Gerry Berger AVHOFS President Class of 2016

Dear Patriots,

I extend my very Best Wishes to you and your family for some wonderful holidays ahead. Although we still remain under CDC Guidelines, I hope all will be healthy and happy in 2021. Please continue to be safe and well in these trying times.

As I depart the office of President of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, I want to extend my thanks to all who have mentored me along this road and to those who are and were a part of the Society Board during my tenure. Those who have assisted me and advised me during this adventure are too numerous to name so I can only hope they recognize their value to me and the Society. I am at a loss for words to express my gratefulness to all who worked hard for our veterans in Arizona.

I too have continued to be inspired as I have read your Biographies in our UAV History Book of Service and Inspiration. Please continue that level of inspiration.

As I have been taking a brief time away from the President responsibilities, I definitely see your next President, Jim Monroe, will be moving our Society further forward. Separately, for those who would be interested in serving on our Society Board or in other capacities, please let your preferences be known to Jim Monroe. I look forward to a time when we can all be together again and therefore I hope to see many of you at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon in April. I know Jim and our Luncheon Chair, Ron Perkins, will have information as it becomes available.

Many Good Wishes and thank you all again for your constant work for our communities, state and Nation. Challenge to find peace, joy and purpose in your lives.

With endless gratitude,

Gerry Berger

Aspire to Inspire Before you Expire

Jim Monroe AVHOFS Vice President Class of 2016

Meetings:
The detailed minutes  of this Business Meeting, and all Board of Directors meetings are posted on the AVHOFS website avhof.org.  Please review the minutes on the website; you will find specific information there and see exactly what went on.

2021 General Membership Meeting:
This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 13 at 1000.  It will once again be a virtual ZOOM meeting.  We will review plans for the year and the new officers and directors will be installed.  I will be providing meeting details by email to each member as well as a posting in the January Patriot.  Please plan to join us as we kick off 2021.  

Copper Awards:
The following awards will be presented during the AVHOFS Patriotic Awards Luncheon in April, 2021.  Details to come.
   Copper Sword Awards:
         2019 - Kristine Huskey, nominated by Michael P Pollard.
         2020 - Arizona Public Service Company, nominated by Hal Pitmen.
    Copper Eagle Awards:
         2019 - Hospice of the Valley, Nominated by Jerry R. Wojtas.
         2020 - Michale Williams Marks, nominated by Cody Nichols.

National Veterans Magazine:
The UAV, specifically Lea Seago (2013 class), worked closely with Mark Field (2019 class) Publisher & Editor of the National Veterans Magazine to compose and incorporate a two-page spread in the just-released issue of this exemplary publication.  The first page concentrates on the activities of the Unified Arizona Veterans while the second page addresses the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame members and the selection and induction process.  It goes on to address the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society and its activities and programs.  The magazine is distributed to many locations around the state and you should pick one up.

ARIZONA VETERANS HALL OF FAME C/O UNIFIED ARIZONA VETERANS P.O.BOX 34338 PHOENIX, AZ 85067 (602) 799-9480 Cell     The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct    The Class of 2020 in Field Ceremonies in February 2021 For Immediate Release     Points of Contact: Travis Burns, Communications Director, cell 928.701.6997; or Carol Culbertson, Secretary, secretary@azuav.org, cell 602.799.9480  Unified Arizona Veterans is pleased to announce the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2020!   The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is sponsored and administered by the Unified Arizona Veterans, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Phoenix, Arizona, www.azuav.org.  The Induction Ceremony recognizes and honors Arizona veterans who have honorably served their country and who continue to serve and inspire their fellow American citizens with civic deeds and accomplishments outside their military service, including Arizona Medal of Honor Recipients recognized for valor in action against enemy forces in wartime.  The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is recognized by the Governor of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, and supported by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  This will be the 20th class of veterans inducted since the inception of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2001.  COVID-19 and CDC guidelines are having their impact on the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.     Planning is underway to recognize the Class of 2020 at the annual AVHOF Induction Ceremony scheduled for October 2021.  In the interim, individual Induction Ceremonies are being scheduled for February 2021 in three locations:  Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson.   The members of the AVHOF Class of 2020 are: Harold Joe Briggs, Army veteran, Mesa, Arizona Steven Harold Cooper, Army veteran, Chandler Karen Martha Craig, Army veteran, Tempe Albert Benjamin Crawford, Jr., Army veteran, Phoenix Nancy Lynne Fassbender, Army veteran, Gold Canyon Eric James Fowler, Army veteran, Huachuca City Adam Ray Garrard, Air Force veteran, Lakeside Shane Justin Groen, Navy veteran, Phoenix Frank Murdock Hoak III, Navy veteran, Fountain Hills (posthumous) Roberta Jane Kimelton, Army veteran, Peoria Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr., Air Force veteran, Anthem Edward Charles Logan, Air Force veteran, Litchfield Park James Kimball McCoy, Marine Corps veteran, Lake Havasu City Clyde David Meade, Navy veteran, Dewey Elizabeth Ann Nehring, Navy veteran, Phoenix Harold Everette Pittman, Navy veteran, Phoenix Maureen Pryor, Army veteran, Sierra Vista Johnny David Ramirez. Army veteran, Phoenix Randall Louis Schriver, Army veteran, Glendale John James South, Army veteran, Phoenix William Christopher Spicer, Air Force veteran, Peoria Darlene Diane Tryon, Air Force veteran, Gilbert Debra Kay Undhjem, Air Force veteran, Litchfield Park For questions about the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: secretary@azuav.org, telephone 602.799.9480 cell.    And finally, with the holiday season upon us and the world a different place, I wish a safe and joyous season for you and yours.  May we all do our part to keep things centered as we celebrate the gifts we have been blessed with.  Looking forward to 2021 with excitement and anticipation for good things to come.

