Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Dear Society Members,

It is hard to believe that the 16th Annual Patriotic Awards Ceremony is behind us, and we are looking at number 17.  Please read Karen Craig’s article on this wonderful time of recognition and fellowship.  It takes conservatively about six months of planning, meetings and the dedication and time of our committee.  I want to recognize them, for without their support, none of this would be possible.  Our amazing Co-Chair Karen Craig who really chaired this event, Gerry Berger who coordinated the beautiful decorations, Gene Ganssle whose video’s never cease to impress and bring a tear to our eyes, Mike Milliken who coordinated seating and registration, Travis Burns who set up Eventbrite site and registration, Gordon James who got us our sponsors and his staff who helped Karen coordinate our Facebook and Instagram outreach, Christine Mahon our Scholarship Chairperson, Jerry Wojtas our Treasurer who kept us on track with budget and Pam who edited for us, Nancy Fassbender who organized escorts, Roy McClymonds our quartermaster who ordered the trophies, got us new photo back drops and managed to get everything from one place to another and set up, Joan Monroe who organized the video appointments and helped with editing, Jim Monroe who helped with just about anything and everything,  as well as Lea Seago, Tom Sheets and Shari Burns.  Without each one of these individuals giving of their time and talent we could not have done this.  We are looking for committee members for the 17th Annual PAL, so please let us know if you would be willing to serve.

Our outreach to the State Veterans Home in Phoenix continues with gratitude to Christeen Verchot who coordinates each event.  See her article on our second event that was conducted on May 3rd at the Home.  These Veterans are so appreciative of having other Veterans come in and talk with them and provide a bit of fun and normalcy in their lives. 

As Memorial Day approaches and we gather to remember and honor those who gave their lives for this Country, please join me as the AVHOFS lays a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix Az 85024.  The ceremony will begin at 8 A.M. on Monday, May 29, 2023.  The keynote speaker this year will be RJ Mitchell.  RJ is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.  He holds one of our nation’s highest honors for heroism which he earned during an insurgent attack in Fallujah, Iraq.  Please also remember on this day those who have lost loved ones, our Gold Star families and the “battle buddies” of our fallen heroes. 

As we go into May, the Society Board of Directors will be looking at many issues to include the 2024 budget, ways to expand our outreach, and how to better engage our membership.  Please email me if you have any thoughts or suggestions at patupah@gmail.com  

Karen Craig AVHOFS Director Class of 2020

Another successful event is in the books! The 16th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon was held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Doubletree Hilton in Scottdale, Arizona.  With 300 guests registered and almost that many in attendance, this was one of the largest luncheons we’ve had in several years. After the opening ceremony and lunch, the program kicked off with some very inspiring remarks from Colonel (Retired) Thomas H. Kirk, Jr., a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and former POW who survived over five and one-half years in the Hanoi Hilton. A prolific speaker; many of our guests wished that we had more time to hear his thoughts on leadership, civic responsibility, service, and his military experiences. Also, a member of the AVHOFS Class of 2020, we extend our sincere appreciation to Colonel Kirk for being our guest speaker!
This was also a big year for our Scholarship Program with a total of ten scholarships, totaling $39,500, awarded to some very deserving High School students and Veteran scholars. The Society awarded seven Lamp of Knowledge Scholarships, with three going to the following Veterans Heritage Project students: Hannah Gilbert of Ironwood Ridge High School; Evan Kobley from Notre Dame Preparatory High School; and Steven Rourick from Shadow Mountain High School. Additional Society scholarships were awarded to four Veterans: Bij’on Davis, Dawn Drake, and Karen Hernandez who are all attending Arizona State University, as well as Robert Fields attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

The Unified Arizona Veterans also selected three outstanding recipients to receive their scholarships. Their 100% Disabled Veteran Family Member scholarship went to Anna Davis from Catalina High School in Tucson; she has been accepted into Barrett, the Honors College at ASU. The UAV Veteran scholarship was awarded to Cassandra Facciponti, attending Grand Canyon University, and the last scholarship, named the Lori Piestewa Native American Veteran Scholarship, went to John Kubrock who is attending Yavapai Community College. We want to acknowledge and say “Thank you” to Christine Mahon and Jeanne Blaes, the Society and UAV Scholarship Chairs, and to their committees. We also want to thank all our members who continue to donate to the Century Club as well as our sponsors and other donors who made giving all these scholarships possible!

