Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Fellow Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame members.

You have heard me discuss the PAL for the last few months.  I am pleased to report that the PAL is now past us and it was a roaring success.  I am always concerned when we are planning a large program like this.  It has many moving parts, and a lot of volunteers must come together to produce a successful event.  Pat Little-Upah and Karen Craig shared the chairmanship of the PAL and they had a strong group of committee members.  I could go on for some time relating all the things that happened at the PAL on Friday, April 1.  However, Karen Craig has drafted an excellent article on this, and you can read it further down this newsletter.  Rather, I would share some unsolicited comments received from members and guests following the PAL.  I believe these comments do great service in relaying the success of the PAL.   Please see the following:

It was truly a pleasure to attend the AVHOFS Patriotic Luncheon. Jim Monroe and his team did an extraordinary job, ensuring no detail was overlooked. The venue was lovely, lunch was delicious, and the day ran smoothly. We were inspired by the speakers and enjoyed meeting Governor Ducey, as well as many other members of the Arizona veterans community. What we found most gratifying was listening to the accomplishments of the high school scholarship recipients. The achievements and earnestness of these young people truly bolstered our faith in the future of our country. Well done all—we’re already looking forward to next year!--Steve Kubica and Jackie Summers

Jackie Summers
JACQUELINE SUMMERS COMMUNICATIONS

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This year’s Patriotic Awards Luncheon was a huge success.  From the Governor and Bruce Crandall’s remarks, to the smiles on the students’ faces you couldn’t have asked for a better event.

Congratulations.

Gordon James
Class of 2015

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I have attended several Patriotic Award Luncheons over the years and while they were all very good, I think this one on April 1 was the best!  Everything flowed so smoothly and the presentations of the awards was very professional.  The speakers were awesome and spoke for an appropriate amount of time.  Lin Sue did a super job as MC and all of your staff worked so well together to make things happen as planned. The food was great too.  Thanks a million for all your hard work!

Dennis DeFrain
Class of 2013

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The 2022 edition of the Patriotic Awards Luncheon (PAL) continued a well established history of excellence in recognizing and honoring significant contributions to the support of our military, veterans, their families and survivors in Arizona and thereby encouraging others to actively participate.  The event was well attended, and the venue and meals provided by the Double Tree once again very nicely contributed to the enjoyment of those in attendance.  The close working relationship between the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) and the Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV)  was evident in the seamless orchestration of each organization’s awards provided to both individuals and organizations recognizing their valuable contributions to the military and veteran community.  The video acknowledgements for each recipient was once again well done and contributed significantly in highlighting their respective accomplishments.

Gary Fredricks
Class of 2010

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My wife and I thought the 15th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon held at the Double Tree Resort by Hilton in Scottsdale was a wonderful event in all respects. We thought the food and service for the luncheon was outstanding. More importantly the entire awards event was well planned and conducted, both the scholarship's portion and Cooper Awards presentations. A great deal of work goes into planning these gala affairs and therefore we wish to thank everyone involved that made this a very memorable occasion.

John Ady
Class of 2015.

Karen Craig AVHOFS Director Class of 2020

Pat Upah AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

Another Patriotic Awards Luncheon was successfully completely at the Doubletree Hilton in Scottdale on April 1, 2022.  While registrations got off to a slow start this year, we were happy to welcome over 240 attendees who enjoyed our guest speakers, award and scholarship presentations, the camaraderie of being together with friends, and a delicious lunch!

We were fortunate to once again enjoy the participation and comments given by Governor Doug Ducey, as well as the very genuine and often humorous remarks from our special guest speaker, COL (Ret) Bruce Crandall, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in November 1965 during the Battle of Ia Drang, Vietnam. 

The Unified Arizona Veterans presented their 2022 Copper Awards with the Copper Shield Award going to Senator J.D. Mesnard, and Kingman Mayor Jen Miles receiving the Copper Star Award.  The Copper Eagle Award was presented by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, to the Ability Center of Phoenix, with this year’s Copper Sword Award going to Debbie Lee of America’s Mighty Warriors.  It was certainly an honor for us to recognize all of these deserving individuals for their dedication and support of Veterans statewide.

This year’s Lamp of Knowledge scholarships were awarded to four young ladies who have demonstrated great academic achievements and who have a bright future ahead of them.  The three Veterans Heritage Project high school scholars who received $2000 scholarships are:  Kayleigh Rice of Ironwood High School; Caitlin Campos from Shadow Mountain High School, and Alyssa Wood from Notre Dame Preparatory High School.  One $5000 Veteran Scholarship was presented to Sergeant HyeJung Park, an Army Reservist and Doctoral Candidate at Arizona State University. Tom Sheets of the Southwest Veterans Foundation also presented SGT Park an additional $1000 scholarship on behalf of their organization.

