Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Welcome to 2021, a very exciting and challenging year for your Society.  2020 was tough for all of us and with the COVID vaccine now being administered, we all look forward to relief from the restrictions we have been under.  We have lost some friends and fellow patriots.  It is my sincere hope that the COVID situation is now being brought under control and we can begin to return to some semblance of normal.

I offer the following:

AVHOF Class of 2020 Inductions:
The inductions scheduled for February have been cancelled.  On Friday, 1/8/21, the UAV Board of Directors met to consider the induction plans.  It was recognized that public safety and health must be the number 1 concern and several members of the 2020 class are in the at-risk category.  “The UAV Board, in view of the current COVID numbers and the general health precautions, believes that an in-person event should not be held at this time.  We need to postpone the individual Induction Ceremonies until further notice. The UAV Board will continue to track the daily COVID reports.  Things may change for the better as summer approaches.”

All inductees have now been notified by phone call and email.  A formal letter of notification, a copy of the Governor’s Proclamation and an AVHOF lapel pin is being sent to each.  The UAV and the AVHOFS considers the class of 2020 to officially be members of the AVHOF and the AVHOFS.  The Plaque and Medallion will be delivered to each at a later date as plans are formulated.

Your Society is making efforts to incorporate these new members right away.  In mid-January, each was contacted by one of our officers or directors who are acting as their liaison/host to introduce them to the Society.   We are also planning on a ZOOM meeting specifically aimed at sharing Society Information with these new members, details to come.

I am sure you know that the UAV and Society are not pleased with what must be done to bring in these new members, and it surely is not what the new members might have expected.   We are in unprecedented times and are forced to come up with creative ways to get things done.

Arizona Department of Veterans Service / AVHOFS Contract:
In the first quarter of 2020, Ron Perkins, Gary Fredrickson, Harvey Bershader and others prepared an unsolicited proposal to be submitted to ADVS.  The proposal was for the Society to provide/perform certain services to be underwritten by ADVS.  The proposal was submitted and several of us have been working with ADVS since that time in an effort to get it approved.  The specific items addressed were:

• AVHOF Induction Ceremony
• Annual Patriotic Awards Events
• Arizona Veterans Treatment Court
• Maternity Outreach for Mothers
• Internet Website
• StandDown
• Veterans Booth at AZ State Fair
• AVHOFS Funeral Honors
• Insurance

The contract has been signed by ADVS and AVHOFS and is now in force.  This gives the Society a great deal of support and alleviates many of the concerns over funding our activities.  We are very pleased with the contract and look forward to working closely with ADVS this year.

New Officers and Directors:
Officers and Directors for the Society were installed Wednesday, January 13.  They are identified on the Patriots first page.  I personally look forward to serving this year and next as Society President.  It is certainly a challenge given the things we face, and I will need much support as we move forward into the new year.  Please join me and your fellow Society members as we plan and execute our duties.  We are always open to suggestions and appreciate your input and participation.

Search for Chaplain:
Vincent Sanchez has served as Chaplain for the Society for the past few years.  Vince is having some medical issues and may be limited in what he can do for a while.  Consequently, we need to identify a new Chaplain.  The Chaplain will serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and participate in all functions of the Society.  The duties involve preparing and delivering opening prayers and closing benedictions for meetings, participate in Society activities regarding funeral honors and flag presentations and other duties as required of this important position.  I ask that you consider filling this position for the Society.  If interested, please contact Jim Monroe directly at (480-363-0044 or monroe.avhofs@gmail.com) for discussion.

Patriots Awards Luncheon:
The PAL has been rescheduled to June 18th in consideration of COVID restrictions.  Ron Perkins is the Chairman and Pat Little-Upah is Vice Chairman.  It will be held at the Doubletree Resort in Scottsdale as it has been in the past.  Ron and Pat will be providing details as plans cone together.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

One year ago, your Society board set a goal of $7,500 for our Century Club to reach in 2020.  Thanks to our wonderful members, we not only reached it, but ended the year with a total of $10,066.40.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are now switching to a fiscal year and 6 months ago we set a goal of $10,000 for the year.  The first 6 months produced $3,151 in revenue.  Thanks to a robust January, we have reached $4,182 as we go to press.

With our Patriotic Awards Luncheon being pushed back to June 18th, we will have two years’ worth of scholarships to present.  That will put a strain on our treasury, but we know that our membership will answer the call and address our needs.  By the way, we have added a NEW category; those members contributing $400 or more will be shown in GOLD.

Amazon Smile continues to be a significant contributor to our Scholarship Fund.  In Nov. alone it added $43.86 to our fund.  If you haven’t done so, please consider using Amazon Smile whenever you purchase products from Amazon.

