Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

We all make choices in life some we may regret others turn out to be unexpected blessings.  A few weeks ago, Nancy Fassbender had asked if I wanted to go to the Vietnam War Veterans Day event in Washington D.C. with an organization that would pay all expenses.  All I needed to do was watch the ceremony.   I would have loved to have gone to the “Wall” again but had already committed to being the speaker for the City of Scottsdale’s event that day.   The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29th of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.  On this date the last troops pulled out of Vietnam in 1973.  This is a day across the country to recognize and welcome home those who served during Vietnam.

As I drove to Scottsdale, I lamented my choice and thought “I wish I were in D.C.”   I obsessed over would the remarks I give be appropriate.  Would anyone even show up?  I was surprised when I arrived and about 200 people were there mostly Vietnam Veterans.  Hall of Fame members David Lucier and Chuck Byers were there to stand by the cars from the 50’s and 60’s and share their stories with people.  I was surprised to learn that I would be the only formal speaker.   As I began my talk and looked out over the audience, I saw men and a few women with tears in their eyes as they remembered with me.  Afterward Veterans lined up to share stories with me.  Two Veterans gave me big hugs and said they had never had anyone welcome them home before.  This day would turn out to be one of the most memorable of my life.  We all make choices.  I am so glad that I decided to keep my commitment to speak in Scottsdale.  I also know that Nancy and the Veterans that she took to Washington had an amazing time.  See her article on that event.  To all our members who served in Vietnam or supported those who did I say, “Thank you for your sacrifices and Welcome Home.”

I would like to remind everyone that the Patriotic Awards Luncheon is fast approaching, and we expect to be sold out shortly.  Please get your tickets now.  If this has been a challenging time and you need help with purchasing a ticket, please reach out to me, we have some of our sponsors who have given us back some seats they purchased so a Veteran who might not otherwise be financially able to attend can do so.

At the Patriotic Awards Luncheon this year we will be making a very special presentation from the Society to The Friends of Fisher House Phoenix.  The Phoenix VAMC is one of the largest and fastest growing in the country.  They are doing more and more complex procedures requiring longer lengths of stay.  Veterans are traveling from all over Arizona and possibly from outside of the State.  Their families need a secure supportive environment to stay in while their loved one is in the hospital.  That is what a Fisher House does for free.  No longer will families have to pay for expensive hotels.  The Fisher House will be located in close proximity to the hospital.  As an organization, the Board felt that this was one of those causes that would benefit Veterans and their families across this State for many many years to come.  We are very selective about these types of gifts but felt since we have the resources what better way to help ensure that our Veterans and their families get the support they need during what is often one of the most stressful times in their lives.  We had only to look at the difference the Fisher House at the Southern VAMC in Tucson has made for families there to know this was the right choice.

The Society has been very blessed to have Jerry Wojtas as our Treasurer.  Jerry will be leaving that position in July and we are looking for someone with a financial background who is willing to step into that position or who is willing to work with our assistant Treasurer Paul Smiley taking over some of the day-to-day activity that the Treasurer oversees.  The Society is very blessed to be financially stable thanks to the contributions from all of you.  We have also been fortunate to receive some legacy gifts which will allow us to maintain that viability and continue the work that we do.  You will be hearing more about this as we move forward. 

The Patriotic Awards Luncheon is now just weeks away and we hope that you’ve purchased your tickets for one of the Society’s premier events.  As you know, this year’s event is being held on Friday, April 19th at a new location – the Doubletree by Hilton, Phoenix-Mesa, conveniently located at 1011 W. Holmes Avenue, in Mesa, just north of the US 60, at the Alma School exit. This location has ample parking, a beautiful lobby, and plenty of space for our event in the Red Mountain Ballroom.

Each year, we honor several excellent private institutions and non-military individuals who have contributed significantly to the veteran community in Arizona. This year is no different as we will be recognizing the following Copper Award recipients:

2024 Honorees:
Copper Star Award (UAV) – Abe McCann, City of Tempe
Copper Shield Award (UAV) – Arizona Representative Stacey Travers
Copper Eagle Award (AVHOF) – TriWest Healthcare Alliance (Business Awardee) and
Military Assistance Mission (Organization Awardee)
Copper Sword Award (AVHOF) – Kelly Mills, Veteran Advocate

The Society will also recognize two outstanding VA employees during the luncheon. Through our Outstanding VA Employee Recognition program, several Society board members reviewed the twelve Employee of the Month packets for employees at the Phoenix and Northern Arizona VA Medical Centers and selected one employee from each facility who we felt best demonstrated strong support and advocacy for veterans in their work. This year’s honorees are Amanda McCauley a physical therapist at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, and Maximo Flores, an Environmental Service Technician at the Phoenix VA. The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System did not participate again this year.

We are happy to welcome USMC Sergeant Robert J. Mitchell as our keynote speaker. Sergeant Mitchell received the Navy Cross, the second highest combat award given to USMC/Navy personnel, after the Medal of Honor. R.J. was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on November 13, 2004, when he courageously attacked an enemy strongpoint to rescue five wounded Marines trapped inside the house, at what would later be called the “Hell House.”  We look forward to hearing from him about his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Additionally, we are excited to let you know that the Society received a total of 18 veteran application packets for our Scholarship Program which provided us the opportunity to review and select four really outstanding veteran scholars. One of these Veteran scholarships is made possible by the very generous legacy gift left to the Society by the late LTC (Ret) Ed McDowell and his wife Diane. This year’s McDowell Scholarship recipient will receive $7,500. For the second year, we will once again award the Robert J. Puskar Veteran Scholarship in partnership with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Arizona who provides $5,000 annually. The Society will award two additional $5,000 scholarships to selected veterans. We are also increasing the amount of funds awarded this year to the three Veterans Heritage Project scholarships recipients to $2,500 each. The Unified Arizona Veterans is awarding another three $5,000 scholarships via their own scholarship program. Altogether, over $45,000 in scholarships will be awarded during the 17th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon.