We would like to thank all those who attended the luncheon, the members of our PAL Committee who spent countless hours preparing for this event, and all our partners who continue to support the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  We extend our sincere appreciation to our emcee Lin Sue Flood, Lisa Cimino for her wonderful rendition of the National Anthem, Chaplain Christopher Melvin for his blessing on us, as well as Joan Sisco who led us in the American’s Creed and Pledge of Allegiance.  A special “thank you” goes to our partners: Unified Arizona Veterans, the Veterans Heritage Project, and the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.  We would also like to thank our sponsors TriWest, Salt River Project, and Arizona Public Service.  An event like this takes a team of dedicated individuals to put it together and we were fortunate to have such a great team and such wonderful support! 

For those of you who did not make it this year, we look forward to seeing you in 2023!  If you know a deserving individual or company, please consider nominating them for next year’s Copper Eagle or Copper Sword awards; the criteria and nominations forms can be found on our website at www.avhof.org  Please feel free to contact Pat Little-Upah at patupah@gmail.com if you have any questions on the nominations process or need assistance.

Photos from the luncheon can be viewed on our photographer, Marion Cartland’s, Arizona Veterans Connection Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON.

Pat Little-Upah and Karen Craig, PAL Committee Co-Chairs

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Many of you are thoughtful and generous with your contributions to our Century Club and other programs.  However, once in a blue moon something goes wrong and our account does not receive your money.  It happened recently to one of our members and he was smart enough to contact me for assistance.  To ensure that it doesn’t happen to YOU, I’ve written some basic instructions that should be followed.

If you write out a check and mail it to our P.O. Box 2A-619, make sure WHERE you want the money to go (Century Club, Mom’s program, Vets Court program, etc.) is indicated on the line in the lower left-hand corner of the check.

If you are using your credit card, be sure to go to the Hall of Fame website and click on DONATIONS.  You will get a screen that asks for the amount of your donation.  Once the amount is filled in, click on CONTINUE and a new screen will appear.  Now you can fill in the blanks that ask for your name and address and where you want the money directed.

Remember, if you run into a problem, contact me by phone at 623-544-4477 or by email at jp7wojtas@gmail.com.  All of us have been on this earth long enough to know that mistakes occur and none of us, including yours truly, is infallible.

And of course, when mailing anything at all to our Society, PLEASE be sure to use our complete address as shown below.

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

The fruits of all of our fund-raising efforts for our Century Club came to a climax on April 1st during our annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  Thanks to members like YOU, we were able to award $11,000 in scholarships to students and veterans.  That would not have been possible without the financial support from, you, our society members.  Thanks to one and all.

Listed below are those members who have contributed since our fiscal year started on 1 July.  Our goal for the fiscal year that ends on June 30th is $10,000.  As of the end of March, members have contributed $8,496.  Listed below are those members who have contributed since 1 July 2021.

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (FY Goal is $10,000. Total to date is $8,496)

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.

In appreciation for his appearance as the featured guest speaker at the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) West Valley Chapter 131 Massing of the Colors and Day of Remembrance on February 15, 2022, Col Thomas H. Kirk, Jr USAF (Ret) was presented the MOWW Outstanding Service Medal (OSM). The medal is intended to recognize a MOWW Companion who has displayed outstanding effectiveness while leading and/or supporting MOWW’s internal and external (outreach) activities and programs. The medal presentation is accompanied by the Outreach Service Medal citation and MOWW citation folder.
Colonel Kirk’s citation reads as follows:

“Colonel Kirk is presented the Outstanding Service Award for his personal example as a fellow Companion, patriotic leader and mentor throughout and beyond his military career. Through exceptional determination, leadership, and patriotic speaking engagements, he has kept alive the memory of the dedicated service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the principles of our country. As an educator and motivational speaker of children and seniors alike, you exemplify the spirit and true meaning of American Individualism and Patriotism. It is with great pleasure that the West Valley Chapter 131 Companions present this most deserving Award.

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.

DAVID ALTHOFF (Class of 2005)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ret. Lt. Col. David Lawrence Althoff, 89, of Sun Lakes, Arizona on March 8, 2022. After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, he chose to spend his last days at home in the care of family members and Aegis Home Health & Hospice. 

Dave was born in Effingham, Illinois on May 5th, 1932, one of twelve children. When he was 16, his family moved to Chandler, Arizona. He attended Chandler High School and was on its undefeated State Championship football team as a standout player. He attended Arizona Teachers College (ASU) where he met Phyllis Jean Hinton, known as PJ. They were married in 1953 and had five children.

Due to the military circumstances of the time, Dave knew he was going to get drafted. So, he decided to enlist. He enlisted in the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet in November of 1952. After flight training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in June of 1954. He completed 20 years of active service, flying 26 different kinds of aircraft, including props, jets, single engine, multi-engine and helicopters.  In total, he flew off eight different aircraft carriers.

