Jim Monroe AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Fellow Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society members.

I hope this finds each of you safe, healthy and doing well as we work through the Arizona Summer.  A summer that has been comparatively mild this year.

Let me begin by sharing a concern that some members have brought to my attention.  It has been noted that several members may be wearing their AVHOF Medallion at times and at events that are not appropriate.  The Society has established Protocols which clearly specify where and when the Medallion may be worn.  This protocol also defines where other Society Apparel may be worn.  If you are not clear on the Guidelines for this, please refer to the Protocol Chart below.

In July’s Newsletter I notified you of the Board of Directors openings for the 2023 year.  I repeat this for your information as follows:

Officers and Directors for 2023 – 2024:

Christine Mahon is chairing the Nomination Committee for new Board of Directors officers and directors to be nominated and elected in January 2023.  All seats on the BOD are for two years.  Directors leaving the BOD after their two-year term at the end of 2022 are Kathleen Laurier, Christine Mahon and Tom Sheets.  Directors who took office in January 2022 and will remain in their seats through 2023 are Karen Craig, Peter Kloeber and Roy McClymonds.  Officers completing their two-year terms in December are President Jim Monroe, Vice President Pat Little-Upah and Secretary Nancy Fassbender.  Treasurer Jerry Wojtas was installed in 2022 and he will remain in office until December 2023.  Considering this situation, the following seats will be open for nominations:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Director (Three seats)

The Nominating Committee will offer a slate of Officers and Directors for consideration in November.  Additional nominations may be made until elections are held at the Annual Membership Meeting in January.  In addition to these elected positions, we are aggressively seeking a Treasurer (Jerry Wojtas would remain as an Assistant Treasurer) and a Chaplain.  The specifics of each office can be found in the Society Website > Guiding Documents > Bylaws. 
Please give thought to these available positions.  The Society is entering a time in which a number of new opportunities are surfacing; it is a time we can make a significant difference.  
Contacts:  Christine Mahon:  480-706-0120   /  retcol27@cox.net
Jim Monroe:  480-363-0044   /  monroe.avhofs@gmail.com
Pat Little-Upah:  480-226-4454   /  patupah@gmail.com

2022 AVHOF Class Induction:
We have all been anxiously awaiting news on the 2022 Inductees to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.  A list of fourteen nominees was approved by the Governor and delivered to Lea Seago on August 17th.  Following is the alphabetized list of Inductees along with their nominator:

The 2022 Induction Ceremony will be held on October 14th at The Talking Stick Resort located at 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale - 85256.  The day will begin with a Reception for all inductees and AVHOFS members.  Registration opens at 7:00a.m. with the Reception beginning at 8:00a.m.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet the 2022 Class, as well as connect with your fellow society members.  The Induction Ceremony begins with a Social Hour at 10:30a.m.  The Ceremony proceedings are called to order at 11:30; I will be emailing you a detailed agenda for this unique event as soon as it is finalized. 

Registration is now open online at Eventbrite.  You may connect directly to registration at online.  Should you wish to stay overnight at The Talking Stick Resort, a special room rate of $119 per night plus resort fees of $25 is being offered for the nights of October 13, 14 and 15.  To reserve hotel rooms, call (between the hours of 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. only) 480-850-7777 and refer to Booking ID #22551 or reference Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV).   Additional information on the Reception and Induction Ceremony is available on the UAV website:  azuav.org.

Please plan to join me and your fellow Society members as we celebrate and welcome the 2022 class. 

Pat Upah AVHOFS Director Class of 2014

We have all heard the phrase “pay it forward”.  Each of us in the Society was nominated because someone thought we deserved to receive this honor and award.  They took time out of their busy lives to nominate us.  Each of us along this journey has been helped and assisted by numerous individuals, organizations and businesses.  Now it is time to recognize them with a Copper Sword or Copper Eagle nomination.  Thanks to Jim and Joan Monroe, the forms have been updated and are easier to use. 

The Copper Sword, our highest award, goes to a non-veteran individual who has gone above and beyond to consistently help and support our military and veterans.  There will be two Copper Eagle awards given this year: one for organizations and foundations that assist Veterans and one for a private business.  Go to the Society website to find the criteria and nomination forms.  If you need assistance, please email me at patupah@gmail.com.  Nominations are open until Oct 31, 2022.  It is time to “pay it forward”. 

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

The year is underway with many of our programs growing and making a nice contribution to the veteran community.  All Society members should be very proud of the success we are enjoying with these programs.

Our Century Club contributions continue to come in and with $626 being donated through the middle of August, we stand at $1,826 for the fiscal year.  If we average $900 per month, we will reach our $10,000 goal for the year.  Below is the listing of those members and others who have contributed since 1 July.

And don’t forget to use the following complete mailing address whenever you mail anything to our society.

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

Listed below are those members who have contributed to our Century Club since July 1.

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (FY Goal is $10,000. Total to date is $1,826)

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.

CSM Karen Craig was honored for her accomplishments and dedication as the outgoing President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) at their National Convention.  The award, called the Robert Spencer President's Award, was presented by CMSgt (Ret) John Harris, the Immediate Past President of EANGUS.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, Karen is always available to help with projects.  She served as the co-chair of the Patriotic Awards Luncheon in 2022 and is doing this again for 2023.  Karen is a solution oriented individual.  Karen was inducted into the AVHOF Class of 2020. 

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.