Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

AVHOFS General Membership &
BOD Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2021

The March AVHOF General Membership & BOD meeting was changed this month.  We invited the 2020 new inductees to join in our meeting and learn a little about the AZ Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  We did not have the normal approval for the February Minutes and Treasury report.  We will approve both the February and March reports in the April 2020 meeting. 

1.     Call to Order @ 1001/ Board of Directors Roll Call:  Jim Monroe
 Roll Call: Present, Excused, Absent, Vacant

Members and Guests Present:

13 members of Class of 2020:  Karen Craig, Albert Crawford, Nancy Fassbender, Eric Fowler, Adam Garrard, Shane Groen, Roberta Kimelton, Thomas Kirk, Edward Logan, James McCoy, Randall Schriver, William (Chris) Spicer, and Darlene Tryon.

Guest:  Kelly Anne Wilde.

Other members:  Charles Schluter, Carol Culbertson, Chuck Byers, Dick Minor, Ed Logan, Gene Crego, Gary Fredricks, Glenn Hohman, Lee Lange, Phil Hanson, Sam Young.

2.  Pledge of Allegiance:  Roy McClymonds

3. Opening Prayer:  Christine Mahon

4.  Welcome Class of 2020:  Jim Monroe, President of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society

Class of 2014, a veteran of the Navy Seabees, welcomed the class of 2020.  He mentioned that the class was accepted as full members of the Society in mid-January.   Since its inception in 2001, there have been a total of 456 veterans inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.  With over half a million veterans in Arizona, you can see that those inducted are a very select group indeed, representing considerably less than 1% of veterans state-wide.

Jim explained that today’s meeting is planned to give you some insight into a few programs and activities of the Society. 
To begin the Special Presentations, Jim introduced Glenn Hohman, class of 2018, to brief all on Society Public Relations activities. 

5.  Public Relations:  Glenn Hohman, Program Chairman 

The Website needed to be updated as well as the Social Media; both will be used more frequently.  Starting with the 2020 Class, every week a different classmate will be highlighted on Social media - Facebook. They also will be promoting what different members are doing out in their community with pictures and articles.

Glenn asked everyone to please “Like” the posts that are on Social Media and “Share” the posts for the information to get out to the public.  AVHOFS is not getting the information out that is needed not only to educate the public, but to help continually get more sponsors.  See his attached slide show. 

Phil Hanson mentioned that the names of all the AVHOF members are displayed at the Arizona State Capital.

Phil's presentation
   

6.  Brief History of AVHOF & AVHOFS:   Charles Schluter, Past President

Charles gave a history of the AVHOF.  It started in 2001 and Arizona was the 2nd state to have a Veterans Hall of Fame.  The first state was Ohio.

He gave the history of the two AVHOF Lapel pins.

Charles also mentioned the history and the meaning of the Copper Shield and Copper Sword.  See slides to know more about the history.

7.  Be Connected:  Kelly Anne Wilde, Assistant Director of Programs AZ Coalition for Military Families.

Kelly mentioned that there were over 7,000 helpers who were trained in the Resource Navigation.  The purpose of this program is to help and assist Veterans with resources that are available to them.  Anything from helping a Veteran to get on his/her feet, to scholarships, etc.  It is a “One Stop Shop”!  If you happen to know a Veteran who needs help or has questions, give this number to them.  The number is 866-429-8387.  She urged everyone to put it in their cell phones in case they happen to run into a Veteran who needs help.  There are many places for volunteers to assist with this program.  They offer free training for those who are interested.   On April 21 & 22, 2021, the 11th annual statewide symposium in support of service members, veterans, and their families will be presented.  It will be a Virtual Conference from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.  See attached sheet.

The Arizona Coalition for Military Families and our planning partners invite you to join us for the

11th Annual Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families

April 21 & 22, 2021

8:30 am - 12:00 pm (MST) each day - Virtual Conference Center

Join us this year in a new virtual format with the same opportunity
to gather, connect and learn, in support of all who serve.

4 General sessions featuring Arizona leadership and key statewide initiatives.
2 Half-days of virtual programming focused on increasing knowledge, skills & abilities for serving the military, veteran and family population.
24 Different breakout session topics across 5 tracks, with an emphasis on discussion and Q & A for every breakout.
Opportunities to network with representatives from the military, government & community in an online lounge area.
Virtual sponsor and exhibitor area with program information and resources to assist service members, veterans & their families.

