Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Dear Patriots,

With much anticipation to April arriving with its beautiful skies, sunsets and surprises, we wish you all a fulfilling month of joy and friendship.

Be sure to read the article from Jim Monroe, your Vice President of our Society, about the Patriotic Awards Luncheon (PAL). 

Please note the article from the UAV on the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Board and information at our Capitol Building.  It is a really wonderful place to visit when you are in the area and to visit the many Memorials at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

A reminder once again to please inform us if you know of someone who is ill or needs a phone call as well as inform us when you have an address, telephone change too. 

YOUR Society continues with its recruitment effort for a Secretary to perform our much appreciated secretarial duties, so if interested, please email me at:  bergergerry@hotmail.com

I also look forward to seeing photographs and stories you submit for publication in our Patriot.  Please continue with your efforts.

Thank you for all you do for Veterans.

Gerry Berger
Aspire to Inspire before you Expire

For Immediate Release — March 26, 2020

Announcing an Extension regarding the March 31st, 2020 Postmark Due Date for Nominations to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2020

Phoenix, Arizona — Due to impediments associated with the coronavirus/COVID-19 emergency, such as delays in obtaining letters of recommendation, the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) Board of Directors chaired by Dylan Dalzotto, Army veteran, has extended the postmark due date to Thursday, April 30th, 2020.

Below is information about the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

For general information about this News Release, please contact:   Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email:  secretary@azuav.org or telephone (602) 799.9480. 

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The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) located in Phoenix, Arizona, seeks to recognize Arizonans, living and posthumous, who have worn the uniform of our Nation's Armed Forces, and have made significant contributions to their community, Arizona, or the Nation outside of their military service. These contributions may be in the areas of veterans’ advocacy, and/or professional, civic, political, or other contributions of an outstanding nature.

Regarding eligibility for nomination to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, the Nominee must be of good moral character, have no felony convictions, and must have been born in, or entered military service from, Arizona; or lived in Arizona for a minimum of five years. (Satisfaction of the residency requirement is based upon meeting the criteria by the nomination application deadline of
April 30th, 2020.  The Nominee must also have honorably served as verified by a U.S. Military service document (Item D-2 of the Criteria and Guidelines posted at www.azuav.org).  The AVHOF recognizes Medal of Honor Recipients who meet these criteria.    

Complete details are posted on the UAV website:  www.azuav.org  such as the Guidelines and the Format and Sequence of the Nomination Packet. 

will be posted on the UAV website www.azuav.org in August 2020.  Veterans, military, and the public are invited to the Induction Ceremony with luncheon. 

For general information, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona
Veterans, at email:  secretary@azuav.org or telephone (602) 799.9480.  Nominators who do not have access to the website, please telephone Secretary Culbertson at (602) 799-9480 to request that the Nomination Form and Criteria/Guidelines be mailed to you. 

Media Point of Contact:
Dylan Dalzotto, UAV Chair
Email:  chair@azuav.org

Jim Monroe AVHOFS Vice President Class of 20164

Statement Regarding AVHOFS 2020 Patriotic Awards Luncheon:

• Postpone the PAL for the remainder of the 2020 year.  Reschedule the 2020 PAL for April 2021.  Target desirable dates for rescheduling are April 9, April 16 and April 23.  Actual date is dependent upon availability of the Doubletree and other factors.
• Delay the presentation of the 2020 Copper Eagle and Copper Sword awards to the 2021 PAL.
• Approach the UAV about delaying presentation of the 2020 Copper Shield and Copper Star awards until the 2021 PAL.
• Research the opportunity to present the various 2020 scholarships this year at an appropriate time.  We are in the process of discussing options with the Scholarship Committee and other involved parties.
• Online registration through Eventbrite will be cancelled, the site will be closed shortly.  All current registrations will be cancelled and all registration fees that have been previously paid will be refunded by EventBrite.
• Those who have registered by mail may request a refund or choose to have their registration fee donated to the AVHOFS Scholarship Fund.  Each registrant will be contacted by email or letter regarding options available to them.
•  AVHOFS Scholarships, three to VHP students and one to a veteran, will be presented this year.  Details of how and where the scholarships are to be presented remain to be worked out.  The status of the UAV Scholarships will be determined by the UAV.

