Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Fellow Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame members,

If you read my post in the January Patriot, you know that it was totally about promoting the Annual Membership Meeting that was planned for 13 January at the DoubleTree resort in Scottsdale.  After much consideration, and with an abundance of caution and concern for the health and safety of membership, on 10 January I made the decision to cancel this in-person meeting.  Since making that decision, I have heard from several members indicating this was the correct action to take at the time.

Subsequently, a virtual Annual Membership Meeting was scheduled for 19 January.  This meeting was attended by 33 members and it lasted two hours.  Several members went to considerable effort to put this meeting together in such a way as to present very well virtually.  A great deal of information was shared, and everyone finished the meeting with a much better understanding of how your Society functions.  An updated Strategic Plan was delivered and discussed; it is a plan that sets the course for the Society for the next several years.  I note that the Strategic Plan is reviewed yearly and updated as necessary.

Detailed minutes of this meeting are readily available on the Society website, AVHOF.org. Log in and on the right menu click Business Documents.  Take the time to look it up and see all that is planned for your Society in 2022.

Once a year, nominations for the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame are open.  You might want to consider nomination a deserving veteran.  Please see the following information:

Call for Nominations to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2022

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) located in Phoenix, Arizona, seeks to recognize those Arizonans who have worn the uniform of this Nation's Armed Forces, and have contributed to their community, state, or nation in an exemplary manner outside of their military service.  These outstanding contributions may, for example, be in the areas of civic, veterans advocacy, or other contributions of a singular nature or made over a period of time by the Nominee.  The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame focuses on a Nominee's contributions outside of their military service.  Regarding eligibility for nomination to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, the Nominee must have been born in Arizona, or entered military service from Arizona, or lived in Arizona for a minimum of 5 successive years; and must have honorably served as verified by a U.S. Military service document such as a DD Form 214, SF 1300, or equivalent National Guard (NGB-22 or 22A) document, DD Form 363 military retirement certificate or orders, be of good moral character and have no felony convictions.  Satisfaction of the residency requirement is based upon meeting the criteria by the Nomination submission deadline of March 31st.  Posthumous nominations are welcome. 

The Criteria and fillable Nomination Form dated 5 Dec 2020 have been reviewed as still accurate as posted on the web site:  www.azuav.org, Nominations tab.  The Nomination Form and Proof of honorable discharge are required documents accompanied by a Narrative limited to a maximum of 10 single-sided pages, 8½ x 11; and using #12 Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font. At the bottom of the Nomination Form is the mailing address for submitting Nominations.  Complete details are posted at the website.  The postmark deadline for submitting an AVHOF Nomination is March 31st, 2022.  Questions are invited and welcome at:  secretary@azuav.org.    

Note:  Nominations which do not follow the Criteria will be returned to the Nominator. 

For general information about UAV events, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email:  secretary@azuav.org or telephone (602) 799-9480.  Nominators who do not have access to the website, please telephone Secretary Culbertson at (602) 799-9480 to request that the Criteria and Nomination Form be mailed to you. 

Be sure to check out the details of the Upcoming Patriotic Awards Luncheon later in this newsletter.  Registration is now open on the Society website.  I hope to see each of you there.

Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS Vice President Class of 2014

Registration is open for the Patriotic Awards Luncheon which will be held on April 1, 2022.  We encourage you to go to our website and register online or you can download, print, and fill out the registration form and mail it with your payment to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society office.  Early Bird discount pricing is available until March 10, 2022. We look forward to seeing you at the luncheon – don’t delay, book your tickets today at www.AVHOF.org

During the luncheon, the AVHOFS will recognize private institutions and non-military individuals whose actions have contributed significantly to the benefit and well-being of members of the military, our Veterans, their families and survivors in Arizona. We are pleased to introduce two of this year’s Copper Award recipients; see biographies below. More AVHOFS Copper Awardees and our Scholarship recipients will be highlighted in future editions of the Patriot Newsletter.

2022 AVHOFS Copper Eagle Award – The Ability Center of Phoenix

 Since arriving in Phoenix in February of 2006, the Ability Center has helped thousands of disabled veterans regain their independence by providing mobility solutions customized to suit their specific functionality and needs. From hand controls and wheelchair lifts to specialized seating, high tech installations, lowered floor vehicle conversions and ramps, the Ability Center Team specializes in making the impossible possible for our nation’s disabled Veterans.

