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| Volume 7 - July 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PRESIDENT'S NOTES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dear Patriots, Your Board of Directors and I hope you and your family are keeping well and safe during these difficult times. We are so very grateful to those who sent in a recent donation on behalf of the “No Veteran Left Behind” campaign. More on that from Jerry Wojtas in this issue. If you were not able to watch the Memorial Day Ceremony on television, Sue Wudy has provided the following website for you to view it: Here it is : KAZT (channel 7.1 antenna), NAZT *cable The Memorial Day program. As you know, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on a cool, sunny day in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Delegates didn’t sign the document until August 2nd of that year. Some historians claim the Liberty Bell rang later that week to invite the local residents to hear a reading of the document. This is where the Liberty Bell gained its fame even though the event may not have happened just this way. Today we celebrate the event with a combination of parades, barbecues and fireworks. In that regard, please remain safe and well. If you are supporting Veterans and Non-Veterans either as individuals or through organizations during this Pandemic, please provide me with that information and a photo so we can highlight your contribution in the Patriot. I know so many members are going above and beyond reaching out to others, making masks, volunteering at the VA, donating food, collecting and distributing food etc. Please read article by Tom Eisiminger. As you may be aware, all members of the society Board are volunteers and with that, we have been grateful to ADVS for providing a conference room for us when we hold our monthly meetings. Recently, however, meetings are held via Zoom and we likely will continue with our meetings in this manner for the immediate future. We don’t have a building or office of our own; hence, a mailing address at a post office is the best manner in which to contact us. Specifically, if you plan to attend one of our monthly meetings, please contact me via email: bergergerry@hotmail.com and I will arrange for you to attend a Zoom meeting. 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. 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 |
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| VICE PRESIDENT'S NOTES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We are all still compelled to minimize travel, keep social distancing and wear masks. Despite the restrictions, we have had to make progress on the presentation of Scholarships that would have been presented at this year’s Patriotic Awards Luncheon, had it not been cancelled. We needed to get the scholarship checks to the recipients in a timely manner despite the various restrictions. You know from my June Patriot Notes that arrangements were made with Pro One Media Productions to make the presentations at their studio. We were successful in presenting the AVHOFS scholarships on Saturday, June 6 in conjunction with scholarships presented by Veterans Heritage Project and the Unified Arizona Veterans. Quite a bit was accomplished that day and following is a recount of the activities. Gordon James engaged with members of his staff to prepare press releases for each of the presentations; I have utilized portions of these press releases in detailing the events of the day. There is much to cover and I will do my best to do the proceeds justice. So, sit back and enjoy as we go through all the wonderful events of the day. AVHOFS Scholarships for Students and Veterans: - Press Release - Three Valley Students Receive Scholarships from Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Phoenix, AZ (June 9, 2020) — This past Saturday, June 6, three Arizona students received the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) Scholarship on merit of their academic achievement and contribution to the mission of the Arizona Veterans Administration. This scholarship is based on demonstrating leadership, character and scholastic standing. Presenting the scholarship was Colonel Christine Mahon, US Army (retired). Colonel Mahon is a member of the AVHOFS Board of Directors and the Scholarship Committee. The student recipients are Alina Joseph of Oro Valley, Lauren Kobley of Scottsdale, and Carla Rock of Phoenix. All three recipients have been long time members of the Veterans Heritage Project — an after-school civics and education program that connects students with veterans to record personal histories of veterans’ wartime experiences. Each student has conducted numerous veteran interviews and served as the presidents of their school’s VHP chapter. “On behalf of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, I am so honored to recognize these veterans and students who are receiving these scholarships,” says AVHOFS President, Gerry Berger. “As our Veteran organization continues to provide scholarships for veterans and students, we are so encouraged by their efforts and look forward to their promising careers. Congratulations to all.” The Veterans Heritage Project, a nationally recognized education program, has immersed thousands of students in the personal accounts of heroism and service to our country directly from veterans. Through an after-school program and lecture series, fostering leadership skills and developing a passion for civics, writing, and history the students capture veterans’ stories. This civics program allows veterans to continue to serve their country by imparting the wisdom to a younger generation, all while making a positive impact in the community and the development of Arizona’s youth. The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) is a program that has been around for nearly twenty years. Initiated in 2001 by Governor Jane Hull and the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV), their goal is to recognize Arizona veterans who served our country nobly in the armed forces and continued to serve their communities, as well as other veterans. All veterans are eligible for the AVHOF, and nominations are accepted annually. After a rigorous selection process, the UAV submits twenty plus recommended individuals annually to the Governor for approval to be inducted into AVHOF. Individuals from Arizona who have received the Medal of Honor are automatically inducted. Christine Mahon presided over the presentation of these scholarships; her comments are as follows:
