Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Here we are approaching May and still being careful to stay safe as we begin to get out once again. While the covid situation has improved significantly in Arizona, we are not yet past this dangerous situation.

A number of things have moved forward in the past month, several of them items that we have been working on for some time.

LEGAL COUNSEL: Richard G. Erickson and the firm of Snell & Wilmer LLP have agreed to provide the services of Legal Counsel for the Society. Several months ago, we lost Gregg Maxon who had filled this position for a number of years. Gregg moved out of state and had to resign. After what felt like an extensive search, the Society entered into an Agreement with Snell & Wilmer LLP; Richard Ericson will be our point of contact. Following is Richard’s biography. You can clearly see why we are pleased to have him.

Rick Erickson practices in the areas of construction law, commercial litigation and military law. He maintains the highest client and peer rating (5.0) as an AV® Preeminent™ attorney on Lexis‐Nexis® Martindale‐Hubbell® (2012-2021). He served for eight years on the Executive Council of his State Bar practice section and was Chair-Elect from 2013-2014. Rick was inducted as an American Bar Foundation Fellow in 2016 and is continually recognized in Best Lawyers in America® Construction Law (2015-2021). Rick is further distinguished for his exceptional presentations and seminars to national and international audiences such as London Build, National Business Institute and Associated General Contractors of America. Rick is also a decorated Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps now in his thirtieth year of active and reserve service. He has deployed multiple times as both an infantry officer and judge advocate and has been published on topics of cyberwarfare, counterinsurgency and national security law. Rick is actively involved in the community, contributing as a leader, board member and volunteer for several local and national service and veteran organizations, including U.S. VETS, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers.

AVHOF CLASS of 2020 INDUCTION: I have been reporting to you for some months now on continuing efforts to induct the 2020 class. Suffice it to say that the various Covid restrictions have been a serious hindrance in getting this task accomplished. The Induction Committee has now put in place plans to induct all 2020 class members in May. The induction ceremonies will be performed individually, one for each class member. The inductee, his or her spouse plus one other have been informed of the specifics of their ceremony. We all look forward to getting this process complete. Following is a list of the cities where inductions will be performed, the dates inductions will be held and the individuals that will be inducted on that date.

2020 AVHOF Induction Ceremonies

NOTE: Harold Pittman will be inducted with the Class of 2021

Unfortunately, the inductions are private and not open to the public. If you were not invited by the Induction Committee you are not allowed to attend.

The Society has arranged to have each induction ceremony video-recorded by a professional videographer. The individual videos will be available a few days after each induction. Additionally, a composite video will be produced showing all inductees as individuals and as a group. This video will be available several weeks after the final induction ceremony is complete.

I assure you that none of us wanted to carry out the induction of the 2020 class in this way. Unfortunately, we are faced with extraordinary circumstances and have been forced to devise a plan to fit the situation. It is my sincere hope that the inductions will be well received, and the class of 2020 will recognize the efforts that are being made.

Patriotic Awards Luncheon: This is the premier event of the year for the Society. The PAL committee has been busy planning and it is shaping up to be quite an impressive event. Be sure to review the information on the PAL presented by Ron Perkins and Pat Little-Upah.

OPPORTUNITIES: We are currently seeking a member to fulfill the duties of Chaplain. We also are looking for an Assistant Treasurer. Please contact me directly if you would consider taking on one of these positions. We need your involvement and commitment. You may reach me at monroe.avhofs@gmail.com or 480-363-0044.

Ron Perkins AVHOFS President Emeritus Class of 2012

Dear Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Members,

We have tried to get the word out about the Patriotic Awards Luncheon scheduled for Friday the 18th of June via our monthly newsletters and information on our website www.avhof.org.  There will not be individual invitations sent out to members this year by mail.  We encourage you to go to the web site where you can register online or print out the registration form and fill it out and send it in with a check to the society’s address.  If you are coming from out of town and would like to make reservations at the Doubletree Resort for the 17th or 18th of June, you can find information online and on the registration form.  We have arranged for the room cost to be reduced to $99 plus taxes.  Here is the link to use the registration fillable form.

The form can be filled out and emailed or printed out and mailed.

We hope to see you there.

Ron Perkins & Pat Little Upah
AVHOFS PAL
Co-Chairs

ARIZONA VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME SOCIETY 2021 COPPER EAGLE
Arizona Public Service

Founded in 1884, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is the largest electric utility in Arizona.  APS is committed to its veteran employees, families, and the veteran community.  The APS Veteran Engagement Transition Retention Network was formed to create an environment of inclusiveness that fosters loyalty and retention by involving APS employees in volunteerism, outreach, and fundraising that benefits the Arizona veteran community.  Nearly 20% of the more than 6,300 employees are veterans.  APS features programs like tuition assistance and differential pay for up to five years when employees in the Guard and Reserve are deployed.  APS President Jeff Guldner, a Navy veteran, created a full-time director-level position to lead the APS Military and Veteran Engagement Program, as well as two full-time recruiters focused on military/veteran recruiting.

APS leads the veteran-hiring effort at the national level, including the Troops to Energy Jobs Program and Veterans in Energy.  They have been a key corporate leader in veteran hiring and veteran workforce development.  APS co-founded the Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers.  The company regularly supports and sponsors veteran-care fairs and hiring conferences.  In 2019, APS was one of the sponsors for the launch of the CyberVets USA Program in the state of Arizona. 

APS has received numerous awards and recognition for its work with the military and veterans.  These include the Department of Defense Freedom Award, the Governor’s Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer designation, designation as a military friendly company by GI Jobs Magazine for eight years in a row, and is among only five Arizona companies to receive the first Hire Vets Medallion award from the Department of Labor in 2018.