We were all excited about presenting the various COPPER awards as well as presenting Scholarships to some very deserving individuals at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  That being said, we have made the what we think is the best decision possible considering the information available to us at this time.  I respectfully ask your understanding and support.  And be safe out there.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

The question has been raised as to WHO do I send my Century Club check to when mailing it to the Society P.O. Box.  Here is the answer.

Past president, Ron Perkins, checks our P.O. box periodically and goes through the mail.  He sorts it and then sends the various items to the right people, i.e. President Gerry Berger, treasurer Jerry Wojtas or whoever the mail is for.  So, from your end it presents no problem as long as your check is marked ‘For Century Club”.

We want to be certain that your money gets to where you want it to go.  The mailing address to use is always:

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

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

The Country Store is open 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

Lee Lange AVHOFS Director Class of 2018

AZ State Legislature Support for Veterans’ Issues Mixed

Veterans Benefits Counselors (VBC’s)

This year’s efforts to increase the number of VBC’s in Arizona continue to move forward in the legislature. SB1044, sponsored by Senator David Livingston, calls for six new VBC’s.  It was passed by the Senate on February 4 and sent to the House.  The House Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee passed the bill March 2. A similar bill in the House, HB2139, sponsored by Representative Jay Lawrence, passed the House Appropriations Committee on February 12 and the full House on March 2 by a vote of 59-1.  It was then sent to the Senate for further action.  This initiative looks like it will get final approval in both Houses.  Differences in the bills will be reconciled before the final version goes to the Governor for signature. 
Tax Exemption on Military Retired Pay

Governor Ducey’s call for full exemption of military retired pay from state taxes is facing strong opposition in the Arizona legislature.  A major factor is the $45M price tag which is proving to be a heavy lift for supporters.  The Senate bill, SB1237, sponsored by Senator David Gowan, failed in a vote before the full Senate on February 25.  Sen Gowan motioned to reconsider at a later date and the motion was approved. In the House, Representative Gail Griffin’s HB2676 narrowly passed the House Ways and Means Committee on February 19. It has yet to be heard in the House Appropriations and Rules Committees. 

A recent op-ed in the Arizona Republic, co-authored by three prominent veterans, makes a strong case for full exemption of military retired pay from state taxes.  The key argument centers on the proposed tax break being a work force initiative to attract future military retirees to the state, bringing with them valuable skill sets and generating more revenue for the state in the long term.  Governor Ducey’s office has also released a video further making the case for approval of this proposal.  Various veterans’ groups in the state have been contacting legislators to urge approval of the exemption but as this article goes to press, it’s clear that Governor Ducey’s continued support will be the key to getting something done on this initiative.

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 the Patriotic Gale 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 and 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 2021 awards by going to the avhof.org website, click on Awards and Scholarships and fill out a nomination form.  Do not let this opportunity pass to recognize those who have helped you and the Veterans organizations that you belong to.  If you need assistance you can contact Pat Upah at patupah@gmail.com  

Rob Welch Past Chair, UAV Class of 2016

The 2019 AVHOF Class Plaque and update to the AVHOF Interactive Display at the State Capitol Museum have been installed.  The next time you are in Phoenix, please stop by the State Capitol and visit the Museum.  The address is 1700 W Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.  The museum is located on the first floor of the old Capitol building.  As you walk in from Wesley Bolin Plaza, which is on the east side of the building, our display is in the hallway to the left.

The interactive display features the pictures and stories of all our 432 inductees which includes 37 Arizona Medal of Honor recipients and 395 Merit Honorees.  From the youngest inductee (Dylan Dalzotto, age 34, who incidentally is only 4 months younger than the 2nd youngest, Rachael Gutierrez) to the oldest person inducted, John Woerner, age 97. 

