Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Dear Patriots,

As we enter this new year, I hope you continue to volunteer to help our veterans.  Each new day brings challenges and achievements. Remember that those big obstacles may turn into your Purpose!

First, MANY, many Thanks to all who made donations to our Century Club in 2019.  We are delighted knowing we can make a difference to those students in need of scholarships.  Please continue with sending a donation for Century Club in 2020 too.

Our Membership Meeting on the 8th of January was informative and Installation of Officers occurred with our New Vice President, Jim Monroe; Treasurer, Jerry Wojtas; and Peter Kloeber, Pat Farrell as Directors.  Joe Little was unable to be present so he will be installed at the next meeting.  Those installed will serve for 2 years.

A few notes from our meeting include: Colonel Wanda Wright, Director of Arizona Veterans’ Services, provided some information on goals for 2020 for our Veterans Community.  Our Vice President, Jim Monroe, is working with Kathy Laurier and her committee on the next Patriotic Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Friday, the 8th of May.  She will have future updates for us in the next few months.  Kathy Laurier also provided information on the MOMs program and Sam Young provided an update on Veterans Court in Arizona.  A big push is on for Veterans Court in the West Valley so let’s hope this is accomplished for our veterans.  There was also an update for a Fisher House to be located in Phoenix by Pat Little-Upah; and Lee Lange provided information on our Foundation.  Dylan Dalzotto, Chair of the Unified Arizona Veterans, spoke on a number of items to include emphasis on Nominations for Induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in October 2020, which will be the 20th Anniversary of this program.  Deadline for submitting Nominations is the 31st of March 2020.  Look for additional details on the UAV website: azuav.org.  Finally, Tom Sheets made a donation of $500 to the Society on behalf of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce Foundation.  Many thanks to them.

Good news too is that our website has some extremely good help now that Glenn Hohman volunteered to improve the website.   Ron Perkins was working this effort as well as many others and Glenn will be a great help.  If you have difficulties logging into our website, please contact Glenn Hohman at glenn.hohman@gmail.com.  He will also be looking at updating our facebook page.

Remember to keep me informed if you are ill, in hospital or simply need a cheerful card, please email me at:  bergergerry@hotmail.com. 

Gerry Berger, President
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society
Aspire to Inspire before You Expire

Thank you for all you do for veterans. 

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Our Century Club is off and running with a goal of reaching $7,500 this year over and above the $7,060 raised in 2019.  And many early contributors remembered to donate $105 or more and thereby got their name in bold type and in color!  Also, donating early in the year gets your name listed in the upcoming Patriotic Awards Luncheon program.  As we go to press, our Century Club total for January stands at $2,178.  Several of the January contributors challenged their induction class to contribute and they would add to their contribution.

Whenever you’re sending our Hall of Fame Society a contribution, be certain to indicate where you want your money to go.  Are you donating to our Century Club, our Scholarship Program, Veterans Court or some other Society program.  We want to be certain that your money gets to where you wanted it to go.  And the address to always use is:

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
2980 S. Alma School Road, Ste, A2-619
Chandler, AZ 85248-5545

In the past I haven’t mentioned the Society’s Bequest Program.  Any member may sign a form, a copy of which is placed in his/her will or trust documents indicating a specific portion of their estate would go to our society upon their death or after a certain loved one’s death.  There is no minimum or maximum involved.  If circumstances change, you can always cancel the Bequest, or change it as needed.  To date $130,100 has been set aside in bequest forms, a copy of which is kept in Society records. 

Should you have an interest in finding out more about our Bequest Program or getting a copy of the two forms involved, contact one of the Chapter officers.

Black - up to $100  GREEN - $101-$199   BLUE - $200-$299   RED - $300 and above

Lee Lange AVHOFS Director Class of 2018

The 54th Arizona state legislature convened January 13, 2020.  Governor Ducey began the day with his State of the State speech.  In his remarks, he surprised many by stating that his 2021 Executive Budget calls for full exemption of military retired pay from state taxes for some 50,000 veterans in Arizona.  This $45M Initiative will be retroactive to tax year 2020.

During his speech Governor Ducey said “Our vets have already earned their benefits.  Put their lives on the line.  The government shouldn’t be taxing their service to country, it should be honoring their service to country.  Our budget does this, by eliminating all state income taxes on our veterans’ military pensions once and for all. We have a goal: To make Arizona home base for veterans everywhere in the country.  These women and men make our state stronger.  To all our veterans, everywhere, from California to New York State, Arizona wants you.  All of you.  You’ve put our country first; now with this budget, Arizona will put you first.”