The other highlight of the day was the presentation of our 2023 Copper Awards. It was certainly our pleasure to recognize each of the recipients for their outstanding support of Arizona veterans. The Unified Arizona Veterans’ Copper Star Award went to Wanda Wright, former Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and their Copper Shield Award was presented to former Arizona Representative Walter Blackman. The Society presented two Copper Eagle Awards this year, one for a business which went to Mike Nye’s Instrument Repair Shop and one for an organization which was presented to the Arizona Coalition for Military Families.  Our final award was the 2023 Copper Sword Award given to Lee Huff.  Each recipient was highly deserving of these awards and their presentation at the PAL was met with great enthusiasm by our guests.

We also introduced the first two recipients of our new VA Outstanding Employee Recognition Program who were invited to the PAL as our special guests. The 2022 award recipients are Darin George, a nurse at the Phoenix VAMC and Shannon Harper, who is a Supply Management Specialist at the Northern AZ VAMC. Stay tuned for more information on this new program, info about Darin and Shannon, and photos of the formal award presentations which will be done at each medical center in the next couple of months.

As you know, we can’t put on an event like this without support from many partners and sponsors. We are fortunate to be able to count on the Unified Arizona Veterans, the Veterans Heritage Project, and the Arizona Department of Veterans Services for that support. We also appreciate the sponsorships we received from TriWest, SRP, USAA, Southwest Veterans Foundation, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona, APS, Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Arizona, Sonoran Technologies, and the Timothy Day Foundation, among others.

We also want to thank all the Society members who attended the luncheon – it was nice to see so many of you there. If you have any specific feedback on the PAL that you want to share, please email your comments to Karen at kcraig1955@cox.net before May 24th which is when we will conduct our After-Action Review.  And, again, we want to give a special “thank you” to the members of our PAL Committee who spent countless hours preparing for this event – it’s such a pleasure to work with and lead this team of professionals!  

For those of you who didn’t make it to the PAL this year, we look forward to seeing you in 2024!  If you know a deserving individual or company, please consider nominating them for next year’s AVHOFS Copper Sword or Copper Eagle awards; the criteria and nominations forms can be found on our website at www.avhof.org.

Photos from the Patriotic Awards Luncheon are posted on the AVHOFS website as will be posted on the Society Facebook and Instagram pages. 

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

Reggie Yates Director / Past Chair/2023 Event Chair Class of 2013

Fellow Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) members.  On behalf of the Board of Directors Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV), Gene Crego Chair, thanks you for your support of the Class of 2023, Hall of Fame (HOF) Nomination process.  Since closing nominations on March 31st, the UAV Screening Panel has reviewed and forwarded forty- four (44) nomination packets to the Selection Committee (SC) in accordance with UAV operating instructions.  The SC consists of thirteen (13) female and male veterans who were former enlisted and commissioned from most of the uniformed services and includes members from ADVS and the veteran community.  SC members serve two, or three-year rotating terms. Eight (8) AVHOFS members are participants on the 2023 Hall of Fame Selection Committee.  Scoring is conducted independently, on a six (6) point system and all information pertaining to that process is held confidentially.  The goal of the SC is to identify up to twenty —four (24) of the best qualified nominations and recommend the group to the UAV Board of Directors for further action.  We are pleased to note that a considerable number of the nominations were submitted by AVHOFS members.  The UAV expects to induct up to twenty- four (24) members into the Class of 2023.  In the next few weeks UAV will coordinate with ADVS for transmittal to the Governor's office, the recommended Class of 2023 list after national agency background checks have been completed.  This part of the process could take up to two months to run its course.  UAV will provide status notification (select and non-select) to nominators INITIALLY before the approved list becomes available to the public.