REMINDER: Early Bird discount pricing ended on March 31st and your last chance to buy tickets for the PAL is midnight, Wednesday, April 10th.  – REGISTER TODAY!  We also ask that you share this invite with others in the Veteran community, family, and friends. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s luncheon! Online registration and more details can be found on our Eventbrite site at this link:  2024 Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Patriotic Awards Luncheon Tickets, Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

PAL Co-Chairs:
Pat Little-Upah, patupah@gmail.com
Karen Craig, Kcraig1955@cox.net

INAUGURAL NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

The Office of Veterans Services, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) hosted its first dinner and ceremony in honor of National Vietnam Veterans Day (3/29/24) on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Scottsdale.  Hosted by Director Amanda White and Associate  Director Troy Truax Jr.  Native American Veterans from all tribal affiliations and all Vietnam Veterans were invited to participate.  The American Legion (TAL), Ira H. Hayes Post #84 Honor Guard from Sacaton, provided posting and retirement of the Colors.  Former Miss Salt River, Isabella Dockerty, performed a stirring rendition of The National Anthem in both O’odham and English.

An excellent four course meal was accompanied by entertainment from Chi’ Chino, an interpretive, traditional cultural dance troupe based in Gila River.  Keynote Speakers, highly decorated Vietnam Veterans Robert Chiago and Thomas Jones, shared riveting accounts of their in -country experiences during the War.  The Official Proclamation honoring the event was read and presented by SRP-MIC President Martin Harvier, who also assisted The Office of Veterans Services  staff in presenting the event coin and proclamation to each of the Veterans present.

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame member Bill Ward (Class of 2021), who has deep ties to Native American Culture in Arizona and the Northwest, delivered the “Closing Prayer”, an inspirational, sacred tribute to warriors played on  a handmade, wooden flute traditionally used in many Indigenous American ceremonies.

Chi’Chino Cultural Dance Troup	Bill Ward (’21), Amanda White, Reggie Yates (’13) & Troy Truax Jr.

Paul Smiley AVHOFS Director Class of 2021

Be on the lookout for an email invite to our first West Valley Round-Up Coffee, on April 5th - 0800 to 0900, at the Crackle Barrel restaurant, 1209 N. Litchfield Rd, Goodyear (I-10 and Litchfield Road).  Please contract Paul Smiley at:  pasmiley55@gmail.comor (623) 521-5445 for more information.

VETERANS HERITAGE PROJECT

Lea Seago Class of 2013

On April 5 and 6, The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society’s very own Anna Lea Seago will be inducted into the Will Rogers High School Hall of Fame at a formal event in Tulsa, OK.  She was WRHS Class of 1959.  Lea is the first woman to be selected for their military service and will be a key-note speaker.
Congratulations Lea!!

Kathleen Laurier (Class of 2012), center in photo, participated in a couple of events.

The fund raiser at Chili's for Wreaths Across America raised over $425.00.

With her Scottish American Military Society (SAMS Post 1314) handed out over 8dz Shamrock cookies at the CLC at VA Hospital Prescott.

Tom Hessler President AVHOFS Cochise County Chapter Class of 2007

This is an attempt to solicit articles from members of the Cochise County Chapter of the Society.  If you are involved in a veteran related activity or event as a participant in any way, especially as a Society member, please consider sending me pictures and words describing the activity or event.  If suitable, I’ll publish it under this COCHISE COUNTY CHAPTER HAPPENINGS heading.  Pictures should be of good quality and the writeup well written with correct spelling of proper names.  For example, I welcome articles of your participation in events like Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  Articles should be sent to me at tjhessler@cox.net.

MASSING OF THE COLORS IN SUN CITY WEST

Chapter members Tom Hessler (Class of 2007), Chapter president, Judy-Ann Carroll (Class of 2014), Jose Baeza (Class of 2017), Lori Wysong (Class of 2023), and John Black (Class of 2016)

The Cochise County Chapter met on 30 March to discuss the future direction of the Chapter.  The meeting was called by Tom Hessler (Class of 2007), the founding president of the Chapter.  The group wasn’t very big since most, if not all, of the members are very active in their local veteran organizations or otherwise unavailable.  The purpose of the meeting was to determine the future status, activities, and leadership of the Chapter.  The consensus was to (1) remain being an affiliate chapter of the Society, (2) not increase its activities from what it is doing now, (3) and to keep Tom as President.  In essence, no change at all.  The bottom line is that the members are primarily committed to their respective local organizations and are interested in having the Chapter expand its activities.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Remember that your Society supports a variety of other programs that are paid for through funds other than members contributions.  The Century Club is the only program where we ask our members to accept the costs of the scholarships we award. 

StandDowns for our needy veterans continue around the state.  You can help by volunteering.  Here is a listing of the StandDowns coming up in the next few months.

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

Above 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! 

Below that are the names of those who have contributed to the Century Club by our March press time.  If your name is missing, please contact me and let’s see if we can straighten out the problem.  My phone number is 623-544-4477 and my email address is jp7wojtas@gmail.com.

Contributions to date this fiscal year total $11,925.

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

When you order from the catalog PLEASE print clearly. I have had some orders that had errors.  I don’t want to inconvenience any members.

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

Roy McClymonds

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.