Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Dear Society Members,

It has been a very busy month as we prepare for the Patriotic Awards Luncheon (PAL) and a number of other upcoming events throughout our state.  At our Board Meeting in February, we swore in Denny Bash as our newest board member.  Denny is already busy helping Jerry with the Treasurer job. 

We are honored that the Military Order of the Purple Heart has asked us to present the annual five thousand dollar Robert J. Puskar Veterans Scholarship award to a deserving veteran at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  Robert J. Puskar  served in the US Marine Corp and was with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam.  He fought gallantly during the siege of Khe Sanh and also Dong Ha.  He is the recipient of the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.  He was an active member of the Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  He also held many local and national positions.  If you know a student Veteran please encourage them to apply for a scholarship. 

Many of you attended the celebration for Wanda Wright recognizing her many years of service and accomplishments while the Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.  The AVHOFS presented her with a certificate of appreciation.  She has been a strong advocate for the Society and all Veterans.  She will be the recipient of the Copper Star award this year at the PAL.

We had a telephone and in-person meeting with the incoming Director of ADVS, Dana Allmond.  Her biography is included in this newsletter.  She is committed to partnering with the community to ensure our veterans and their families get the care and benefits they so rightly deserve.  We look forward to working with her. 

One of the Society goals for this upcoming year is to make the community aware of who we are and what we are doing.  Exposure is a big part of that.  We will have a table with Unified Arizona Veterans at the 50th Anniversary  Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event.  This event takes place on Saturday March 25th from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. at Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, Az 85207.  If you are planning to attend and could help out at our table even for an hour, we would appreciate it.  Please email me if you are able to volunteer at our table patupah@gmail.com.
One of our main supporting activities is the Veterans Courts.  Please see the update we received from Judge Donald Watts in this newsletter.  The Veterans Courts are amazing and make a big difference to so many veterans who receive the help they need instead of just being incarcerated. 

We also work closely with The Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) giving scholarships to some of the students in that program at the annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  VHP has given us the opportunity to share in some revenue that would go into our scholarship fund by volunteering to help them at the Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival March 17-19.  We need to fill seven slots a day.  We need a few more volunteers to achieve this goal.  Come volunteer for a four-hour shift and then participate in the festival for free.  When you sign up on the link below in the comment section put AVHOFS.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084DA8A628A2FF2-volunteer2

We would like more of our members to become actively involved in the work of the society.  Wearing your pin or medallions as appropriate so when people ask “what is that for?”  A perfect opportunity for you to share some of the things the society does.  We support the Veterans Courts, The Maternity Outreach to Military Families through Veterans First, events at the State Home and recognition of employees at the VA Medical Centers. Our flags for families program in remembrance of members who have passed. An encased Arizona flag is presented to the family.  They are gone, not forgotten and their Honor remains.  At the Patriotic Awards Luncheon we recognize those non-veterans, organizations and businesses who have made a difference to our military and our veterans.  We give out a number of scholarships to support our veterans trying to better themselves through higher education and to students working to capture our veterans stories through the Veterans Heritage Project.  Not only do we need your support through volunteering but also your thoughts and ideas.  How do we expand our programs to include more outreach in Southern and Northern Arizona?  I know you were inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society because you are a doer.  I have always believed that when you joined the military you joined for life even after you were discharged.  I thank you for all you have done and all you are doing for our veterans, your community and the Society.

