS Annual Business Meeting 2019 Agenda

1. Call to Order/BOD Roll Call – Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)
2. Pledge of Allegiance – Roy McClymonds (Class of 2017)
3. Opening Prayer – Vincent Sanchez (Class of 2016)
4. Welcome & Introduction of meeting attendees – Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)
5. Admin remarks from TAL host – Judi Beischel (Class of 2012)
6. Treasurers Report – Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010) for Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011)
7. Century Club – Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010) for Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011)
8. Strategic Plan Status/Accomplishments – Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)
9. 2019 AVHOF Nominations and Induction Ceremony/UAV – UAV Rep
10. Patriotic Recognition Luncheon Update – Kathy Laurier (Class of 2012)
11. Foundation Committee Report – Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)/Lee Lange (Class of 2018)
12. Nomination Committee Report and Election – Gary Fredricks (Class of 2010)
13. Maternity Outreach 4 Mothers (MOMS) Project Report – Kathy Laurier (Class of 2012)
14. Veterans Courts Project Report – Sam Young (Class of 2012)
15. Alliance of AZ Nonprofits & SWVCC/SWVF Alliance – Ron Perkins (Class of 2012)
16. Around the Table/Good of the Order – comments & questions from the floor
17. Adjourn – Gerry Berger (Class of 2016)

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP

Gary Fredricks AVHOFS Vice President Class of 2010

Our Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Bylaws require an Annual Business Meeting of the Membership annually for the purposes of organization, the election of directors and officers and the transaction of other business.  As noted in an earlier Patriot, that meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the American Legion Post 44, 7145 E. 2nd St, Scottsdale AZ.  The meeting will start at 10:00 AM and should conclude about noon.  Member participation is very important to the success of our Society.  Please plan to attend. 

AVHOFS 2019 Nominating Committee Report

Our Nominating Committee has worked diligently to develop a recommended slate of officers and directors to assume Society leadership in January for those positions with expiring terms of office.  That recommended slate of officers follows and nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

Slate of Officers and directors submitted for election this year with terms running 2020/2021

• Secretary – Rachel Gutierrez (Class of 2016) (incumbent)
• Treasurer – Jerry Wojtas (Class of 2011) (incumbent)
• Director – Joe Little (Class of 2016) (incumbent)
• Director – Pat Farrell (Class of 2015) (incumbent)
• Director – Pete Kloeber (Class of 2018) (new)

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

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 month I told you about one of the scholarship recipients.  This month I will tell you about another recipient from this past April.

Sabrina Arevalo, a high school senior, is the President of the Veterans Heritage Project Club at Notre Dame Preparatory.  She has written and published four stories in her time with VHP.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and a House Captain in her Student Congress.  Outside of her school involvement, Sabrina is an active member of National Charity League, and competes on the state, national and international levels of karate.  Her hobbies include playing the piano and the guitar.  Sabrina’s goal is to serve others, and she plans to study nursing.

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

By the way, as of the end of September, our members have contributed over $5,000 to our Century Club.  That amount is a new record for money contributed in any one year and continues to grow with each member’s contribution.  Are you one of the members who contributed?

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

Reggie Yates 2019 Induction Co-Chair Class of 2013

Rob Welch 2019 Induction Co-Chair Class of 2016

We at Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) and Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) are excited to be just a few days away from the ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY which will be held on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019, at the TALKING STICK RESORT (TSR) CONFERENCE CENTER, Scottsdale. Directions and details of the event are posted on the UAV website (www.azuav.org) and Facebook page. The AVHOFS website has a link to this information as well. DON’T DELAY! REGISTER TODAY!! This event has been months in the making and we thank our leaders, Chair Dylan Dalzotto , President Gerry Berger, and the PLANNING COMMITTEE for their hard work and dedication in every aspect of preparation for this unique event. Induction day is conducted in two distinct parts.

THE RECEPTION starts at 8:00 am and is designed to have each inductee, their support person, and escort move through the reception line (UAV & AVHOFS Board members) and then enjoy a continental breakfast. After the welcome and opening remarks, the inductees and support persons will receive special pins symbolic of their new recognition. Only the inductees will be guided out of the reception area for a rehearsal and program orientation. They will return to the reception area after the rehearsal.

THE INDUCTION PROGRAM- Upon check in, each registered guest will receive a color-coded card with their Ballroom table assignment entered. You will be directed to two (2) table diagrams located just outside the Ballroom so you can view your exact table location. No one will be allowed to enter the Ballroom until approximately 11:05 am. There will be a full-service bar and ample seating available for your convenience after check in. We expect to start the program promptly at 11:30 am. As a courtesy and safety consideration, our hosts will call for persons with limited mobility (wheelchair, walkers, scooters, etc.) to enter the Ballroom first. We invite your assistance and thank you in advance for your patience regarding this matter.

