Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Thank you to everyone who attended our business meeting in person or by zoom on September 14th.  The Doubletree served us a delicious breakfast and we were able to catch up with Society friends we had not seen for a while.  The first highlight of the meeting was the reading of the new inductee’s names for this year’s class.  The induction ceremony is being held on Nov 1st at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale.  The early bird ticket prices have been extended to September 30th.  We are looking forward to seeing all of our members attend the breakfast beforehand to honor those who have been the greatest support to each of the inductees.  The breakfast starts at 8AM and is free to members.  This is a chance for us, in a smaller setting, to get to know the new inductees and soon to be Society members.  To attend the luncheon and induction of members you will need to purchase tickets. 

We called this second general business meeting because we felt it important to be transparent and let our membership know about two events that will impact the Society going forward and our strategic planning.  We have a contract that we had through the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.  This was a five-year contract renewable each year.  We were in our third year when ADVS informed us that they would no longer be renewing the contract as of the end of September.  I believe that when God closes one door, he opens another.  Several years ago, a friend Diane McDowell, had asked to meet to learn more about the Society.  She had lost her husband Ed McDowell several years before.  Ed was an Army JAG officer, and they were both very involved in several local organizations and the law college at ASU.  Subsequently the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society was added to her trust.  Since her passing, we have received thus far, several million dollars which we have invested.  At last year’s Patriotic Awards Luncheon, you may have noticed that one of our scholarships for a Veteran was named the Edward and Diane McDowell perpetual scholarship.  One of Diane’s wishes was that some of the money would be used for scholarships for veterans.  Our long term goal with this money is to adopt a conservative investment attitude to protect the principle while using the interest to fund our projects and grow our outreach.  We are grateful to the McDowell’s for their generosity but also to each of you. Many of you have included the Society in your legacy planning. A large number of our membership have helped to support scholarships through the Century Club which we will continue.

L to R: Jim Monroe, President Pat, Pam Wojtas, Jerry Wojtas.  Pat presenting Pam and Jerry with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Our Treasurer Jerry Wojtas, who has faithfully served for 10 years, asked to step down over a year ago but agreed to stay until we found a replacement.  We are blessed that Sheree Bigge, Class of 2023, has agreed to step into that position.  Sheree was unanimously approved and sworn in during the meeting.  In addition, the Society has contracted with Virginia Saldivar, owner of Metro Accounting and Professional Services, to assist the treasurer.

With this transition we felt it very important that an internal audit be done.  Member Wanda Wright, Class of 2023, stepped up and conducted the audit and then presented an executive summary of her findings to the membership.  Her findings concluded that the funds were managed appropriately.  There are some opportunities for us to be more consistent with our reporting and to develop some financial SOPs.  Sheree and Virginia are taking on that task.  We will also be including our financial report with the minutes that are posted on the website.  All tax reports have been submitted timely. 

You should have received a copy of our proposed bylaw changes.  All were approved with the exception of changes to Article III Status section 3.  A number of members felt we needed to take a closer look at the new wording in the indemnity clause as it could put us at more risk.  We are looking at that and will consult our lawyers also prior to bringing back anything to our membership at the January annual business meeting. 

You also received copies of the revised Strategic Plan. Thank you to Karen Craig, Jim Monroe, Ron Williams, Christine Mahon, and Wanda Wright who helped with revising our Strategic Plan.  The committee did a SWOT analysis looking at our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.  Some basic language was changed to better reflect our times, but we felt the mission, vision and values were still relevant.  We made Governance a stand-alone priority in the Plan.  Under Membership, instead of having outreach by classes spread across the State, we are doing a regional outreach program at this time.  We need to capture more information about our membership and an on-line form is being developed to capture our Flags for Families information as well as our membership’s background, talents and time available to assist the Society.  We wanted to make sure that people knew who the Society is and what we do, like having displays and outreach at State VSO conventions. We will also be formalizing a program which would allow us to look at requests for support from other organizations.  A Committee will be formed to look at a method to receive requests and then vet those requests to ensure that they meet our mission and goals.  We need to establish a written marketing and communications plan, establish a stronger succession plan for our Board and Officers, address the issues identified in the Compliance Report, and establish an Ad Hoc Committee to develop partnerships and establish MOUs which we currently have with our existing partners. 