Our Arizona Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.  They include both those born in Arizona, those who entered the military service in Arizona, and those who made Arizona their home.  The following are excerpts of the bios of eight MOH recipients from the six wars in which Arizonans served.

Civil War:  There are two MOH recipients from the Civil War.  The first to receive the MOH was Trustrim Connell (pictured left) on 10 May 1865 for bravery during the Battle of Sailors Creek, VA.  Trustrim settled in Phoenix, maintaining close ties to our State’s military establishment until his death in Phoenix on 14 Feb 1937 at age 92.

Indian Wars:  There were 20 MOH recipients during the Indian Wars.  Eleven were Indian Scouts, three were Buffalo Soldiers, and six were other ethnic soldiers.  Here is a sample from each of these three categories.

Indian Scouts (11):  Sergeant William Alchesay (pictured right) was a White Mountain Apache Chief.  Born in 1853 and died in 1928.  Alchesay served with General George Crook.  Widely respected, he made several trips to confer with the President of the United States.  Alchesay’s MOH was issued 12 April 1875 for gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with the Apaches during the years 1872-1873.  

Buffalo Soldiers (3):  Corporal Isaiah Mays (pictured left) was born a slave in Virginia in 1858.  A member of the 24th U.S. Infantry, he was cited for gallantry while escorting an Army Paymaster which was attacked by robbers on 18 February 1890.  Mays walked and crawled two miles to a ranch for help.  Corporal Mays died on 19 February 1925 and is buried in the Arizona State Hospital Cemetery in Phoenix.

Other Ethnic Soldiers (6):  Sergeant William Croft Barnes (pictured right) was born in 1858.  He served on active duty in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1879-1883.  Barnes risked his life frequently in enemy areas, repairing telegraph lines and carrying dispatches.  In a skirmish on September 11, 1881, Barnes displayed bravery in action against the Apaches and received the Medal of Honor in 1882.  Starting in 1883, Sergeant Barnes became a cattleman in Holbrook, Arizona;  served in Arizona’s Territorial Legislative Assembly, accomplishing the creation of Navajo County; and wrote many books, including Arizona Place Names, which is still in print today.  In 1907 he joined the U.S. Forest Service.  Barnes developed and preserved grazing lands in the State, retiring from government service in 1930 in Phoenix.  The Barnes Hall Army Reserve Training Center, Oak Street, Phoenix; Barnes Butte, Phoenix; and Barnes Field House at Fort Huachuca; are all named in Barnes’ honor.

World War I:  Arizona also had two MOH recipients during WW-I.  Most know is Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr (pictured left).  Frank was on active duty for a period of just over two months. In that period, he was given credit for shooting down nearly two dozen enemy aircraft.  Forced down in France, Luke defended himself with an automatic pistol until he was killed.  In 1930, the American Society for the Promotion of Aviation named him our nation’s greatest air hero.  In 1941, Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona was named in his honor.   

World War II:  There were four MOH recipients during WW-II.  Captain Joseph Foss (1915-2003) (pictured right), U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Fighting Squadron 121, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.  Joe was a resident of Paradise Valley, AZ.  He was cited for action 9 October to 19 November 1942, 15 January 1943, and 23 January 1943, at Guadalcanal.  Engaging in almost daily-contact with the enemy during the 9 October to 19 November period, Captain Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese planes and damaged others probably beyond survival.  On 15 January 1943 he downed three more enemy planes.  Later that month he led an attack on Japanese fighters and bombers that resulted in four Japanese fighters being shot down and the bombers were turned back without dropping a single bomb.  Captain Foss was personally responsible for shooting down 26 enemy planes and leading an action which resulted in four more enemy planes being shot down and repelling an enemy attack.