And finally, with the holiday season upon us and the world a different place, I wish a safe and joyous season for you and yours.  May we all do our part to keep things centered as we celebrate the gifts we have been blessed with.  Looking forward to 2021 with excitement and anticipation for good things to come.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Banks are getting very picky on what they will accept and what they won’t accept.  Please, from now on only write Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society or AVHOFS on the PAY TO THE ORDER OF line.  Nothing more or nothing less please.  Anything else on the PAY TO THE ORDER OF line and the check will be and has been rejected.

In the lower left-hand portion of your check you can write Century Club or Scholarship or Veterans Court or some other program that you wish to support.  That is fine, but not on the PAY TO THE ORDER OF line.

The same goes for the Society Address.  If you only use 4980 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248-5545 you will find your mail has reached a HUGH building with thousands of individual Post Office Boxes inside.  Unless you use Ste. A2-619 in the address when mailing, we will never get your letter or check or whatever you mailed to us.

I’m an old man and getting older as each day passes.  I don’t need headaches at this stage of my life.  Our bank is trying to give me headaches all the time.  Help me live a little longer by adhering to the information about.  Thank you.

Below you’ll see the latest listing of our Century Club donations.  I think everyone is aware that we have exceeded our goal for 2020.  Thanks to all Society members who contributed and continue to contribute to made this year a success.

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
4980 S. Alma School Road, Ste, A2-619
Chandler, AZ 85248-5545

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (2010 Goal is $7,500. Total to date is $8,915.40.)

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

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Country Store will close October 30, 2020. The next time the Store will open will be in the spring starting April 1, 2021.

The Country store catalog can be found on the AVHOF Web site. If you have a problem finding what you want please feel free to contact me at (480) 694-2425 or my email at ramnpt@cox.net

Roy McClymonds
AVHOFS Quartermaster
Class of 2017

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:
Earl Milford (Class of 2012) passed 19 May
Henry Ong, Jr. (Class of 2005) passed 2 July
Jose Aldecoa (Class of  2014) passed 19 July
Leo Pimple (Class of 2011) passed 20 July
Mike Ferguson (Class of 2018) passed 12 October
Edward MacIntyre (Class of 2002) passed 15 October
William (Bill) Hess (Class of 2009) passed 8 November

William Parker Hess, 82

BENSON — William Parker Hess died on November 8, 2020 at the Sierra Vista Hospital from complications of several strokes and diabetes.

Born on April 13, 1938 to Edward and Edna (MacNear) Hess in Newburgh, New York.

Bill was an Air Force Vietnam Veteran and an Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Member. He had a 26-year storied career in the Air Force. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he became a 30-year reporter for Wick Communications, reporting in both the Sierra Vista and Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina papers.

Bill is predeceased by his parents; wife, Sally; and son, Stewart. He is survived by his brothers, John and George of New Windsor, New York; his daughter, Tarryl (Gary) Biddle of Benson, Arizona; son, Kevin of Palominos, Arizona; his daughter in law, Beth of Eclectic, Alabama; his grandchildren, Lauren (Robert), Sara (Dennis), Christy, Sarah (Brad), Daniel (Hannah), Sean and Nathan; and his great grandchildren Emma, Jacob, MaCayla, Gregory, Jordan, Benjamin and Parker.

Due to the Covid Virus, there will be no funeral. The family will have a small private memorial at a date to be determined. If you wish to extend your sympathies, please donate to a charity of your choice.