Karen Craig AVHOFS Director Class of 2020

Registration is now open for this year’s Patriotic Awards Luncheon which will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the Doubletree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, AZ.  This is one of our premier events and the AVHOFS is proud to recognize the following outstanding private institutions and non-military individuals who have contributed significantly to the Veteran Community in Arizona:

2023 Honorees:
Copper Star Award (UAV) – Wanda Wright, Former Director ADVS
Copper Shield Award (UAV) – Former Arizona Representative Walter Blackman
Copper Eagle Award (AVHOFS) – Arizona Coalition for Military Families (Organization Awardee) and  Mike Nye Instrument Repair Shop (Business Awardee)
Copper Sword Award (AVHOFS) – Lee Huff, Veteran Advocate

During this year’s luncheon, we will also award several scholarships to Veteran Heritage Project students and Veteran scholars, and look forward to hearing remarks from the new Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, LTC (Ret) Dana Allmond, as well as our distinguished Keynote Speaker, USAF Col (Ret) Thomas H. Kirk, Jr.
We encourage our AVHOFS members to go to the Eventbrite website and purchase your tickets online, or you can download, print, and fill out the registration form and mail it to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society office with your payment.  Early Bird discount pricing for our members and a guest is only $40 per person.  Don’t delay – book your tickets today using the link below! – Early Bird pricing ends on April 3rd.

Please use the following links to access all the details about the 16th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon:

PAL EventBrite site.

PAL Registration Form (fillable and printable).

Doubletree Hotel Lodging Link

PAL Sponsorship Benefits & Info

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Pat Little-Upah, President and PAL Co-Chair, patupah@gmail.com
Karen Craig, Vice-President and PAL Co-Chair, kcraig1955@cox.net

Christine Mahon AVHOFS Secretary Class of 2017

To provide additional time for interested Veterans to submit their applications, the AVHOFS Scholarship Committee has EXTENDED THE DEADLINE TO APPLY!  Applications must be submitted by email, or postmarked NLT midnight, Sunday, March 12th.

Please note that this is an "unrestricted scholarship" meaning that the recipient can use the funds for anything they need (books, computer, rent, transportation, etc.) while they are enrolled and pursuing a higher education.  Based on contributions received, the AVHOFS expects we will be able to award at least two, $5000 scholarships this year.  Please share this message with other Veterans groups or eligible Arizona military members and Veterans.  See flyer below for more information and go to the AVHOFS website for eligibility and application requirements.   Questions can be referred to Christine Mahon, Scholarship Chair at scholarships@avhof.org.

Judge Donald Watts Class of 2019

I am thrilled to share that after years of hard work, the Maricopa County Justice Courts now has four, yes FOUR Regional VTC’s.  My personal thanks to Judge Welty who has supported my program since I first met with him years ago and formed the first VTC for MCJC. 

Please find below the new court names, the judge assigned and the JC’s that will refer cases into that court:

Maricopa County Justice Court Northwest Veterans Treatment Court. Judge Donald Watts
Manistee, Arrowhead, North Valley, Maryvale, White Tank, Agua Fria, Country Meadows, and Hassayampa Justice Courts
Maricopa County Justice Court Northeast Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Michele Regan
McDowell Mountain, Dreamy Draw, Moon Valley, Desert Ridge, and University Lakes Justice Courts
Maricopa County Justice Court Central Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Ken Cheuvront
West McDowell, South Mountain, Downtown, Kyrene, Encanto, Arcadia Biltmore, and Ironwood Justice Courts
Maricopa County Justice Court Southeast Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Jordan Ray
Highland, West Mesa, East Mesa, North Mesa, San Tan, and San Marcos Justice Courts.

These courts will begin accepting cases March 1, 2023. Cases that are already assigned to Northwest will remain in Northwest for disposition.

Additionally, I have been appointed as the Chair for the newly formed Specialty Court Committee for MCJC which VTC will fall under.  My responsibilities will include forming other specialty courts (more to come on that) and the training of staff and mentoring the judges for each of the new courts including VTC.

This is the first time in the history of MCJC that so many stakeholders have come together for the goal of helping our country’s Veterans in MCJC.  Thank you so much for your help and guidance in making this a reality.  

Additionally, MCJC has agreed to act as the administrator for certain grants for MCJC VTC. 

