Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Fellow Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society members.

Summer has arrived for us, and we spend our days in air conditioning or in the pool, assuming there is a shady spot.  The society’s activities are light for the next few months, and we will be going dark during the months of July and August.  While your Board of Directors will not be meeting during this time, we will still be engaged on anything that comes up.  Additionally, we will continue to publish the Patriot newsletter each month. 

Several of you have asked about plans for the 2022 Induction Ceremony.  The UAV continues to work on the specifics of the event, although plans are yet to be complete.  I have been told that the tentative date for the Induction will be Friday, October 14th at the Talking Stick Resort.   While that is indeed the current plans, I emphasize that this is still a work in progress.  I will certainly advise you as soon as plans are firm.

Joan and I are preparing for a trip to Michigan soon and, consequently my Notes this month are abbreviated.  I hope to have a great deal more to share with you in August.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

During my time as your Society Treasurer, I’ve been able to meet just a few of our approximately 265 members.  Each is uniquely different and special in their own right.  One such member saw that we were short of our $10,000 goal for our Century Club and that person decided to correct that shortcoming.  Someday I hope we meet so that I can express my thoughts and thank you in person.

On the first of July we begin another fiscal year, and our goal again is $10,000.  There is NO minimum for contributing to the Century Club.  Every dollar counts.  If every one of our members gave $4, we would surpass our goal!

And as I always do, I ask that all of you use our complete mailing address when sending anything to us.  We use a post office box and without the complete address, whatever you send, won’t reach us.

ARIZONA VETERANS HALL OF FAME SOCIETY
4980 S. ALMA SCHOOL ROAD
STE. A2-619
CHANDLER, AZ 85248-5545

With the start of a new fiscal year, all of our programs start afresh on 1 July; our Veterans Court program, our Maternity Outreach for Military Families and of course, our Century Club.  Listed below are those Society members who contributed during the past fiscal year which ended on June 30th.

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (FY Goal is $10,000. Total to date is $10,071)

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.

Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS Vice President Class of 2014

Nominations are being accepted for the Copper Sword and Copper Eagle Awards through October 31, 2022.   All of you in the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame have gone above and beyond to help your country and fellow veterans.  I know that each of you are also aware of individuals who did not serve in the U.S. Military but have consistently reached out to support and help our military and veterans.  The Copper Sword was created to recognize these individuals.  Likewise, we have all been aware of companies, foundations and organizations that have also helped our military and veteran communities.  The Copper Eagle was created to recognize their contributions.   We will be considering two categories for the Copper Eagle going forward; one for organizations and foundations and one for businesses and corporations. The basic criteria for the Copper Eagle Awards will remain the same for both.   You can find additional information and nomination forms on the AVHOFS website.   If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me at patupah@gmail.com  and please save the date April 28, 2023, for the next Patriotic Awards Luncheon where we will honor our recipients.  

Karen Craig AVHOFS Director Class of 2020

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, AVHOFS President James Monroe, Vice-President Pat Upah, and dozens of other UAV and Society members and Veterans, were present for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the new 32nd Street VA Clinic. The Honorable Donald Remy, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, visited the Phoenix VA Health Care System and was present at the new clinic to provide remarks and cut the ribbon.  Mr. Michael Welsh, Interim Medical Center Director, Mr. Michael Fisher, VISN 22 Network Director, and Ms. RimaAnn Nelson, the VHA Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, also provided remarks. Also in attendance were Dr. Alyshia Smith, former Phoenix VA Director, Col (Ret) Wanda Wright, Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, as well as congressional staffers and community partners.

After the ceremony, VA staff provided tours of the new 203,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. The new clinic will officially open to patients on Monday, June 27, 2022, and will serve around 50,000 Veterans, providing primary and mental health care services, along with Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, and some specialty services. Located at 400 N. 32nd Street, the clinic also has a Veteran’s Resource Center and Canteen Services.

Joining Mr. Michael Welsh, Interim Medical Center Director for the Ribbon Cutting were Deputy Secretary Donald Remy and UAV Vice-Chair Gene Crego, along with other VA leadership.

The Honorable Donald Remy, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, provides remarks at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Ms. RimaAnn Nelson, former Phoenix VA Hospital Director, was also present and provided remarks during the ceremony.

When I was young and sought a college degree, I relied heavily on scholarships.  It was then that I really understood their value.  Now that I am older, I like to give back to support college scholarship programs. One that makes a huge difference is the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame’s Century Club.  Several different scholarship awards are supported by the Century Club donations.  The Arizona Student Veteran Higher Scholarship recognizes permanent Arizona residents who are veterans, active duty, or members in the guard or reserve attending institutions of higher learning in the State of Arizona.  The Arizona Veterans Administration Scholarships are a partnership with the Veterans Administration providing scholarships to high school students who volunteer at any VA facility in Arizona.  The Veterans’ Heritage Project (VHP) Scholarships are given to high school students who participate in the VHP programs capturing the history of veterans through service clubs in over 400 schools.

