Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Dear Patriots,

First, I do hope you are staying safe and well during this pandemic.  You will or should already have been contacted by another Hall of Fame member to check on whether you need anything like groceries or prescriptions picked up.  If you have not been contacted, please email me at bergergerry@hotmail.com and let me know if you are in need of supplies to make it through this pandemic.  I want everyone to please stay mentally and physically strong as you practice social distancing.  It also helps if you find something to laugh about each day! 

As you know, the 2020 Patriotic Awards Luncheon is postponed until 2021.  Further information will be provided in due course by our Vice President, Jim Monroe, in the near future.

In honor of our veterans who have passed through the many years, I hope you and your families will take time to pause and remember.  “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance…Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”  Major General John A. Logan, in his order for the nation’s first Memorial Day at Arlington, 1868.

Please note that developments are being made by David Lucier and Glenn Hohman to update our Facebook page for the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. If you are a fan of facebook, please add the Society to your interests.  Many events are publicized here and encouraged.  In addition, I want to thank Chuck Schluter for his work on streamlining our Office Instructions.  They are now located on the website for your interest.  You will need to sign in and click on Guiding Documents to review them.  I also thank Glenn Hohman for posting these and various items.

There are a number of articles in this Patriot for your information and use so be sure to take advantage of this information, for example, please read carefully the article from Jerry Wojtas on the CARES Act.

I encourage you to send Tom Hessler an article and photo on what you continue to do for veterans in your community.  I would like to feature your volunteer activities, so please make the time to submit these important notes.

As always, please keep us informed of any changes in your contact information. 

Please support us when you shop on Amazon; designate the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society when you sign in.  Amazon will donate to the Society.

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

Jim Monroe AVHOFS Vice President Class of 20164

We are all about keeping our heads down, maintaining social distancing and being safe.  I have faith that our military and veterans will do what is needed, as they always have, so we can come through these trying times and emerge stronger than before. 

Statement Regarding AVHOFS 2020 Patriotic Awards Luncheon:

You know from my notes in last month’s Patriot that the Patriotic Award (PAL) Luncheon has been cancelled.  Our current position is as follows:

• All reservations made through EventBrite have been cancelled and fees returned by a credit issued to the credit card used to make the reservation.
• All checks received for reservations have been returned uncashed.
• We are working on plans to present the Scholarships to Veteran Scholarship recipients and Veteran Heritage Project Scholarship recipients over the next weeks.  We are considering a number of situations that would allow us to make the scholarship presentations in a timely manner while maintaining the significance of the event.  I will keep you advised as these plans come together.
• The four Copper awards scheduled for presentation at this year’s PAL will be presented at the 2021 PAL.  The honorees are:
• Copper Star Award:  Drew Trojanowski, Army National Guard - Veteran Advocate
• Copper Shield Award:  Mark Cardenas, Past AZ House of Representatives & Army Veteran
• Copper Eagle Award:  Hospice of the Valley – Lin Sue Cooney accepting
• Copper Sword Award:  Kristine Huskey, Director, Veteran’s Advocacy Law Clinic

The selection of Copper Award Nominations for this year will continue as planned with these awards also being presented at the 2021 PAL.  Consequently, we will present a total of four Copper Awards in 2021.

• The venue for the PAL, Doubletree Resort in Scottsdale, has closed their Catering and Convention Services Office at this time.  Once they reopen, we will press them for a date to hold the PAL in 2021.  We previously requested April 9, 2021 for the PAL and offered several alternative dates. 

And now for the exciting news:  Ron Perkins has accepted the position of 2021 PAL Chairman.  Kathleen Laurier will serve as his mentor.  The PAL requires a number of volunteers to handle specific tasks in order to have a successful event.  Please consider being one of those volunteers and let Ron know of your interest. 

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Not sure how many of you have heard about the CARES Act that was passed by Congress and signed by the President this year.  This act gives you a chance to control where your hard-earned money goes.  You have to pay it anyway, so why not control where at least a portion of it goes.

The Cares Act allows for a tax credit in the year 2020 on your federal tax return.  It is up to $300 for a single filer and up to $600 for joint filers.  A tax credit is an ‘above the line’ deduction and means that if you donate to a 501(c)(3) public charity, it reduces your tax obligation by the amount you donated.  Please consider making a donation now to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

As we are a 100% volunteer organization, 100% of your money will be used for the benefit of veterans and their families.  An example of where your money could be used is our Century Club or Scholarship programs.  This is your chance to control where your money goes.  You have to pay it anyway, so you might as well control where a portion of it goes.