Ability Center was founded by Darrell Heath and just a few staff members in 1994 and has expanded to more than 120 employees in over 18 locations throughout the United States, including three here in Arizona (Phoenix, Goodyear and Tucson) The company has since been acquired by Braunability, the leading manufacturer of mobility products around the world, thereby further expanding its reach in assisting Veterans throughout the country.

Working closely with the Veterans Administration, physical therapists, occupational therapists, hospital case managers, disability driving instructors and manufacturers, the Ability Center is a committed partner and advocate for Veterans in need. The Ability Center of Phoenix is honored and grateful for the opportunity to give our American heroes back a small sample of the freedoms they have sacrificed so much to protect.

2022 AVHOF Copper Sword Award – Debbie Lee, America’s Mighty Warriors

Debbie founded America’s Mighty Warriors in response to her son’s last letter home challenging us to change the world by doing more Random Acts of Kindness. She has personally thanked over 50,000 troops and veterans and has visited Iraq twice delivering care packages to the troops, while becoming the first Gold Star Mom in history to visit the combat zone where her child was killed.  

Through her foundation, Debbie has provided hundreds of Veterans struggling with PTSD, TBI, and suicidal thoughts, the opportunity to receive life-saving healing therapies through their yearlong Helping Heroes Heal Program. They also provided thousands of Random Acts of Kindness as well as grants for larger crisis situations to include funeral expenses, handicap accommodations, and families struggling with childhood cancer.
America’s Mighty Warriors hosts annual retreats for Gold Star families providing respite, hope, and support for those survivors. She worked with State Legislators to get legislation passed for the Gold Star Memorial at the Arizona State Capitol, and the foundation provided funding for its construction. Debbie continues to fight for legislation at all levels, being the voice for those who were willing to give everything for our freedom.

Patriotic Awards Luncheon sponsorship opportunities still exist.  If interested, contact Gordon James at 602-274-1988, 602-690-7551 or gjames@gcjpr.com.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

In January we were very fortunate to receive a $500 grant from the Southwest Veterans Foundation which we joined several years ago.  Much of the effort to get this grant goes to Society member Tom Sheets, who has been the lead with this organization.

Our Century Club dollars continue to grow as more and more of our members contribute toward this wonderful program.  Members who started out contributing $100 are now in some cases contributing $200 or $300.  We value every contribution given, regardless of the amount.

Our Veterans Court program continues to grow as more courts are opening around our state.  That is great news because there are areas not covered in some cases.

And our Society support of the StandDown Alliance remains because we know it reaches every veteran who needs assistance in out-of-the-way places around our state.

I have a friend in a military organization, and he is a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.  He attended both our last induction ceremony as well as our Patriotic Awards Luncheon and was very impressed.  He stated that Ohio does nothing in the way of pursuing activities or programs like we do.  Based on his statement, all of us should feel very fortunate that we help our fellow veterans the way we do.

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 $6,766)

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

Listed below are those who have contributed so far in 2021.

Tom Sheets AVHOFS Director Class of 2019

The SWVF, the charitable arm of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC), recently awarded a $500 grant to the AZHOFS as part of its 4th quarter charitable grants program.  This unrestricted grant is to be used to support the Veteran programs and operations of the AVHOFS.

Rick Bauer, Chair of the Philanthropy Committee, noted that “the pandemic has made it more difficult for non-profits to raise the money needed to support, let alone increase, their support to Veterans.  We recognized that the AVHOFS supports Veterans and their families in so many ways and we are proud to be able to support its efforts.  While there are hundreds of deserving Veteran non-profits, we give special attention to those organizations that are members of the (SWVCC).”

The SWVF and the AVHOFS will be partnering in an online fundraising auction in March starting on the 5th and running through the 12th.  Funds raised through this auction will be used to support the Veteran programs of both organizations.  If you would like to donate an item of value for the auction, please contact Tom Sheets at t.sheets@swvcc.org or at 602.677.2961/ 760.215.3705.

For more information on the SWVF please visit them at https://swvcc.org/foundation/.  For more information on the SWVCC, please visit them at https://swvcc.org/.

The SWVF wishes to thank the AVHOFS on behalf of the Veterans and their families who benefit from the many AVHOFS programs.