VISIT THE EVENT PAGE:
(the most updated event agenda is posted at this link)

www.ArizonaCoalition.org/Symposium

DOWNLOAD AN EVENT PACKET:
http://arizonacoalition.org/2021%20Symposium%20Reg.pdf

REGISTER NOW:
Thanks to our sponsors and partners, there is no cost to attend the virtual event this year. Please register by April 16.

https://2021symposium.eventbrite.com

QUESTIONS?
Please email: events@arizonacoalition.org

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP BY: 

8.  MOMS Program:  Kathleen Laurier, Director and Program Chair

This program was started in 2006 by Kathy and her sister.  They found that there were many women veterans who needed items for their newborns.  In 2018, AVHOFS voted to support this program.  In 2020, over 174 MOM baskets were given out.  The next baby shower will be held in April or May.  The women veterans will be able to pick up their baskets by visiting the drive thru distribution point.   Kathleen mentioned that the items she collects throughout the year are held in a storage room.  One of our 2020 classmates, Darlene Tryon volunteered to join this committee.

9.  Veterans Court:  Sam Young, Program Chair

The AVHOFS Veteran Court Coordinator, Sam Young, gave a brief overview on the Arizona Veterans Court program and the society’s involvement.  In 2008, the first Veterans courts started in Tucson to help process Veterans that had committed misdemeanors.  In partnership with the VA Medical system, veterans receive assistance in dealing with violations like domestic violence, drug/alcohol abuse, theft, etc.  Once the veteran has complied with the court’s direction, they graduate and ideally are better prepared to return to society.  To support each court, the AVHOFS provides a court banner, graduation coins, calendars, light rail/bus passes, and gift cards.  Currently, there are 17 Veteran courts throughout Arizona.   Most of the courts in Maricopa are in the East Valley. In February 2021, Maricopa approved a North West Regional Veterans Treatment Court.  Given the program’s effectiveness, Glendale, Surprise and Buckeye are considering starting courts.  Sam is in the process of conducting a 2020 survey of each court’s activities and will provide the results in April.

10.  Patriotic Awards Luncheon 2021 Status:  Ron Perkins & Pat Little-Upah, Co-Chairmen

This Awards Luncheon is scheduled for June 18, 2021.  It will be at the Doubletree Hilton in Scottsdale from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The registration form is now available on line at avhof.org.  Since there is limited seating, everyone is encouraged to register asap.  The Luncheon is $40 for members and $50 for non-members.  After May 25th, the price will be an additional $10. The hotel discounted price is $99 plus tax. Download the flyer.

Ron Perkins AVHOFS President Emeritus Class of 2012

Registration for the luncheon was activated on www.avhof.org on March 6th, 2021. You can go to the web site and register online or fill out the registration form and mail it to Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, 4980 South Alma School Road, A2-619, Chandler, AZ 85248.  Below are two of the Copper Award recipients:

2020 AVHOFS Copper Eagle Award – Hospice of the Valley

After launching Hospice of the Valley, it was recognized that Arizona had more military Veterans than most other states.  Nearly half of these Veterans are over 65 years old and some carry traumatic experiences and illnesses from their service that may emerge at the end of life.  Clinical staff is trained to help Veterans who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.  Since 2011, Hospice of the Valley has proudly served Veterans with its Saluting Our Veterans program.  This beautiful tribute recognizes the unique contributions and needs of Veterans with visits from fellow Veterans who present pins and flags honoring their patient’s service. 

2020 AVHOF Copper Sword Award – Kristine Huskey

Kristine Huskey joined the College of Law in 2013 as Director of the Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic.  In addition to teaching clinical legal education, Professor Huskey also teaches international human rights law, national security law and the laws of armed conflict.

Prior to joining the Arizona Law faculty, Professor Huskey taught national security and international human rights and humanitarian law at law schools across the country and globally.  She was the founding director of the National Security Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law and taught in the international human rights clinics at Washington College of Law American University and George Washington University Law School.  Professor Huskey has also taught at Georgetown University Law Center, Howard University, and Victoria University Law School in Wellington, New Zealand.

Professor Huskey writes on issues involving veterans, criminal justice, international human rights, military affairs, and national and international security, such as detention under the laws of war, enemy combatants, torture, and private military and security contractors in wartime.  Her chapter, The US 'Material Support' Bar to Refugee Protection:  An Expansive Approach Through a Narrow Lens, in Still Waiting for Tomorrow:  The Law and Politics of Unresolved Refugee Crises, edited by Susan Akram & Tom Syring, came out in 2014.  She is an active member of the American Society of International Law and was a co-chair of the interest group, Women in International Law.  During her tenure, she helped to develop a global mentoring program for young women interested in pursuing international law as a career.