Throughout its history, APS has exemplified a company that is committed to going above and beyond to serve Veterans.

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ARIZONA VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME SOCIETY 2021 COPPER SWORD
Dr. Michael Marks

Dr. Michael Marks has worked with veterans and their families for over 40 years.  In 1979, as a civilian, he helped co-found Vietnam Veterans of Montana, advocating for Vet Centers to be established in rural Montana.  In 2004, Dr. Marks moved to Arizona to be the Director of the PTSD Outpatient Clinic at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS).  In 2007, Dr. Marks, along with a colleague at the University of Arizona, developed curricula designed for returning Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans.  The program, Supportive Education for Returning Veterans, has gained national recognition and served as the foundation of the VA’s Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership Program that is now on 25 campuses.  In 2012, Dr. Marks was named “Clinician of the Year”.  

After his retirement, he joined the University of Arizona Vet Center to continue his work in the University setting.  As a Professor of Practice in Psychology, Dr. Marks currently consults and provides evaluations for the James E. Rogers School of Law’s Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic students.  He is instrumental in the Veterans Alliance Training, working with University of Arizona faculty to sensitize them to the unique challenges and strengths that student veterans bring to the college community.

Throughout his career, Dr. Marks dedication to the military community has transformed lives through programs, education, advocacy, and fostering resiliency to overcome the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families.

Nancy Fassbender AVHOFS Secretary Class of 2020

Do you know that Pinal County does not have a Memorial for the fallen soldiers in all wars?  In 2010, PCVMF was founded to make a park like setting with an octagon shaped wall with the names of all the fallen heroes who were from Pinal County.

In order to raise money for this Memorial, we normally have two fundraisers a year.  Our first fundraiser this year will be on May 22, 2021.  It will be a golf outing at the Poston Butte Golf Course in Florence, AZ.

We take donations as well as sponsors.  We have levels of sponsorship which ranges from $1,000 to $25,000 packages for the Memorial.

Nancy Fassbender (Class of 2020) is the author of My Fallen Hero and all proceeds will go to the Memorial.  Her idea in this book was to give each fallen hero their own story. 

She also found that in her research there were other stories to tell about what happened in our area.  In the book, there are stories about the Japanese Relocation Center, the “Great Escape” that most of us all know about, as well as what the Monopoly Game was used for in WWII.  She has written about a few animal heroes as well in the book.

Our bronze statue which will greet everyone before they enter the Memorial is done.  It stands 6’2” tall!  On March 13th, we traveled down to Tucson to visit with the Sculptor Ann LaRose.  This statue is so real-like you would swear it was alive.  She did an excellent job.  We will be proud to have this statute represent the honor of the Fallen Soldiers who died fighting for our country.

Anyone who is interested in knowing more about the Memorial or being a sponsor, please call Donna Stadum at 480-332-6916. Download registration form.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Activity has picked up sizably in the past month.  And not just in one area.  Preparations for our June 18th Patriotic Awards Luncheon have accounted for some, but so has activity in our Country Store, and Tech support.  That’s great!  Perhaps it means that health-wise things are turning around.

Well, the HELP WANTED sign is out for all of you to consider.  I have been Treasurer for your Society for the past 7 years.  The job has grown in responsibility over that period of time.  An assistant would be greatly appreciated by me.

OR… if there is someone out there who feels they would like to be the treasurer with or without an assistant, please step forward and make yourself known.  I will be around to offer answers and assistance as needed.  At this point I would be willing to step down completely, or be an assistant to a new treasurer, if so desired.

Give it some thought and if you have questions, you can contact me by phone at 623-544-4477 or by email at jp7wojtas@gmail.com.

During the past month, your Century Club gained another $950.  That brings our total for fiscal year to $7,557.  Our goal for the 30th of June is $10,000.  Reaching that goal won’t be easy, but it can be done. Those members reading this who have not contributed to date, please consider doing so and helping your Society continue funding some great programs.

And remember, when mailing your contributions to the Society, PLEASE use the complete address as shown below.

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

Due to the delay of the individual induction ceremonies, the Country Store will remain open through the month of May.  The Society challenge coins are available now for $10 each, although they are not shown in the Country Store yet.  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..

The Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council of Mohave County (JAVC), along with Kingman Elks Lodge #468 Veterans Committee, hosted a Veterans Resource Fair in Kingman on Friday March 26th.  Additional support was received from the Arizona Veterans Stand Down Alliance (AVSA).

We had 42 Resource providers with services ranging from Diabetic, HIV and HEP-C testing.  The Veterans Treatment Courts from Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City and Kingman, along with the Superior Court, were there to help with legal issues.  Veterans Service Organizations, Claims and Benefits counselors were also available.  Employment and companies with available jobs were also present.  Many other resources were available for the 80+ veterans who attended.  A Thanksgiving Turkey lunch was prepared by the ELKS volunteers and served to all in attendance.  Transportation was provided to all requesting it.  Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame members in attendance and contributing to a successful event were Shane Groen (AVSA), Judge Mitch Kalauli (LHC Veterans Treatment Court), Joan McDermott ( VFW District #8), Pat Farrell (President, JAVC) and Joe Little (JAVC resource).

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 202"1
Frank Hoke (Class of 2020) passed on 14 January
James Johnston (Class of 2013) passed 14 January
Joe Briggs (Class of 2020) passed 15 January
Helene (Billee) Culin (Class of 2017) passed 19 January