Some important points to remember. 

Tax deductions cannot be used for a (c) (3) private charity, nor any other 501 (c) classification such as (4), (17), (19), etc.

You cannot take this deduction if you itemize your tax return.

This CARES Act applies to 2020 only.

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

The Country Store closed as of April 30, 2020. The Country Store will reopen this coming fall, please look for the actual opening date in your AVHOFS newsletter.

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

Lee Lange AVHOFS Director Class of 2018

In late 2019, the Society joined the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC) as part of outreach efforts to other veteran and patriot groups in Arizona.  The Society also teamed with the Chamber and its charitable arm, the Southwest Veterans Foundation to form a joint events/fundraising committee.  The Southwest Veterans Foundation is like our Foundation Committee, which focuses on fundraising efforts for the Society.

The committee was formed to identify opportunities for joint events and fundraising activities where the three organizations would pool planning resources to hold a fundraising event for members and supporters and share in the revenues generated.  Our groups increasingly depend on fundraising efforts to generate revenue to support charitable programs that give back to the veteran community we all support.  This is especially true as grants become more difficult and competitive to secure.

The committee is currently planning an event at the Glendale Top Golf location.  The event would be built around a Top Golf competition, which are very popular, and include a silent auction and refreshments.  The membership of all three groups would be invited along with friends and supporters.  The planning has been slowed by the impacts of coronavirus but will continue once stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.

AZ State Legislature Support for Veterans’ Issues in Doubt

The coronavirus pandemic has focused the Legislature’s full attention on putting together a slimmed down state budget, then adjourning to do their part in stemming the spread of coronavirus.  After including a $50M relief package for the economic impacts of coronavirus to the state, the budget was passed on March 23, and both the House and Senate announced their adjournment until April 13, 2020.  The leaders of both houses subsequently announced they would not return April 13 but would monitor the situation until the end of April.  The $11.8B budget passed by the legislature falls far short of Governor Ducey’s requested $12.3B and does not include the major veteran’s issues below.

Veterans Benefits Counselors (VBC’s)
 
SB1044, sponsored by Senator David Livingston, called for six new VBC’s.  It was passed by the Senate on February 4 and sent to the House.  A similar bill in the House, HB2139, sponsored by Representative Jay Lawrence, passed the full House on March 2, by a vote of 59-1.  It was sent to the Senate for further action.  But this initiative did not get into the budget passed on March 23, so the issue is very much in doubt. 

Tax Exemption on Military Retired Pay

Governor Ducey’s call for full exemption of military retired pay from state taxes faces 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 in the full Senate on February 25.  Senator Gowan’s motion to reconsider at a later date was approved.  It has not been heard again.  In the House, Representative Gail Griffin’s, HB 2667 narrowly passed the House Ways and Means Committee on February 19.  There has been no further committee action, in part a reflection of member opposition to the bill.  This initiative now has an uphill fight in the face of the significant blows expected to the state economy from coronavirus.

The legislature will likely have to do much more to counter the damage to the economy from coronavirus.  Whether there will be any room in all of this for veteran’s issues is still unclear.

Mike Wold, (Class of 2019) (picture center), was honored to speak at the 21st Annual George Washington Luncheon for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Michael E. Mahoney Sun City Chapter.  Mike was introduced by Ron Capek, (Class of 2012) (picture left).  Chapter Commander Jimi Sallman is pictured right.  Mike began his talk by recalling the respect that his family has always had for the Purple Heart Medal because his uncle, Captain James Hovey, USMC, had earned this honor along with the Silver Star leading his company in the landing of the 4th Marine Division on Tinian Island on July 24, 1944.  He was awarded these two medals posthumously for his actions.  Mike said his uncle’s medals were shown prominently through the glass in a cabinet in his gold star grandmother’s dining room where Mike and his family ate dinner regularly.  He said his uncle provided him with a model for his life that continues to this day.

Mike went on to describe Healing of Memories for Veterans Workshops he coordinates in Arizona.  These provide healing for veterans from the psychological and spiritual wounds they receive from their military experiences.

BE CONNECTED

Christine Mahon AVHOFS Director Class of 2017

During these very challenging times those suffering from depression, anxiety, PTS or struggling with basic survival may have these issues exacerbate and put them at increased risk.  Fortunately, ADVS is operating during this time and the Be Connected program continues to offer help to our veterans in need.

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).  Share this number widely.

Reach out to friends and family regularly to stay connected.

Stay home, stay healthy and stay connected.

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.