AVHOFS and UAV Scholarships for Veterans: - Press Release - Three Valley Veterans Receive Scholarships from the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society and the Unified Arizona Veterans PHOENIX, Ariz. — On Saturday, June 6, three Arizona veteran scholars received the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) and Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) Higher Learning Scholarship. Recipients were either an honorably discharged veteran, active duty, or a service member in good standing with a Reserve or Guard component and is enrolled in a bachelor or masters’ program. These scholarships present an opportunity to pursue higher education as a veteran or while still serving their country and community. Scott Essex, AVHOFS Scholarship Committee Chairman, presented the following veterans their awards:
“Since 2016, the UAV has been providing assistance to veterans enrolled in an on-campus program leading toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree,” says UAV Chairman, Dylan Dalzotto. “These three young men are incredibly deserving of these scholarships, and we will watch their careers with great interest.” One of the programs of the UAV, a consortium of 57 veteran organizations located throughout Arizona, is to operate the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) which recognizes Arizona veterans for significant civic contributions to their community, state, or nation. In 2007, the AVHOF Inductees formed the AVHOF Society (AVHOFS). The Society has initiated many community programs, including the founding of the AVHOFS Scholarship Program, as well as the creation of the Copper Sword and Copper Eagle Awards. These last two awards are given to private companies and private citizens for their outstanding support of veterans. The UAV joined with the AVHOFS in 2016 in awarding scholarships to Arizona’s student veterans. For more information on the Unified Arizona Veterans, and to sponsor student leaders through scholarships, visit: www.azuav.org. About Unified Arizona Veterans About The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Scott Essex presided over the presentation of these scholarships; his comments are as follows: Despite the tumultuous year and after many months of effort by the Scholarship Committee spearheaded by Jim Monroe and Rob Welch, we accomplished our mission. It was extremely gratifying to finally make the presentations of our Veteran Higher Learning Scholarships to two outstanding veterans, Dante Day and Armondo Escalanti, rewarding them for their tireless work in the pursuit of higher education. I was extremely impressed with their attitudes, demeanors and accomplishments. They are very deserving of our accolades and support. This chaotic year was not through with us though. Our third recipient, Sgt Thomas Brown, currently serving in the Arizona Army National Guard, was activated three days before our twice rescheduled and continuously modified event and could not attend our ceremony. Ah, the simple life of the National Guard soldier, balancing work, family, school and duty. We are making arrangements to present his scholarship to him. All Society Scholarship Recipients — UNMASKED.
Unified Arizona Veterans Piestewa Veteran Family Scholarship: - Press Release - UNIFIED ARIZONA VETERANS PRESENT INNAGURAL SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDREN OF SOLDIERS KIA PHOENIX, Ariz. On Saturday, June 6, 2020 the Unified Arizona Veterans presented the inaugural ‘Army Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Veteran Family Scholarship’. The scholarships — designated for the children of servicemen and women who were killed in action — were presented to Specialist Pietstewa’s two children. Making the presentations was the UAV Scholarship Chair, Colonel Rob Welch, US Army (retired). Assisting in the presentation was the Director of Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, Colonel Wanda Wright, US Air Force (retired) and Hopi Nation Vice Chairman Clark W. Tenakhongva, an Army Veteran of the Panama Conflict and the Grenada Conflict. The Unified Arizona Veterans presented the scholarship funds with sponsorship from The Arizona Lottery’s Giving Back program. The scholarship presentation was produced by Pro One Media. The UAV was formed in 1981 to provide support for Arizona’s veterans and their families. In 2016 the UAV awarded their first college scholarships to Arizona’s veterans. This year marks the first time the UAV has expanded its scholarship program to include the children of veterans killed in action, and chose to name the scholarship in honor of Specialist Piestewa’s sacrifice. Brandon Whiterock is the eldest child of Lori Piestewa and is a student at Coconino Community College. He is enrolled in a transition program leading to a Bachelor’s Degree at Northern Arizona University. He plans to help rehabilitate veterans from war-related injuries by working for Veteran Affairs as a physical or occupational therapist. Carla Piestewa is a student at Grand Canyon University and is enrolled as a Biology major with an emphasis in pre-medicine. After receiving her bachelors’, she plans to pursue a doctorate in pediatrics. She also plans to help her community, the Hopi people, by giving back to those that are in need and not financially stable. She hopes that her success will motivate other Hopi to set goals for themselves to better their lives for themselves and their families.