Meanwhile, UAV implores each of you to make a special effort to support and more importantly to participate in the RECEPTION and INDUCTION CEREMONY honoring the Class of 2023, which is set for ("SAVE THE DATE") FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2023 at the TALKING STICK RESORT CONFERENCE CENTER, located at 9800 EAST TALKING STICK WAY (INDIAN BEND ROAD) in Scottsdale.  Beginning at 8:0O AM, THE RECEPTION is the prime opportunity to meet and welcome the NEW CLASS and support persons over continental breakfast as they receive member pins and decorations from the AVHOFS Vice-President and elected officials.  This too, is the perfect time to invite inductees to consider participation in ongoing AVHOFS programs and initiatives.  I can tell you that this event is worth rising early to attend!!  The INDUCTION LUNCHEON (reservations required) and PROGRAM will begin promptly at 11:30 AM and usually is concluded by 2:30 PM.  The 2022 event, jointly hosted by the UAV and AVHOFS was open to the public and attracted over five hundred guests.  Beginning in July (date TBA), you will be able to secure your registration (@ $60.00-$70.00 each) online or by mail when accessing the UAV website www.azuav.org, or by selecting "Events" on the AVHOFS website.  Please make plans to be a part of this unique and momentous celebration!

For The Board of Directors:

Reggie Yates AVHOF Class of 2013 E: ryates173abn@gmail.com; M: 602.373.0703
Director / Past Chair/2023 Event Chair
Unified Arizona Veterans

The second State Home Outreach Initiative event was held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 2-4pm at the Phoenix Arizona State Veteran Home.  We were able to mingle with the State Home residents, enjoying pizza and a spirit of comradery.  Many attendees took this opportunity to share their own military experiences.

Participant evaluations collected at the end of the event overwhelmingly indicated satisfaction and a desire/interest for more such future events. Special thanks to Tom Kirk for helping out. His presence meant a lot to the Veterans and staff. 
Next  Event: August Bingo/Donut. Time and date to be determined. 

Christeen Verchot, Class of 2021

The Sierra Vista event began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the playing of the National Anthems of both South Vietnam and the United States, and an Invocation.  Then Bill Beecher (Class of 2022), the President of Chapter #1093 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, made opening remarks.  Then Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa II read a proclamation declaring the day “NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY” in Sierra Vista.  Beecher and McCaa laid a wreath at the Veterans Memorial in the park.  Beecher made further remarks.  VVA Chaplain Allison Cornell said a final prayer.  And the ceremony concluded.  Rick Mueller, former mayor was also in attendance.

Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam, and more than 9 million served on active duty, whether in Vietnam or elsewhere, during the war.  During the war, more than 58,000 servicemen and women died, and at least twice that number were severely disabled.  More than 11,000 of those who died in Vietnam were still teenagers, and the average age of those who died was 23.

Vietnam War veterans were seldom welcomed back from the war as heroes, but nearly all of them integrated smoothly back into US society, and many of them became our nation’s leaders.  Today we thank our Vietnam War veterans.

I wanted to share videos of our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event which was held on March 25, 2023 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, AZ.

We started out on March 24th with an escort by the Phoenix Metro Traffic.  They escorted the Arizona Vietnam War Memorial and the Wreaths Across America Educational trailer from Happy Valley to Mountain View Cemetery.  What an experience that was!  I even got to run the siren in the lead police car!  We even went thru Apache Junction with the Apache Junction police escorting us thru their city.  What a turnout we had!

Upon arriving at Mountain View, we were greeted by people waving the American Flags.

On March 25th, we could not ask for better weather.  We had approximately 1800 people who came out to join thanking the Vietnam Veterans as well as the Veterans themselves talking to each other about their experiences. 