Here are some suggestions we have found helpful for AVHOFS members who plan to attend the Reception and Induction ceremony:

1. If you have not registered for the Induction ceremony, please do so before registration closes on October 7th. See UAV and AVHOFS websites for details.
2. Arrive at Talking Stick early to reduce waiting at the registration points. Self-parking available in the East parking facility. Valet parking (gratuity expected) available at Casino main entrance.
3. Members and guests who have special needs (wheelchair, walker, scooter, service animals) should contact Sue Wudy (Class of 2004) registrar, no later than Wednesday, October 16th. at lilsarge@mindspring.com ; C: 602.525.6209.

We look forward to visiting with you at the Talking Stick Resort soon.

Rob Welch (Class of 2016) & Reggie Yates (Class of 2013) Co-Chairs 2019 AVHOF Induction Ceremony

Lee Lange AVHOFS Director Class of 2018

The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with a reception and silent auction.  The dinner and program will begin at 7:00 pm. During the program, the SWVF will present their three annual awards.  Included are the Patriots Shield Award to the top corporate sponsor of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Award, to the top veterans’ advocacy group and the Mark Ashby Memorial Service Award, to the non-veteran who has excelled at helping veterans and their families.  The reception and program will include entertainment from the well-known Uptown Angels signing group.

Tickets are $125 for Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC) members and $150 for non-members.  Because the AVHOFS is a member of the SWVCC, all AVHOFS members are eligible for member rates.  Tickets are available on-line at https://business.swvcc.org/events/details/patriots-ball-472 or by calling (602) 677-2961.

The dress is business/cocktail attire or military uniforms. Formal wear is optional.

Join the SWVF and SWVCC for a great evening and help them recognize and honor our heroes of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Pat Upah AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

First, let them know you care.  Second, listen if they want to talk.  You or they can also call the Be Connected support line anytime at 1-866-4AZ-VETS to connect to the program coordinator or a crisis counselor.

The Arizona Coalition for Military Families provides a half-day training to equip everyone in our community to help.  Remining training dates are September 27th Kingman, October 4th Show Low, October 16th Tucson, November 13th Phoenix.  Go to their website at https://arizonacoaliton.org to register.  

The country store closed on 30 September. We will notify you when the country store is open again. Until then, feel free to browse the store items on our website.

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

Phase One of the new facility, that will open sometime in 2020, will meet an urgent need for providing transitional services to homeless veterans in Pinal County that need a “hand-up” into permanent housing.  Three other phases will follow: 

• Phase Two - Support Programs/Activities for All Veterans
• Phase Three - Veteran Based Workforce/Education Connections
• Phase Four - Strengthening Veteran Families

HOHP is very eager to begin renovations and the design of programs/activities for the property.  With the help of many HOHP volunteers, majority are Veterans, it will be a community project intent on bettering the lives of our Pinal County Veterans.

Back Row Lt to Rt:  Jim Sylvester (Class of 2015), Udo Cook and missing Ḅill Bailey.
FRONT ROW L to R:  Kim Skelton, Becky Montgomery, Sally Fulmer and Kim Vandenberg. 
Chair, Kim Vandenberg 
Vice Chair, Udo Cook
Secretary, Becky Montgomery 
Treasurer, Kim Skelton (Marine)
Boardmember, Jim Sylvester (US Air Force)
Boardmember, Bill Bailey (US Air Force)
Boardmember, Sally Fulmer

Jim Sylvester
Board Member HOHP
Class of 2015

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Members Dick Minor (Class of 2005), Carol Culbertson (Class of 2007), Jeanne Blaes (Class of 2016), Pat Upah (Class of 2014) and Ray Boucher (Class of 2018) attended the 55 Annual Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance.  This annual event is put on by the Phoenix Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.  This was an outstanding display of patriotism and remembrance led by Dick Minor, Commander of the Phoenix Chapter of MOWW.  Each year Veterans organizations and Scouting troops display the colors.  The event is held each year close to September 11th as a tribute not only to our Veterans but also to our First Responders.  If you missed this event, we encourage you to attend the Apache Trail Chapters Massing of the Colors on 7 Dec at 7A.M. at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe.  You can go to www.moww.org to learn more about the history of this organization and the current projects they support.

In the photo, George Van De Langeryt (Class of 2018), to the left of US Congresswoman for Arizona's District 8, Debbie Lesko.  Mayor Skip Hall of Surprise is on Debbie Lesko's right side.  Mayor Hall appointed George to be the Chairman of the Surprise Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission.  Congresswoman Lesko briefed on various topics recently in Surprise.

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
Aloysius F. Radlinski (Class of 2010) passed 5 September

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.

Read about another Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame member in the next issue.