Veterans Heritage Project: Press Release Five Valley Students Receive Scholarships from Veterans Heritage Project Phoenix, AZ (June 6, 2020) - Five Arizona students received educational scholarships from Veterans Heritage Project (VHP), on merit of academic achievement and contribution to the mission of VHP. This scholarship is based on qualities of leadership, character, and scholastic standing. All five recipients have been long time members of the Veterans Heritage Project, have conducted numerous veteran interviews, and served as president of their school VHP chapters. They have all shown outstanding commitment to this project and the veteran community. The students receiving scholarships are:
“Veterans Heritage Project was honored to present scholarships to students who have shown outstanding leadershipwho have not only taken to heart lessons learned from their veterans, but who have set high goals for themselves as they pursue college and career,” said VHP Executive Director Michelle DiMuro. “Over the past nine years, VHP has awarded $85,000 for college tuition and travel, for students to walk in the steps of their veterans. Veterans’ stories of service to our nation have inspired our students to excel as leaders.” Veterans Heritage Project has immersed thousands of students in the personal accounts of heroism and service to our country directly from veterans through an after-school program and lecture series, fostering leadership skills and developing a passion for civics, writing, and history. This civics program allows veterans to continue to serve their country by imparting the wisdom to a younger generation, all while making a positive impact in the community and the development of Arizona’s youth. During this time of social distancing, Pro One Media has graciously provided all filming and production of the scholarship award presentation videos. For more information on Veterans Heritage Project, and for the opportunity to sponsor student leaders through scholarship, visit: https://www.veteransheritage.org/students. About Veterans Heritage Project
Group Photo of All Scholarship Recipients:
Now for one last tidbit of information. The following article appeared in the AZ Republic — Veteran’s Voice column by Paula Pedene on June 12: The relationship between the men and women of the armed forces and the citizens of the United States is a reciprocal one; our soldiers and veterans protect our liberties and freedoms, and in turn our citizens support the sacrifices of those brave men and women. This past weekend, three Valley organizations came together to honor that relationship through scholarships that support veterans, their families, and the students that have made it their personal mission to honor the sacrifices of our armed service men and women. The Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV), the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS), and Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) presented $45,500 in scholarship funds to ten individuals. The UAV presented the inaugural ‘Army Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa Veteran Family Scholarship’, named for Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American female to fall in combat on foreign soil. These funds are specifically designated for the children of soldiers who have been killed in action. The first recipients of this scholarship are Piestewa’s own children: Brandon Whiterock and Carla Piestewa. The UAV also partnered with AVHOFS to present three scholarships to veterans of the United States Armed Forces to assist in their efforts to earn degrees in higher education. Those recipients are Navy Petty Officer Second Class Armando Escalante, Air Force Senior Airman Donté Day, and Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Brown. VHP — an after-school civics and education program that connects students with veterans to record personal histories of veterans’ experiences — awarded scholarships to five of their alumnae: Alina Joseph, Emma Suttell, Lauren Kobley, Carla Rock, and Emily Ahern. Additionally, Joseph, Kobley, and Rock also received scholarship awards from AVHOFS. Through these various scholarship funds, organizations like UAV, AVHOFS, and VHP ensure the protection of the special relationship between civilian and veteran. By supporting our veterans in their pursuit of higher education, we thank them for their service and give them the opportunity to bring the leadership and dedication gained in service to new industries, further serving their fellow Americans with their experience and skills. By supporting those students who understand the cost of conflict and who respect the men and women that have willingly put their lives in danger for their fellow man, we ensure that those hard-earned lessons will be passed down to the next generation, and thereby learn from the past to create a better future. We believe by supporting the families of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we make a solemn vow that their sacrifice was not in vain, that the country they fought for will fight for their family when they are gone. Education is a fundamental pillar of our democracy. It is only right that we offer those who cherish that democracy every opportunity to pursue their passions, and in so doing enrich the lives of the thousands of Americans they will reach in their lifetime. If our great country is to step confidently into the future, it will be these men and women who will lead us there. |
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| TREASURER'S NOTES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just as I have pointed out in the past, our Century Club monies go to support our Scholarship Fund. And if you read last month’s Patriot, you read that in early June your Society was giving out $11,000 in scholarships to deserving student scholars and veterans who are furthering their education. There is a lot more information on those scholarships in this issue. Giving out scholarships would not be possible if it weren’t for Society members like YOU, who each year contributes to our Century Club. However, our society members contributions don’t come close to $11,000 each year. Most of the years it is about half that amount. So where does the rest of the money come from? A number of you purchase items from Amazon. When you do, you have selected The Arizona Veteran Hall of Fame Society as your recipient of their Amazon Smile program. In the month of May our Society received $14.65 from the Amazon Smile program. That money goes into our Scholarship Fund. I should give credit to a number of military organizations, church groups and individuals who have seen fit to support our efforts. Their support is greatly appreciated. We also have individuals who have arranged for a money payment to our Scholarship Fund upon their death. A donation of any size or amount is always appreciated at any time. I also want to thank those Patriots who contributed to our recent ‘No Veteran Left Behind’ campaign. Contributions reached a total of $3,575 and we had a donor offer to match up to $2,500. Well done Patriots! Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Black - up to $100 GREEN - $101-$199 BLUE - $200-$299 RED - $300 and above
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| COUNTRY STORE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
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| COVID-19 SUPPORT TO NAVAJO NATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tom Eisiminger posted this goodwill gesture on social media and started to get questions from around the country on how donations could be made. Tom posted that he would “match” any donations that came in that week which lead to raising nearly $3000 that first week.