Professor Huskey is proud of her family's history of military service.  Both her parents are veterans - her father is a Vietnam Vet and her mother a former army nurse. One of her grandfathers flew B-17s during World War II and the other, a native Filipino who survived the Bataan Death March during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, was a US Army Scout and retired after 20 years of service in the US military.

More AVHOFS Copper Awardees will be in the coming Patriots. Do not delay, book your tickets today, AVHOF.org.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it presents a real problem for your treasurer and the member sending us their check.  What happens is that the check is mailed to the correct address BUT WITHOUT THE SUITE AND BOX NUMBER.

That presents a problem because that is the address for a UPS store that contains hundreds, if not thousands, of mailboxes.  If the only address used is that shown above, your letter will fall into a dark hole never to be heard from again.  To ensure that your mail reaches our particular mailbox, you must add our suite and box number; Ste. A2-619.  Our complete address and one that you should use all the time is as follows.

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 $6,982)

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 opened the Country Store during the month of February 2021 due to the Coved 19 pandemic and the significant changes in the induction ceremonies.  Look for it to be reopen April 1, 2021.  Please check the Country Store catalog for a new item starting this Spring. 

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 2021
James Johnston (Class of 2013) passed 14 January
Helene (Billee) Culin (Class of 2017) passed 19 January

ONE OF THREE SURVIVING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN IN ARIZONA PASSES AWAY

Lt. Col. (Retired) Robert Ashby, USAF, and Captain (Retired) Frontier Airlines, passed away Friday, March 5, 2021 at his home in Sun City, AZ. He was 95 years old. This Tuskegee Airman was the first African American hired by Frontier Airlines.

He was born in Yemassee, SC on July 17, 1926. After his father died, his mother Lillian, brother James, sister Elizabeth, and Bob moved to Jersey City, NJ.  While in high school, Bob investigated pilot training after hearing of the experiences of black pilots in the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps at Tuskegee, AL.  At seventeen, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program and was called to active duty in August 1944 after graduating from Ferris High School in Jersey City, N.J. Bob was assigned to Keesler Field, MS for basic training and in December 1944 he was sent to Tuskegee, AL to begin aviation training. As a cadet he flew the Stearman PT-17, AT-6, and the B-25. Ashby graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant with the Tuskegee Class of 45-H on November 20, 1945.

Second Lieutenant Ashby was assigned to Japan as a part of the U.S. occupying force. Upon his arrival, he was rejected by two white flying units because of his color as the Army was still segregated. Ashby was removed from pilot status and assigned to a black company in the Quartermaster Department in Tokyo, Japan. In May 1949, Ashby was reassigned to the black unit at Lockbourne Airfield, OH and was reinstated to flying status. In August 1949, Ashby was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB for a short tour, then to Cleveland Municipal Airport to a Reserve Troop Carrier Wing. Here he trained Reserve weekend warriors in the T-6 and C-46 aircraft.

In 1952, Ashby flew combat in B-26s for a year while stationed in Korea. In 1956, he was assigned to England and flew the T-33, B-45, and B-66 aircraft. Later Ashby trained in the B-47 bomber and later served as a B-47 instructor. In July 1965, Robert Ashby retired as a Lt. Col. after twenty-one years of honorable service in U.S. Air Force. During his career, Bob attended the University of Maryland and U.C.L.A college programs.

Ashby started his commercial aviation career in 1965 with United Airlines as one of their flight operations instructors. He taught in the classroom, on the airplane simulator, and in the 727 aircraft. In 1968, he helped write the training program for the 747 aircraft, including the curriculum, the objectives for the 747, and the instructions for the aircrews.  He also served as a classroom and simulator instructor.
In 1973, Ashby was employed by Frontier Airlines as a second officer pilot, first officer, and then as captain. He flew the Twin Otter, Convair 580, Boeing 737, and MD-80. He had an outstanding record of precision, quality, courtesy, and safety with Frontier Airlines and over 20,000 flying hours. In addition, he was the first African American pilot to reach mandatory retirement age (60 years) with a major airline. Bob Ashby retired on July 17, 1986.
Bob Ashby is survived by his wife, Dorina and three sons. Funeral services will be private due the continued pandemic.
For additional information, please contact Joseph Olano, Public Information Officer, Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Phone: 951-660-9463; email: josephaolano@gmail.com.