Jim Monroe, chair of the Finance Committee, reported on the budget and how far we have come financially over the years, and Jerry Wojtas gave his final report as our Society Treasurer.  A heartfelt goodbye was given to Jerry and Pam Wojtas with a gift card and some mementoes for his often talked of Hawaiian trips and a certificate of appreciation from the Society.  Paula Pedene, Class of 2019, who was in attendance is going to write about Jerry in her Veteran Column.

The Society can have sufficient money to move forward but unless we have members who are willing to be engaged, it does not matter.  I cannot mention everyone over the years who has contributed so much to helping meet the mission, but here are a few: members like Christeen Verchot who has taken on organizing our State Home Events, and Cy and Jackie Bassett who have stepped up to help her.  Tom Hessler who does our newsletter, Chuck Schluter who has served on our Scholarship committee year after year.  Vic Peterson who attends most of our members funerals.  Wanda Wright who did our Compliance review.  Your amazing board and executive committee who work harder than most of our members probably realize.  We still have needs as we are a small group, so if you can even spend a little time helping your Society, I encourage you to do so.  Karen Craig is working on an on-line form for our Flags for Families program and to also capture the talents of our membership and how they would like to be involved.  At this time, we need someone in the Tucson area to help with our Flags for Families program at members funerals.  We have organized small local get togethers of our members. Paul Smiley coordinates the West Side of Maricopa County, Clyde Meade coordinates Prescott and the surrounding area, Tom Hessler runs our Southern Arizona Chapter out of Sierra Vista.  We still need someone to organize the East Side of Maricopa County, the Phoenix Area, and the Tucson Area.  We are also looking for someone to co-chair the Patriotic Awards Luncheon who can eventually take over the organization of that event.  We need at large members for the Nominating Committee under Ron Williams.  This Society is Your Society, and we cannot complete our mission without each of you.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, suggestions or want to help.  You can contract me at patupah@gmail.com or (480)226-4454.  If you phone me and I do not answer, please leave me a message.

Our next newsletter will come out after Veterans Day.  If you are involved in events around the State take a picture and let us know about your outreach. 

Please remember if you send us anything by snail mail our new address is :
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society
7650 S. McClintock Dr.  Ste 103-443
Tempe, Az 85284 

Patricia Little-Upah
patupah@gmail.com
(480)226-4454

CONGRATULATIONS ARIZONA VETERANS HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2024

David Carroll Campbell II, USA, Chandler

Nathaniel Leonard Carr, USAF, Gilbert

Geoffrey Cadman Davis *, USA, Tempe

Asa Dancy Herring, Jr., USAF, Phoenix

Allen Zetty Kratz, USN, Litchfield Park

Linda Lyon, USAF, Tucson

Edward McDowell *, Arizona

Randall Scott Meyer, USAF, Litchfield Park

Othell Timothy Newbill III, USA, Waddell

Lincoln J, Ragsdale, Sr.*, Army Air Corps, Phoenix

Juan Trinidad Salas-Castillon, USMC, Coolidge

Tad Curtis Snidecor, USMC, Peoria

Jane Carol Strain, USA, Sierra Vista

Darren La Von Venters, USAF, Sahuarita

Theresa Jane Walsh, USA, Sierra Vista

* Posthumous

Veterans, military, and the public are invited to the Induction Ceremony, which includes lunch.  The lunch entrée will be Herb Roasted Frenched Chicken Breast.  Special dietary needs such as requests for vegetarian meals are invited and welcome.    

Registration Information:  As of September 1st, Registration information is available at the Unified Arizona Veterans website www.azuav.org.  Family, friends, and the public may register using a credit card on the website.  Or, you can download/print the Registration Form, fill it out, and make your check or money order payable to:  UAV.  Please mail the Registration Form and payment to Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV), P.O. Box 34338, Phoenix, AZ 85067, Attn: Treasurer. 

• Early Bird Registration:  until 11:30 pm, September 30th:  $65/person
• Standard Registration:  12:01 am October 1st to 11:30 pm, October 25th:  $75/person 

Veterans and the public who do not have access to the Registration form on the website www.azuav.org, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, cell (602) 799-9480, to have the form mailed to you. 
For general information about the Induction Ceremony and luncheon, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: secretary@azuav.org, cell (602) 799-9480.

Please note that the address for the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society has changed.  The new address which all written correspondence etc. must be sent to is:

ARIZONA VETERANS HALL OF FAME SOCIETY
7650 S. McCLINTOCK DRIVE
STE 103-443
TEMPE, AZ 85284

COPPER SWORD:  The Copper Sword award recognizes an individual who has not worn the uniform of this Nation’s Armed Forces but has done extraordinary things in support of our communities, neighbors, and our veterans.