The Century Club’s goal is $10,000 per year.  The scholarship awards are presented at the Society’s Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  Please help us achieve our goal to recognize exceptional veterans, patriotic citizens and young patriots.  Please consider a donation to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  Your donation is tax deductible and donors will be recognized in our monthly newsletter.  You can donate online at https://avhof.org/donate-2/.  PLEASE SPECIFY IF YOUR DONATION IS FOR THE GENERAL FUND OR CENTURY CLUB.  Your donation will make a difference in someone’s life.  You will have invested in America’s future leaders.

Judy Carroll
Class of 2014

John Black (Class of 2016), member of the Cochise County Chapter of the AVHOFS,  had the honor of carrying and posting our AVHOFS flag during the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  John is the Commander of the Sheriff’s Assist Team (Cochise County).

Major ceremony participants included Maj. Gen. Anthony Hale, C.G., US Army intelligence Center of Excellence & Fort Huachuca and Sierra Vista Mayor Rick Mueller.

Gerry Berger AVHOFS Past President Class of 2016

Terrific opportunity for many of us to again attend the Memorial Day Ceremony at our National Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ on the 30th of May 2022.   After a two year pause, the National Cemetery was able to hold this Ceremony with many, many attendees to include special guests, families, and friends.  Our Master of Ceremonies, Rick Romley (Class of 2007), noted the large number of attendees and thanked everyone for participating. The Program included Posting of the Colors, the National Anthem and Invocation along with the Parade of Colors, the Placing of Wreaths from a large group of Veteran Service Organizations.

We were especially appreciative of the Guest Speaker, Susan Kee who honored Korean War Veterans.  It has become Susan’s passion to learn their stories and make them known, so that the Korean War will no longer be forgotten. Susan started a public Facebook page where she posts stories of Korean War Veterans, fallen heroes, and the history of the Korean War to express her gratitude and to educate people about the Korean War.  Here is the link to Susan’s Facebook page Honoring Korean War Veterans:  https://www.facebook.com/susankeewriter/

Our President, Jim Monroe (Class of 2014) represented the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame at this Ceremony. Vice President, Pat Upah (Class of 2014) placed the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Wreath.

Carol Culbertson (Class of 2007) saw this poster next to Leo Thorsness’ F105G “Wild Weasel” aircraft on display at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island.  Leo Thorsness (Class of 2007) was awarded the MOH and retired as a USAF Colonel.

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 2022.

GEORGE KIRMSE (Class of 2006)

SIERRA VISTA — George R. Kirmse went to meet his Lord, Jesus Christ face to face at the age of 94 on 23 May 2022.  George was born on 29 December 1927 in New York City.  Right after High School, George joined the Navy in 1945 and served for two years as a Medical Corpsman.  Upon his discharge in 1947, George went to Fordham University where he was in Army ROTC and in 1951, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served 30 years as an Artillery and Quartermaster Officer.  His numerous assignments took him all over the world.  He was assigned in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, twice in Alaska, Iran, Germany, Texas, Washington D.C., Vietnam, and finally at Fort Huachuca, Arizona where he retired in 1981.  Overall, George had served his Country for 32 years and wanted to continue serving.  After retirement, he found ways within the greater community of Sierra Vista.  He first taught as a certified flight instructor and as an economics instructor at Cochise College.  While still an instructor at Cochise College, George served as Assistant City Magistrate and Magistrate in Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, and Tombstone.  In 1991, he was elected Justice of the Peace for Sierra Vista and retired in 2003.  George could not just retire, serving his community was in his blood, so he became a member of the hospital’s Auxiliary Board until the new hospital was built in 2015.  He also served as a member of the Forgach House building committee and was actively involved with fundraising for the Forgach House and the Catholic Community Services for Southern Arizona for 26 years.  George was also active with the Knights of Columbus, the 1200 Club, and the Military Officers Association of America.  George was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2006.  George was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Kirmse, his second wife Mitzi Kirmse, his parents, Robert and Alice Kirmse, and his brother Robert Kirmse.  He is survived by his two sons, Brian and Kevin Kirmse, a daughter-in-law, Denise Kirmse, two grandchildren, Ryan (wife Edna) and Daniel Kirmse, and one great grandson, August Kirmse.

Services for George will be held on 7 July 2022 starting at 2 PM with a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church followed by an Interment at Our Lady of the Mountain Columbarium.  A reception will follow immediately at the church.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be given to Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church.