As we enter a new year with great hope for a better year for all, we do so with the full realization that too many Arizona Veterans and their families are still facing significant challenges. To be sure, the last two years of the COVID pandemic have made things worse. Homelessness, unemployment, inflation, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the epidemic of Veteran suicides and other issues continue to plague America’s Veterans. Arizona now has the 5th highest Veteran suicide rate in the US.
To help fund our continued support to our Veterans and their families, the Southwest Veterans Foundation (SWVF), the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC) and the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) will again partner in an Online Fundraising Auction.
The auction will feature nearly 80 items and will begin at 8:00 am on Saturday March 5, 2022 and will end at 7:00 pm on Sunday March 13, 2022.

Auction site: https://southwestveterans.dojiggy.io/446d38
For questions or to donate an auction item, please contact us at 602.677.2961/t.sheets@swvcc.org

 ********************  Please share this with others  ********************

On behalf of the Veterans and their families
who will ultimately benefit from your generosity,
WE THANK YOU.

VETERAN RECEIVES A NEW HOME

Local veteran Doug Hogue receives the keys to his new home on Friday, Dec. 17.  The Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council has received additional funding that will be used to construct four more tiny homes for local veterans struggling with homelessness. (Courtesy photo)
 
Four more graduates of Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council’s Operation 6 will soon have homes thanks to a grant courtesy of the Halle Foundation, but there remain ways that local organizations and community members can lend a hand.

Nani Chrimes, director of membership and volunteers at the JAVC said all four of the tiny homes set to be constructed using the grant money will go to local veterans struggling with homelessness.

“Every one of these homes is going to a homeless veteran, just like the last one,” she said.

One of the recent recipients of a home, and graduate of Operation 6, is Doug Hogue, who received his keys on Friday, December 17, 2021.

“I am very happy with my housing, and so are my little girls,” Hogue said of himself and his pets, also noting his appreciation for the Operation 6 program itself. “Very beneficial.  It helped out with meeting health needs, they helped me out with budgeting; they are great at helping in any way they can.”

The JAVC spent the week leading up to Christmas “hitting the ground running” on the project, Chrimes said. Once the money was received, JAVC President Pat Farrell and David Gellings, a work-based education instructor with the GEO Group, went straight to Home Depot to purchase the necessary materials for construction.

The next day, the pair was set to head to Mesa to pick up the trailers on which the tiny homes will be constructed. The construction itself will come courtesy of the GEO Group and its work-based education program.

“They’ll be building them, just like last time,” Chrimes said. “This is a wonderful program GEO put together ... because it helps them assimilate back in and feel good about what they’re doing.”

While the homes themselves are funded, the JAVC is looking for assistance in finding property on which to place them.

“We are reaching out to other community-based organizations to see if they have property available and if they want to work with us on putting any of these on that property,” Chrimes said. “And also the fact that we need people to be helping further down the road, like if Doug were to need something in his home, we would contact other agencies.” “That would be excellent, to have a community-based outreach system,” Hogue said. For more information or to get involved, contact the JAVC at president@javc.org.

By Travis Rains. Originally Published: December 23, 2021(Copy approved by “The Miner”)

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 passed in 2021.

DEODORO AGUILAR (Class of 2013)

Deodoro M. Aguilar, known as “Joe or YoYo” to many, was born on July 4, 1936 and peacefully joined our Lord on 12/11/2021.

He was preceded in death by his late wife Martha Aguilar and daughter Carmen Guzman. Joe was raised in Yuma, Arizona where he met his first love Martha, and together they raised 5 daughters: Ruth Anna Garcia, Salome Aguilar, Georgia Aguilar, Carmen Guzman, and Monica Aguilar.
Joe was a dedicated veteran and spent most of his adult life dedicating his time and service to the Arizona Boys State  and the American Legion where he held all offices including Department Commander and Executive Committee Men. He raised his family in San Manuel, Arizona where he retired from BHP Copper Mine. He met his life partner Saundra Jean Aguilar, and they were blessed to spend 18 beautiful years together.

Joe is survived by his wife, Saundra Jean Aguilar; 4 daughters, 4 stepchildren and spouses. Many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Joe was known best as “Tata Joe” to many others as he welcomed many into his heart and considered all as family. Joe had a huge heart and a contagious smile and jolly laugh. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time watching old westerns. Christmas was his favorite holiday and was able to enjoy his Christmas tree before his passing.
You will forever be in our hearts. Fly with the Angels.