COPPER EAGLE:  This award recognizes a deserving private or public institution, organization, or business whose actions warrant high recognition for services rendered to the Arizona veteran or military community.  While there are many national and state governmental organizations who provide benefits, non-governmental entities will always be needed to fill in the gaps of service and support.  It is these entities that do outstanding service and support that we seek to recognize.  No more than two Copper Eagle awards may be presented in any given year: one award to a business, and one to an organization.

A few of the unique services and support that would qualify for the Copper Sword or Copper Eagle Award are education, opportunity and jobs for veterans including veteran friendly programs at our universities and colleges, legal assistance and courts that recognize the unique challenges of many combat veterans, and job opportunities that address the high unemployment rate of veterans.  Also included are healthcare and social welfare to include individuals or entities who focus on the veteran homeless population, veteran community care, and those who work to provide services and support to disabled veterans, women veterans, or rural veterans.

You can find more information about our Copper Awards program and the Nomination Forms on our website at avhof.org/copper-sword-copper-eagle/.  This year’s nomination deadline is October 31, 2024.  

Pat Connell (Class of 2015) was the guest speaker at the 2024 Annual Navajo Code Talkers Commemoration Day, held 14 August 2024 at the Code Talkers Memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix.  The event honored past and present Navajo Code Talkers from WWII.  Present at the ceremony was one of the three remaining original 29 Code Talkers, Thomas Begay 100 years old.

Tom Hessler President AVHOFS Cochise County Chapter Class of 2007

I welcome 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.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA REMEMBRANCE DAY SAVE THE DATE

This is the 4th year that the Military Order of the Purple Heart has had it at the Mountain View Cemetery.  Many of you have come out and enjoyed our ceremony and teaching your children what it costs for freedom.

We are reaching out to any sponsors who would like to purchase a wreath for $17 to be placed on an interred Veteran’s grave.  If anyone purchases 100 wreaths, you will be mentioned on our fliers, media, as well as the day of.  (See Order form.) For every wreath sold, WAA will give $5 back to the local veteran community!

We also need volunteers to help with unpacking the wreaths on December 13th and placing the wreaths on the Veterans graves on December 14th.

Our ceremony has always been an honorable recognition to all those who have served and sacrificed.  Here is a little peak as to what part of the ceremony will have in it this year:

Our speaker will be Arizona Adjutant General Kerry Muehlenbeck.  She is in charge of the Dept of Emergency & Military affairs.  Major General Muehlenbeck received her commission in April 2021.

Please spread the word to your family and friends about this honorable event! 

If anyone who wishes to volunteer, we are requesting that they register at nfass@hotmail.com;  This year, Bashas and Texas Roadhouse will be donating their time and food to all volunteers.

Sheree Bigge AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2023

I am also new to the Society as a member of the Class of 2023.  I recognize some of you due to activity within the veteran community, but others are still unknown.  Looking forward to meeting each of you.  My contact information is sheree.bigge@gmail.com or cell 623-680-3016.

The Century Club is the Scholarship program that is fully funded by our members generosity.  Donations for this FY are off to a great start.  All levels of contributions are appreciated.  Based on how much is contributed, will dictate the Scholarships that can be awarded.  It would be incredible if we could surpass our goal of $12,000.  To date, we have received $3450 towards our goal.  Below is a breakdown of the donors.  Thanks to all that have donated already.

For those that do not know, there are levels of sponsorships, and are color coded accordingly.  Feel free to contribute what you are able and willing.  The recipients will be appreciative of all that is received.

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

Adam Garrard AVHOFS Quartermaster Class of 2020

The country store catalog can be found on The AVHOFS website.  If you have problems finding what you want, please contact me at (623) 640-6792 or my email mjeepersafb@gmail.com.

Adam Garrard, Quartermaster

GREGORY MELIKIAN CLASS OF 2018
Dear Friends,

Please join us in remembering the life of Gregory Melikian on Saturday, October 19th at 2:00PM at the Armenian Cultural Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, located next to St. Apkar Armenian Church (8849 Cholla Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260).

We will be sharing memories and stories of a life well-lived, and your presence would mean the world to us as we gather to commemorate the life of a truly remarkable man. Following the service, a reception will be held at the same location.

