Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

It is hard to believe that another Patriotic Awards Luncheon is behind us and we are already planning our next one in 2025.  This is a time when we honor those individuals, companies and organizations who have gone above and beyond for our Veterans, their families, our military and our communities.  I know that we all are aware of who they are; now it is time to show our appreciation by nominating them for our prestigious Copper Sword or Copper Eagle Awards.  You can find the guidelines and forms on our website.  The nomination deadline is October 31st.  If you are like me and put it off it will likely not get done so please start working on those nominations now.  

Your board has continued to work hard as we complete our budget for fiscal year 24/25.  We are hoping to have a second “all members” meeting where we can update you and do something fun together at the same time.  Let me assure you that your Society, because of your generosity over the years and those of our various supporters, is financially strong.  We will continue to meet our mission as we move forward.  To do that we need more than just money, we need your involvement.  We are continuing to look for someone with financial expertise to assist the Treasurer, someone to assist our Quartermaster as Roy McClymonds transitions out of that role and Adam Garrard takes it over.  We need help from our Tucson members as member Christeen Verchot organizes events at the State Home in Tucson and from our Northern members when the Flagstaff facility opens in October.  Will also need help with the Patriotic Awards Luncheon as individuals transition off this committee.   Do you have other ideas about what your Society could be doing?   Let us know but remember every project takes a leader. 

The Board has also decided to go to a newsletter once a quarter instead of monthly.  I will be asking Unified Arizona Veterans who has started a monthly newsletter outlining events around the state if they can forward that on to all of our members.  This will give you a very comprehensive outline of what other organizations events are that you might want to attend.  Our newsletter will focus on what our membership is doing and the events that we are involved in to keep you informed about your Society. 

As Memorial Day approaches it is a time of mixed emotions for Veterans.  The Country is celebrating with picnics and the approach of summer often forgetting the real reason we observe this hollowed day.  For Veterans it is a time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this Country.  These may have included friends, relatives and war buddies for many.  For Veterans, Memorial Day is deeply personal and while we celebrate with family and friends, we also never forget those who are not here to celebrate with us and honor their memories. 

Patricia Little-Upah (Class of 2014)
President, AVHOFS

To the Members of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame:

Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the awards luncheon last month!  I hope to have other opportunities to support the AVHOFS in the future.  You and your membership truly set the example of what it means to be successful.  I would not be where I am today, or have the confidence I have if it were not for you, your members, and the lessons I’ve learned from you over the years.

Lastly, Thank you for the chocolate-covered espresso beans!  I was not expecting that!  I know where the thought came from___ I really enjoyed our meal together. 

Semper Fidelis,  R.J. Mitchell

Ps: Pres Pat received the above in a handwritten note from R.J.  Thanks to Joan Monroe who picked up on his love of espresso beans and asked if the Society could send him some. 

MEMORIAL DAY AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF ARIZONA

I was honored to be representing the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.  Members of the Society, UAV, Gold Star Mothers and so many other veteran organizations were in attendance as well as the general public.  Memorial Day is a time we reflect on and honor those who have died in the service of this country.  Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  Key note speaker U.S. Army (Ret.)Sergeant First Class Diana Pike knows that sacrifice only to well.  She reflected back on her son Christian who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 and in March 2013 was mortally wounded in Afghanistan.  The courage of this Mother was evident as she reminded us to live our lives to the fullest serving others. 

The Steerman Flyover, the 108th Band, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard doing the 13 Folds of the flag as U.S. Navy Admiral(RET)Jim Symonds explained each of the step’s meaning, the reciting of “Raggedy Old Flag” by State Historian Marshall Trimble all reminded us of the sacrifices those who served have made to preserve our Freedom.

My hope for this country is that on this Memorial Day everyone, not just Veterans, are reminded and deeply grateful for what all who paid the ultimate sacrifice have given to them.  This country, while not perfect, still embraces and protects their rights.  God has blessed America and we must never forget that. 
Patricia Little-Upah
President AVHOFS

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.

MEMORIAL DAY AT THE SOUTHERN ARIZONA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Our flagbearer was John Black (Class of 2016).  He wore his Sheriff’s Assist Team (SAT) uniform.  He is their team commander.  A few of the Society members were present at the ceremony. 

The Robert J. Puskar Veterans Scholarship ($5,000) is funded by the Department of Arizona Military Order of the Purple Heart and awarded annually to a veteran selected by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.  The 2nd annual Puskar Veterans Scholarship recipient is Sierra Mattos.  She is a seven-year US Navy veteran.  She served as a Korean Linguist with tours of duty in Monterey, CA, South Korea, and Hawaii.  She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University.  Her goal is to become a Speech Language Pathologist.  The scholarship was presented at the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Patriotic Luncheon in April.  Congratulations Sierra!  This scholarship is named in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Robert J. Puskar who fought gallantly during the siege of Khe Sanh and at Dong Ha, Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.  Patriot Puskar was the former National Commander Military Order of the Purple Heart.  Patriot Ron Capek (AVHOF Class of 2012) & Patriot Billy Weldon attended the awards presentation.

Sierra Mattos & Ron Capek

2024 WREATH SPONSORSHIP ORDER FORM

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 and support the costs of the scholarships we award. 

StandDowns for our needy veterans continue on around the state.  You can always help by volunteering.  Here is a listing of the StandDowns remaining for the current year.

Below 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

Having said all that, I wanted to give you a head’s up regarding our Post Office box.  Our current location is not really convenient and we are looking into another location.  No decision has been made yet, and if it does happen, we will give you plenty of notice.  Just don’t assume that nothing has changed and always check before sending.

Below are the names of those who have contributed to the Century Club by our May 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.

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.