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

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (FY Goal is $10,000. Total to date is $4,182)

Black - up to $100  GREEN - $101-$199   BLUE - $200-$299   RED - $300 and above GOLD - $400 and above

Listed below are those that have contributed so far in CY 2021.

Roy McClymonds AVHOFS Quartermaster Class of 2017

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society maintains the Country Store.  The store is normally open twice a year allowing our members place their orders in the spring and fall.  Our newest members usually like to order their Hall of Fame items so they can wear them right after their induction.  With the Covid 19 pandemic we have had to do significant changes in the induction ceremonies.  Due to this major change in the way we have had to perform the ceremonies, the decision has been made to open the Country store an additional month. That being said, all our members can place an additional order in the month of February 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.

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 Jim Monroe at j.c.monroe@cox.net.

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
Gary Drumheller (Class of 2013) passed 23 December
Larry McKim (Class of 2011) passed 27 December

Known members that have passed in 2021
Jim Johnson (Class of 2013) passed 14 January
Helene (Billee) Culin (Class of 2017) passed 19 January

LARRY McKIM (CLASS OF 2011) OBITUARY
Larry E. McKim was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1943; passed 27 December 2020.

He was a First Sergeant, US Army, Retired, and a former Corrections Officer, Nevada Department of Prisons.

He was a longtime member and former Chairman, Sierra Vista West End Commission, which develops and carries out key projects to revitalize and rebuild historic downtown Sierra Vista.  He led the West End Fair, which attracts visitors to the West End. He established a Local Improvement District in Sierra Vista, the first in many years. He advocated for veterans through his VFW Post 9972. He was a founding member, United Veterans Council. As President, Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation, he was instrumental in planning and accomplishing the Historical Soldiers Relocation Project, the transfer of post-Civil War soldiers’ remains from Tucson to Sierra Vista. He secured and managed over $100,000 in donations for improvement projects at the Cemetery.

HELENE “BILLEE” CULIN (CLASS OF 2017) OBITUARY

Helene “Billee” Culin, beloved veterans advocate, proud Nana, avid knitter and crochet guru, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Dobson Home of Hospice of the Valley. She was 74 years old.

Billee was born Helene Florence Kiefert in 1946 in San Antonio, TX, to parents Gloria and Ralph Kiefert. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharee Lynn, in 2012, and her sister, Sandi Grippo, in 2017. She is survived by her husband, Taylor Culin, Mesa, AZ, children Kristopher (Jenny), Bristol, CT, Peter (Rachel), Mesa, AZ and grandchildren, Nathan and Agnes.

In 1968, after pondering what to do with her life, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, during the height of the Vietnam War. Naively, she figured the only way she could help stop the war was to join it, and she went on to proudly serve as secretary to General Westmoreland in the Pentagon.

Shortly after honorable discharge from the Army, Billee found a job as a secretary in a small insurance office, the start of her career in the insurance business.

On March 17, 1974, Billee married her husband Taylor.  Her eldest, Kristopher, was born in 1978 followed by her twins, Sharee and Peter, just 360 days later in 1979! During this time, she was working full time, attended Mercy College full-time at night, and completed her Bachelor’s in Business Management in just 4 years and 4 months, while having three babies in her last two years of school. Additionally, Billee worked in the Veterans Office at Mercy College helping veterans to receive their VA educational benefits.

Soon after her family relocated to Simsbury, CT, in 1987, she joined the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) in West Hartford, CT. Here, she advocated for veterans by serving as Chapter Director, State Council President, and National At-Large Director. She was commander for 8 years at the Abe E Miller American Legion Post 133 in South Windsor, CT.

After working in several insurance agencies with increasing responsibilities, Billee retired in 2008 as a Certified Insurance Counselor, handling servicing of large, multi-million-dollar commercial accounts.

Soon after Taylor's retirement in 2010, they relocated to Arizona, to be closer to their son Peter (Rachel). In 2012 and 2014, her two grandchildren, Nathan and Agnes, respectively, were born. The title of “Nana” was her most cherished and one she wore with pride.

Billee was an avid knitter and crocheter, winning many blue ribbons at “The Big E” in Massachusetts, the Arizona State Fair, and the Maricopa County Fair. She was also a collector of unique salt and pepper shakers.

Billee founded West Valley Chapter 1043, VVA. Billee supported veterans with her Service Officer expertise, leadership of Chapter fundraising activities, and the Help-A-Vet financial assistance program they started. She advocated for veterans as a member of the National VVA Agent Orange Committee. To thank Billee for her tireless efforts, West Valley Chapter 1043 was re-named: The Billee Culin West Valley Chapter 1043, VVA! In 2017, Billee was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, 4980 S Alma School Rd, Suite A2-619, Chandler, AZ 85248. A virtual Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021.