In 1956 Dave served nine months at the Bikini Atoll and participated in 13 nuclear blasts where he would fly around the blast measuring the levels of radiation. He told his kids that when the radiation detection badge he was wearing filled up, he would turn it in, get a new one and go back out. Dave served in Korea and Japan flying the AD Skyraider. He was one of only eight pilots qualified to deliver an atomic weapon in a single engine, single seat Skyraider. While in Japan with a top-secret clearance, he spent 13 months flying the Skyraider with an atomic bomb ten feet off the ocean towards the Russian shipyards. He did this two-to-three times a week. Fortunately for all of us, he never had to release the weapon. There was no recovery plan if he did.

Dave served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and leader, flying the CH-46. He flew 1,084 combat missions and was shot down four times but was never injured. He earned 76 medals and decorations including 3 Silver Stars, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star medal with Combat V, 54 Air Medals and others. In 1968 he was chosen as “The Marine Aviator of the Year” and received The Alfred A. Cunningham Award. He was at Khe Sahn during the Tet Offensive and the 77-day Siege where he flew 100’s of rescue missions, never losing a crew member. He is also credited with initiating the flying maneuver known as “The Super Gaggle,” which saved so many lives and aircraft.

He spent the last three years of service working at the Pentagon for the Commandant of the Marine Corps in charge of recruiting. He is responsible for two slogans that the Marine Corps still use to this day:  “The Few, The Proud, The MARINES” and “The Marines, We’re Looking for a Few Good Men.” There is an ongoing effort by some of the Marines that served with him to have one of his Silver Stars upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Lt. Col. Althoff retired from the Marines in 1972 after 20 years of service and returned to Chandler, AZ to take over his father’s real estate business. He was a real estate agent for 18 years. During that time, he also served on the boards of several community and professional organizations: President of the Mesa-Chandler-Tempe Board of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service in 1975; President of the Chandler United Way in 1975 and Realtor of the Year for Mesa-Chandler-Tempe 1976.

Dave was also very involved with health care in the local community as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chandler Regional Hospital (1976-1985). He was largely responsible for the building of the current Chandler Regional Medical Center and the Mercy Gilbert Hospital. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the East Valley Regional Healthcare System (1995-1998). He was a member of the Board of directors for Chandler Regional Medical Center (1975-2000). He was also on the board of quite a few other organizations, all serving the local community.

He was inducted into the Golden Eagles in March of 1994. The Golden Eagles are the 200 best pilots still living, only 50 of which are Marines. He was accepted as the only helicopter pilot in the group. He was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Althoff, wife PJ, son Dan, grandson Danny, sister Doris Langston, and brothers Wayne and Dennis. He is survived by his wife Karen (m. 2017), and his children Michael (Janet) Althoff, Don (Laurie) Althoff, Doug (Deb) Althoff, and Meta (Donny) Pew, and stepson, Todd (Karen) Smiley; eleven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind brothers Bob, Ken, Dick and Pat, and sisters Carol, Virginia, Teri and Phyllis.

Dave lived a life of service to his country, community and family. He worked tirelessly to serve his fellow Marines through the East Valley Marine League and had a special affinity for the Wounded Warrior Project. He had a great sense of humor and could light up a room within minutes of entering it. In conversation, he had a way of making you feel like listening to you was the most important thing he could be doing. He will be missed by all who knew him.

There will be a celebration of Dave’s life at The Praise and Worship Center in Chandler AZ on Saturday the 19th of March at noon, with a reception to follow.  It’s located at 2551 N Arizona Ave.  Those who cannot attend may watch the live Facebook stream from the Center at praiseandworshipcenter.net.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to the East Valley Marines P.O. Box 13192 Chandler, AZ 85248 would be appreciated.   Dave will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors at a date to be determined. 

KEN DOWSE (Class of 2019)
(taken from our website at www.avhof.org)

Born in Springfield, Missouri in 1940, Ken Dowse joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the US Atlantic Fleet, including the 1961 Berlin Crisis, serving aboard USS HOOD and USS SULLIVANS until 1964. Ken retired as National Account Service Manager, AT&T, in 1989. After joining American Legion John P. Burns Post 36, Tucson in 1993, Ken served as Post Commander for three terms. He established a fund to assist veterans in need, and made the Post a “Family” Post which welcomes the hardworking efforts of the Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, and Legion Riders. Ken has served as District 2 Commander, Dept Vice Commander for Area A/Southern Arizona, and Dept Commander. In the last 7 years alone, Ken Dowse has logged over 16,000 volunteer hours; 60,000 volunteer miles; and donated $12,000 to assisting veterans and young people.