Lastly, to help with private money, I have almost completed a nonprofit for Veterans called VetSix.  The motto for VetSix is We have the back of all Veterans.  This is completely separate from MCJC and will allow benefits for veterans that are not covered at the VA.  My personal thanks to Snell and Wilmer for their assistance in forming VetSix.  It should be noted that VetSix will help all of the courts in MCJC.  In addition to helping vets with their legal issues, the goal of VetSix will be to provide a seamless contact with hundreds of organizations providing benefits to Vets throughout the State of AZ.     
  
Donald Watts
Class of 2019

Dana Allmond is a mother, veteran, retired Army lieutenant colonel, dynamic change agent, and champion for our communities. She is a 1994 United States Military Academy graduate who holds dear the West Point Cadet Honor Code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do,” the West Point motto: “Duty, Honor, Country,” and the seven Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. As a strong veteran advocate, she is the Chair of the Southern Arizona Veterans Mental Health Advocacy Council and member of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Veteran and Family Advisory Council.

In 1989, Dana enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as an administrative specialist at the Oakland Military Entrance Processing Station. In May 1990, she graduated from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. On May 28, 1994, she earned a BS degree in individual psychology from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Her graduate degrees include MS, counseling and leader development from Long Island University, New York in 2002 and MBA from Arizona State University in 2019.
At her commissioning, Dana proudly took an oath to support and defend the U.S. constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. She lives by that oath every day. With more than 23 years of active duty service, Dana had a myriad of assignments at the tactical to strategic levels. She served and protected the life, limb, health, and welfare of tens of thousands of Department of Defense civilians, military members, and military candidates of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

From 2002 to 2004, then a captain, Dana was a tactical officer (counselor/leader developer) and company commander who provided daily counseling and leader development for a unit of over 120 West Point cadets. She inspired them to become leaders of character with the emphasis on values, discipline, and a strong sense of duty and responsibility. The Army recognized her extraordinary potential and promoted her to major one year before her peer year group.

As a major, for 12 months, 2009-2010, Dana served in a combat zone as the joint human resources (HR) director of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines for Special Operations Command Pacific. In Zamboanga, Philippines, with only a six-person team, she advised the task force commander on all HR matters. She reduced the impacts of the 40% quarterly personnel turnover rate. She expanded and enhanced HR planning for and supervision of reception, replacement, return to duty, rest and recuperation, and return to home installation operations.

As a Lt. Colonel, Dana was a chief executive officer and battalion commander, 2011-2013. She simultaneously commanded the 11th Battalion and St. Louis Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). She served with distinction and led Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and Department of Defense civilian personnel in six MEPS (St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Shreveport, and New Orleans). She supervised service component standards screening processes, medical evaluation, administrative processing, enlisting, and shipping of military candidates for the Armed Forces covering eight states. She supervised shipment of recruits to 9 initial entry training centers across the U.S. while managing a $32 million annual budget.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

I’m happy to find out that many, many members of our Society read this material. During the past few months, they have caught errors that I have made. I hate to admit it, but it’s true. Please keep up the good work.

January was a good month for members donating to our Century Club. We needed a good month because we were slightly behind our goal of $10,000 for the fiscal year. For those of you who have not donated, please give some serious thought to being a contributor to our scholarship giving.

Oh, and by the way, in our Patriot Awards luncheon program which comes out Friday, April 28th, there will be a listing of all Century Club contributors from 1 July to present. We have been doing this for a number of years. And below you’ll find a similar listing, but this time color coded.

And here is the COMPLETE mailing address that should be used whenever you mail anything to our Society. Below that are the members who have contributed since 1 July.