Kindly RSVP by October 12th to Ramona.Melikian@mail.com (only if attending).

With warmest regards,
The Melikian Family

HELEN GLASS CLASS OF 2002
Helen will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at 10AM at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located at 15950 N. Luckett Rd. Marana, Arizona 85653

ELIZABETH NEHRING CLASS OF 2020
At this time, we have no information on when her upcoming service will be held. 

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.

Paul Marsh
(Extract from avhof.org)

Born in New Britain, Connecticut in 1931, Paul G. Marsh enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952. Served in the Medical Corps during the Korean War until separation in 1954, with the rank of Corporal. On the board of directors of several Tucson veteran-oriented organizations, Paul promoted programs to alleviate chronic homelessness and identify critical support services for needy veterans and their families. By his tireless efforts, he proved to be a dedicated advocate for locating a state cemetery in greater Tucson. Working with Tucson’s Veterans Affairs Committee and veterans groups such as the Arizona Korean War Veterans, he embarked upon an eight year quest to make the concept a reality. Undeterred by obstacles, Paul Marsh stood tall among those honored during the 2014 groundbreaking for the Arizona Memorial Cemetery in Marana, Arizona.

Gregory Melikian
(Extract from avhof.org)

Born in New York City, New York in 1924, Greg Melikian served in the U.S. Army, WWII, at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in France, where Greg distinguished himself as the communication specialist who broadcast the cessation of hostilities to the world on May 7, 1945. Greg was inducted as Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion of Honor, and is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and ASU’s Medal of Excellence and Philanthropist of the Year.  His real estate holdings include the historic Hotel San Carlos in Phoenix.  Around the world, Greg is known as the namesake and benefactor of ASU’s Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies where the Center’s Critical Languages Institute offers intensive language training.  Greg’s additional contributions include serving as President of the Arizona Opera, and Director, Phoenix Sister Cities Commission.

James (Doc) Dougherty
(Extract from avhof.org)

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945. Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1964, Doc Dougherty mastered parachute assembly and maintenance skills and air delivery systems employed worldwide by U.S. and Allied units. Honorably discharged in 1967 as an Army Specialist, Doc has been a founding charter member and member of the board of four local organizations dedicated to recognizing the contributions and preserving the rich history and traditions of Arizona soldiers and units who served in Airborne status. He had a key role in raising more than $30,000 to fund scholarships for ROTC cadets and veterans at Arizona’s three major universities. Doc Dougherty has been recognized by leaders in Arizona for his contributions which resulted in a National Cemetery being established in southern Arizona.

Beth Nehring
(Extract from avhof.org)

Born in Bluffton, Ohio in 1952, Beth Nehring joined the Navy on her high school graduation day and was honorably discharged as a Navy yeoman in 1972. Beth currently serves as a Program Project Specialist at the Arizona Dept of Forestry and Fire Management. Her community contributions have included supporting youth organizations, the West Valley Crisis Center, the Toys for Tots program, and Mary Ellen’s Place, a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing for women veterans. From 2005 to the present, Beth is a strong supporter in the Reap What You Sew organization which has donated over $6,000 and more than 3,000 quilts to hospitals and fifteen nonprofit and veteran organizations. Beth Nehring’s service in all positions in her American Legion Post 105, as well as State and National levels, is outstanding.

Helen Glass
(Published by Legacy Remembers)

TUCSON, Ariz. (Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 22, 2024.

Tucson - Helen Theresa Anderson Rickard Glass - Born in North Wapole, NH on March 8, 1923. The only daughter of Arthur O. and Rothia Mae Porter Anderson was summoned by her Supreme Commander to report to her final Duty Station above on August 14, 2024. Raised and educated in Newark, and Verona, NJ. Enlisted in the US Navy WAVES March 8, 1943. She is preceded in death by her 1st husband ACMM Elvin Leavitt Rickard, daughter Kathleen Rickard Johnson Schoonover, 2nd husband George S. Glass, son Arthur H. Glass, grandson Jon Albert Johnson of Aurora, CO and Granddaughter Sarah Lynn Adams. She moved to Tucson, AZ in 1976 from Boynton Beach, FL. She is survived by her grandchildren, Raymond S Johnons and Lori Johnson Rangel WA, Christopher Glass, great grandchildren, Audree and husband Jordan Verdugo AZ, Rebecca Johnson AZ, Brittany Johnson KS, Kimberley Johnson CO, Christopher Johnson CO and several great-great grandchildren.