Governor Ducey’s Executive Budget was released January 17 and includes more good news for veterans.  The budget includes an increase in funding for six additional Veteran Benefits Counselor (VBC) positions.  The Arizona Department of Veterans Services (ADVS) currently has funding for only 30 of its 42 authorized VBC positions.  VBCs are critical to helping veterans develop and file claims for disability, pension, and other veteran benefits.  The funding increase would allow the ADVS to add over 10,000 appointments for veterans and families each fiscal year.  The new VBCs will be located in various offices around the state.

The Executive Budget also includes an increase in funding for operating costs of the new State Veteran homes in Flagstaff and Yuma.  Veteran homes provide nursing and rehabilitative care for geriatric and chronically ill veterans and dependent/surviving spouses.  Construction of the Flagstaff and Yuma homes has been underway since June 2019 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2021.  The additional funds will help the two homes complete the six-month process to certification before being occupied by eligible veterans.

The Country Store opens on 15 March and will remain open until the end of April.  It will then be closed again until mid-September.  Feel free to browse the store items anytime at www.avhof.org.

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

Pat Upah AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

Most of us in the Veteran Community know of a non-veteran or a company that consistently supports this country and the veterans who have served it.  Just as we recognize Veterans who are giving back through the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, we also need to recognize those non-veterans who have helped.   The Copper Sword and Copper Eagle awards are designed to do just that.   Each year at our Patriotic event, the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society recognizes an individual non-veteran whose personal actions contributed significantly to the benefit and wellbeing of our military, our veterans, their families, their survivors, their communities and their neighbors with the Copper Sword award.  They also recognize a deserving private or public institution, organization or corporation whose actions warrant high recognition for services rendered to the Arizona veteran or military community with the Copper Eagle award.   You can nominate someone for these awards for 2021 by going to Awards and Scholarships/Copper Sword & Copper Eagle page of our website and complete the appropriate nomination form.  Do not let this opportunity pass to recognize those who have helped you and the Veterans organizations you belong to.  If you nominated someone last year who was not selected and wish them to be considered again, please send any updated information or additional support letters to Pat Upah.   If you need assistance, contact Pat Upah at patupah@gmail.com.  Please join us on May 8th for the Patriotic Luncheon and Awards ceremony for 2020.   Submissions for 2021 will be reviewed and selections made after the May event.  Life gets busy for all of us so act now to ensure that those who have been there for our Veterans are recognized. 

BE CONNECTED

Christine Mahon AVHOFS Director Class of 2017

Do you know a veteran who needs resources?  A veteran suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts?  A veteran who is lost in the system?  Then you can help by calling Be Connected.

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.

What you can do:

• Put the Be Connected number in your phone (1-866-429-8387).
• Contact your state legislator to encourage added funding in the state budget for more Navigators particularly in rural areas.

Seventh Annual Memorial Service for Private First Class Oscar P. Austin, USMC (Medal of Honor) (Class of 2001) to be held at the Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery Veterans' Wall in the Field of Honor, 2300 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 at 3PM.

Tom Hessler President Cochise County Chapter, AVHOFS Class of 2007

President Gerry Berger attended the installation luncheon for Sierra Vista’s newest Veteran of the Year – Judy-Ann Carroll (Class of 2014).  The luncheon was held on 16 January at VFW Post  9972.  Pictured left is Judy with President Gerry.  Gerry presented Judy with a certificate and a Society coin  Among other duties, Judy will be the Grand Marshall in the Sierra Vista 2020 Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony.  Tom Hessler (Class of2007) also presented her with a certificate from our Society’s Cochise County Chapter and another from the Joint Service Clubs of Greater Sierra Vista.  Dignitaries present included Sierra Vista Mayor Rick Mueller, local veteran leaders and representatives from Fort Huachuca.

Below is a group picture of Society members in attendance.  Front row (L-R) is Stu Carter, Marian Fletcher, Jose Baeza, Lynnise Moore, Larry McKim, Judy Carroll (VOY), Mike Roberts, Leo Pimple, Gene Fenstermacher, and Bob Strain.  Back row (L-R) is John Black, Tom Hessler Glenn Hohman, Gerry Berger (President), William Bates, Earl Devine, and Harry Bowen. 

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 Gerry Berger at bergergerry@hotmail.com

Known members that have passed in 2020:
None.

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.

I am planning to end my career as editor effective the end of 2020.  If anyone is interested in taking on the editor position, please email me or call (520) 227-0545 so we can discuss the position.  There is no travel involved.  I have done this out of my home in Sierra Vista.