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

CENTURY CLUB DONATIONS (FY 2022-2023 Goal is $10,000.  Total to date is $8.147)

Listed below are those who have contributed so far fiscal year 2022-2023

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

1. Items needed by our fellow Veterans residing in the Phoenix Arizona State Home:
• art supplies: paint, brushes, canvas, tie dye
• Male: shorts: (M-5XL)
• Male: sweatpants: (M-5XL)
• Male: white, v-neck, pocket t-shirts (L-2XL)
• Male: t shirts (M-5XL)
• Female: Spa day supplies- facial masks, nail polish, lotions
• Gift-cards: Harkins, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Restaurants, DD’s, Starbucks
• Soda: diet, regular
• Ice cream

Not accepted:
Sox, underwear, shoes, used clothing, books, movies, blankets, hygiene items

Items can be dropped off:
Arizona State Veteran Home Reception Desk 
4141 N S. Herrera Way,  Phoenix, AZ 85012
or
Veterans First Ltd Office (by appointment)
8433 North Black Canyon Hwy
Suite 164
Phoenix AZ 85021

2. Upcoming Events:

   Plans are in the works to sponsor a Pizza/Bingo event  the first week in May. More to follow!  Looking for ideas to sponsor an outing in late August for the Residents. Please send any suggestions or ideas as you may have to :
   Christeen Verchot- Email: Cverchot@veteransfirstltd.org, C (315)272-9221.

Christeen Verchot
Class of 2021

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 Pat Little-Upah at patupah@gmail.com.

Known members that have passed in the past twelve months.

Donald “Gene” Manring
Class of 2008
Sierra Vista Herald

Gene Manring passed away peacefully on February 2nd, 2023 at his home in Sierra Vista with his wife by his side. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on July 3rd, 1932. His parents, George Elza Manring and Wannetta Eades are both deceased.

Gene is survived by his wife Helen Manring, who he married in 1954, and was the beginning of their worldwide adventure in the Army. They have 7 children: Alan (Amanda), Dale (Karen), Glenn (Anita), Mark (Lisa), Gary (Dani), Brenda (deceased) and Doug (Janet). His grandchildren are Melanie Fulkerson, Brian (deceased), Jeffery, Andrew, David, Paul, Tanya (Cuadra), Brook, Mark, Scott, Rachel, Liam and numerous great grandchildren.

Gene received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with orders to Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma for Artillery School. Early in his career, he served a tour in Korea and then Vietnam with the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. Gene's training after Vietnam led to assignment as a Nuclear Weapons Officer and was assigned to USAREUR Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany serving in the Inspector General’s office as an inspector for NATO Nuclear Weapons forces. Gene’s distinguished career led to a Troop Command assignment at HQ Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Arizona where he retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel. A few of his accommodations include the Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Stars, Gallantry Medal w/ Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm.

Upon retirement from the Army, Gene embarked on a mission to serve his community to make it a better place than when he joined it. After traveling the world, Sierra Vista became home to the Manring Family.

Gene immersed himself into the community and immediately got involved in everything from the Chamber of Commerce (Executive Director) to Rotary (President) and the Huachucans (Charter Member & President). Some of the Boards he served on included President Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation Board (14-years), Chairman/Member Cochise County Board of Supervisors, Member and Chairman of the Cochise College Governing Board (8-years), President and Member Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Board (20-years), Chairman Cochise County Foster Care Review Board and Co-Founder, with his wife Helen, of the Festival of Trees.

He humbly received the Sierra Vista Mayor's 2006 Community Service Award for his many years of volunteer work. Community Service was near and dear to his heart and this award was very special for Gene. Additionally, he was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2008 for his involvement in community service.

Gene enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling the world and Golfing whenever he could with friends. Most people live life with either a cup half full or half empty. Gene’s cup was always brimming over with a positive attitude. He believed all people were good and their actions were well intended.

Gene was not only a great father and mentor to his children, he was their baseball coach, basketball coach, architect for the designs and super-fast Soap Box Derby and Pinewood Derby cars and the inspiration for his kids participating in archery, football, baseball, basketball, track and field, wrestling, cross country running, golf, racquetball, BMX bike racing, and cub scouts. He always cared about making wonderful memories for his family.

His military services will be March 15th, 2023 at 10:00am at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, with private family interment to follow. After cemetery services a reception will be held at Pueblo del Sol Country Club. Everyone is welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make donations, please donate to the charity of your choice.