Korean War:  There was one MOH recipient during Korea.  Captain Raymond Harvey (1920-1996) (pictured left), U.S. Army, Company C, 17th Infantry Regiment.  Lived in Arizona from 1978 until his death in 1996.  Cited for action on 9 March 1951 in the Republic of Korea.  When his unit was pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire, Captain Harvey braved the hail of gunfire and grenades and advanced to the first machinegun nest, destroying it.  He advanced to the next emplacement, killing its crew with carbine fire. He then neutralized a third position, followed by the annihilation of even a fourth enemy pillbox. Though wounded, Captain Harvey continued to order his company forward, refusing evacuation until being assured that the mission would be accomplished.

Vietnam War:  There were nine MOH recipients during Vietnam.  It was very, very hard to pick out just one of these nine heroes.  I decided to showcase a 21-year-old hero who gave his life for his comrades.  Private First Class Billy Lauffer (1945-1966) (pictured right) , U.S. Army, Company C, 2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division.  Billy entered the Army in Phoenix, AZ.  He was cited for action on 21 September 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam.  Seeing his unit pinned down by intense machinegun crossfire and wounded comrades lying helpless in the beaten zone, Private Lauffer charged the enemy machinegun positions, confusing the enemy and allowing his wounded comrades to be rescued and his unit to gain a more advantageous position. Private Lauffer was fatally wounded during his heroic effort. 

There are many, many more interesting stories of our Arizona Veteran Hall of Fame inductees.  Each has a unique story, be they a Medal of Honor recipient or a Merit inductee for their outstanding civilian accomplishments outside military service.  I encourage all of you to stop by the Capitol Museum and read their great stories on our Interactive Display.  After you are done, please take some more time to visit the Capitol Museum.  Their USS Arizona display is excellent, as are many other displays both on the first floor and upper floors of the museum.

While you are at the Capitol, take a stroll around Wesley Bolin Plaza and visit all the war memorials.  The newest and one of the most impressive, is the WW-II Pearl Harbor Memorial which features a 14” gun barrel from the USS Arizona representing the entry of the United States into WW-II after the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941.  Representing the ending of WW-II is a 16“ gun barrel from the USS Missouri on whose deck the Japanese surrendered on 2 Sep 1945.  The two gun barrels are separated by 405 inches, each inch representing 1,000 American lives lost in the war.  Stainless steel nameplates hang on the sides of the pillars, one for each of the 1,902 Arizonans who were killed in the war.

OFFICE CALL—SENATOR JAMESCITA M. PESHLAKAI

Reggie Yates 2019 Induction Co-Chair Class of 2013

Rob Welch 2019 Induction Co-Chair Class of 2016

An element of Unified Arizona Veterans’ (UAV) continuing outreach program to State legislators and Community leaders, Chairman Dylan Dalzotto (‘15 ) and Board of Directors members met with Arizona Senator Jamescita Peshlakai, (LD7) on February 6, 2020 at the State Capitol. Senator  Peshlakai‘s sprawling Northern Arizona District includes the Navajo and Hopi Nations as well as other federally recognized Native American reservations.  A member of the Senate since 2017, she previously served in the House from 2013 to 2015.  Senator Peshlakai currently serves as the Minority Whip and often participates in Legislative Caucus activities.  She is a US Army veteran of the Persian Gulf War and is the recipient of the 2018 Copper Shield Award presented annually by UAV during the AVHOFS Patriotic Awards Event.

Senator Peshlakai was briefed on the UAV legislative priorities for the current session, availability of Native American Veteran Scholarships, and the nomination process for the 20th anniversary class, Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.  She referenced and offered to share some unique resources available to assist UAV with communications and information exchange with Native American media, social media and education contacts.  UAV extended an invitation to Senator Peshlakai to participate in the 20th Anniversary Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, October 23d at the Talking Stick Resort Conference Center in Scottsdale.

The photo includes Arizona Hall of Fame Society members Rob Welch (‘16), Senator  Peshlakai, Reggie Yates ( ’13), Dylan Dalzotto (‘15 ) and Terry Araman (‘16) in the Senator’s office at the State Capitol.

Submitted by Rob Welch & Reggie Yates

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.