The 70 educational and informational booths we had there were ready to help any veteran who had a question.  I have had nothing but fantastic reviews about this event.  JJ Beauty Instituted volunteered their students to give free haircuts!  They were quite busy!  I have attached a picture which gave me a chuckle.  Of course, he was there for a free beard trim.  LOL

Please enjoy these two videos.  We hired a professional videographer (Gene Ganssle) who we use for the AZ Veterans Hall of Fame banquets and the PAL awards. Gene did not disappoint me!  What a great person to work with!

Some of you were able to attend, and thank you for coming out, when you watch the video, you might even see yourself! 

There were many who were unaware that we have the 50th Anniversary Challenge Coins for sale.  They are $10 each and they are beautiful!

If you would like one, please let me know as I have plenty left over and we need to sell them!  So, if any of your friends or family members would like one.  They can be picked up or we also can ship at your cost.

The monies from the coin sales will be going to four different organizations.  1. Operation Shockwave, 2. DAV #8, 3. Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2560 and 4. AJHS Navy JROTC.

If anyone has any pictures or videos of this event, please send them to me.

Here are the feeds for the Videos:
March 25, 2023
Videos:
Part 1: Has Channel 10 newsfeeds and after that will have part of the ceremony.  
https://vimeo.com/814053470/f3b4966fa0
Part 2:
https://vimeo.com/815401798/debd71d445

Thank you again for your support in this honorable event!

Nancy Fassbender, Veteran & Board Member
2020 Inductee of Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
Honorary Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2560
Honorary Member of the American ex-POWs East Valley Chapter
2022 AJ Chamber of Commerce Community Cup Recipient
520-280-4715

Author of “My Fallen Hero”

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

The month of April was consumed by our Society members working to make our Patriotic Awards Luncheon a big success.  Those of you who attended the luncheon know they accomplished their mission.  The Timothy Day Foundation contributed another sizeable amount so that our Century Club goal was reached.  In fact, we now stand at $11,000 contributed to date.  Thank you so much!  Of course, our campaign has another two months to run.  We may have a new target for next year! 

This year we awarded $24,500 in scholarships!  That figure far surpasses anything we have awarded in the past.  But we were getting the message from many of you that some people won’t apply if the amount is too small.  We listened to you and sure enough, you were right!

And here is the COMPLETE mailing address that should be used whenever you mail anything to our Society.  If you don’t use the STE. A2-619, which is our P.O. Box, we won’t get your mailing! 

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 $11,000)

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

Roy McClymonds AVHOFS Quartermaster Class of 2017

e Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) maintains a Country Store for members who want or need items that are AVHOFS specific.  This year the spring country store opened 1 February through 15 March.  The reason for this change is I will not be available 1 May through 15 July and I would like to take care of our member’s requirements.  The Country Store is NOW CLOSED.  We try to open the fall country store shortly before the Induction ceremony.  That way new members can order items that hopefully can be worn shortly after their induction.

The country store catalog can be found on The AVHOFS website.  If you have problems finding what you want, feel free to contact me at (480) 694-2425 or my email at ramnpt@cox.net.

For our members who are active on social media, please note that we’re now on Instagram in addition to the Society Facebook page that we’ve had for several years.  Please find us and keep up with all our activities!!   @AVHOFS

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.

Carl (Duke) Schneider (Class of 2009)

Born in Ralls, Texas in 1928. Enlisted in the Army Air Force. Completed Air Force Aviation Cadet Pilot training, Fighter pilot. Served in Germany, Okinawa, Japan, Korea (100 combat missions), DFC and 6 Air Medals, Vietnam (VNAF combat missions), and stateside. Command Pilot, Major General, Retired, 32 years of service. Flew 5000 hours in jet fighters. Helped establish Phoenix Children’s Hospital; Founding Board Member, Joe Foss Institute with mission to educate children about the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Founder, Adopt-A-Vet Program. Helped many veterans find jobs. Active member, Military Officers Association of America, Quiet Birdmen, Daedalians, and Arizona Aviation Historical Society. Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, 2009 Inductee. ASU College of Business Hall of Fame, 1977 Inductee. B.S., ASU 1964 and M.S. George Washington University.