Knowing that there were many disparate groups donating to the Navajo Nation, and also knowing that often well-meaning donations can cause a distribution problem on the receiving end, Tom Eisiminger reached out to Hope McDonald, a former Navajo Tribal Council Member and current consultant for Veterans issues to the Navajo. It just so happens that her father, Peter McDonald is one of the last surviving Code Talkers from WWII. After explaining that he wanted to support the “true need” of the Navajo People, Hope McDonald linked Tom and Bob up with Army Veteran Pete Tsinnijinnie who is the Area Commander in the Chinle Region, which is the hardest hit of the Navajo Nation. The illustration below shows just how many cases there are in the Chinle Region. Surprisingly, Pete Tsinnijinnie, the Central Region Commander indicated that they needed chainsaws. Chainsaws? He explained that there wasn’t running water, nor electricity to most of the homes in his region and they needed firewood for cooking and heating their homes. At this time in early May the evening temperatures were in the low 30s.
The donations kept coming in each week from around the community and from across the country, which allowed the weekly flights to continue. Bob and Tom often dropped supplies off on Wednesday afternoon for the early morning flights to Chinle.
The picture below was taken from the Facebook page of Pete Tsinnijinnie, the Central Region Commander, who is most appreciative of the support he is receiving on a weekly basis.
If there is still a need and donations continue to come in, the flights to support the Navajo Nation’s worst hit COVID-19 Region will continue. It is a labor of love to support our Navajo brothers and sisters.
Tom Eisiminger, Jr. Bob Dalpe 623.910.8195 bobdalpe.az@gmail.com |
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| CHANDLER PAYS TRIBUTE TO VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lew Bradley (Class of 2008) was interviewed for this video along with other veterans. View the 35 minute interview. |
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| IN MEMORY OF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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: |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EDITOR'S NOTE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. |
In late April, it became obvious that the Navajo Nation was struggling with the impact of COVID-19. Two members of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Bob Dalpe (Class of 2017), and Tom Eisiminger, Jr. (Class of 2018), heard about a program taking donations for the Navajo Nation. This program was being led by another Arizona Veterans Hall of Famer, Andrew Jones (Class of 2017). That first delivery of supplies was $800 worth of groceries, and $500 in N95 masks. Eventually, there was a second delivery of supplies. 
Armed with this information Bob and Tom started to procure chainsaws, and items to support the harvesting of firewood including gas cans and repair parts. At about the same time, it came to the attention of these Hall of Famers, that Mesa-based MD Helicopters was interested in supporting any mission related to COVID-19. Thus was born the weekly flights to Chinle. 
Donations continued to come in during the subsequent weeks. In one instance, Tom Eisiminger became aware of a Phoenix company that had retooled their production line to make N95 masks and isolation gowns. AMSafe, which had previously made aircraft restraint systems (seatbelts and cargo straps), was making these critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items. Their business was down by 90%, so they changed their operations to assist with the COVID-19 crisis. They donated over 1000 N95 masks and nearly 100 isolation gowns to the Navajo people in Chinle. 
The picture on the left is one of AMSafe’s crash test dummies, used to test their aircraft restraint systems. It is “modeling” the N95 masks and isolation gowns that AMSafe was now making to help the Phoenix community with the COVID-19 crisis. As another example of the public/private partnership, the N95 material for these medical supplies was donated by WL Gore in Flagstaff, Arizona. 
All in all, nearly $20K in supplies were delivered: 20+ chainsaws, gas cans, supplies for the chainsaws, 1900 N95 masks, 100+ isolation gowns, $1500 for fuel, 60 gallons of hand sanitizer, hundreds of quart containers allowing the hand sanitizer to be individually delivered to homes, and gloves were donated. There was also over $2000 in food and water cans delivered to help our brothers and sisters in the Central Region of the Navajo.
Pete’s crew of Navajo Veterans took care of the Veterans and their widows by delivering PPE, and firewood that came from the efforts of what has now been dubbed, the “Chinle Chainsaw Brigade”
If you care to donate, feel free to reach out to either Tom Eisiminger or Bob Dalpe.