Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Dear Society Members,

We had a very successful in-person membership meeting in January.  We had some technical difficulties on the zoom link which were out of our control and we apologize
to those who joined us via zoom.  We will be posting the slides on our website. 

We did approve a change to the indemnity clause in our by-laws after speaking with our lawyers.  That change will be made and posted to our by-laws online.  We talked about the strong financial position that the Society is in due to generous legacy gifts and donations by our membership, community supporters and ADVS.  We have tried to be diligent stewards of the Societies money with our long term investments to ensure that we can grow our programs with the interest that we will receive off of these.  Our goal is that the Society will always have sufficient funds for the future.

We talked about the numerous ways that your Society meets its mission and goals to include the following programs.
Flags for Families
Laying of Wreaths at Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Day
Stand Downs
Newsletters to members
Fisher House Phoenix project
MOWW Massing of the Colors.
Scholarship Program
Copper Awards
Patriotic Awards Luncheon
Induction Ceremony
Veterans Treatment Courts
Maternity Outreach to Veteran Families
Outreach to State Homes
Imprints of Honor Scholarships and support
Wreaths Across America
Outreach to members program, West Valley Phoenix, Prescott area and Southern Arizona Chapter.

These programs all require financial support as well as membership involvement.  Christeen Verchot who runs our Outreach to State Homes has extended the programs to Tucson and Yuma.  Please reach out if you are from those areas and want to get more involved with helping with these events. 

We want to welcome our newest Board member Wanda Wright who was sworn in at the meeting. Wanda will be chairing our Governance Committee and remains a member of our Strategic Planning Committee.

WRIGHT, WANDA ARLENE
Class 2023

Re-elected to the Board were Pat Little-Upah, President,  Karen Craig, Vice President, Directors Adam Garrard, Paul Smiley and Nancy Fassbender. 

We said goodbye to Christine Mahon who has termed off the Board after six years serving as our Secretary and the Chair of our Scholarship committee.  Christine will continue to serve on the Scholarship committee. She was presented with a certificate of appreciation and flowers a small token for the countless hours she has spent over the years helping the Society.  

We are developing a slide show and presentation to reach out to veterans and other Veteran Service Organizations to let them know what the Society does and to encourage people to nominate deserving individuals for membership, our copper awards and scholarships. 

We  are a small VSO with only 271 living members.  We need everyone who is able to get involved.  Thank you for your ongoing support for the Society and each other. 

Patricia Little-Upah
President

Tickets are now available for the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society's 18th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon. This premier event will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Doubletree by Hilton - Phoenix-Mesa, located at 1011 W. Holmes Avenue, Mesa AZ (right off the US-60 at Alma School Road). 

Our Copper Award honorees this year are: 

UAV Copper Star:  Kelly Corsette, City of Scottsdale

UAV Copper Shield: Representative David Marshall, Sr.

Copper Eagles: GlobalMed (Business) and Honoring America's Veterans (Organization)

Copper Sword:  Mike Broomhead

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Copper Award recipients!  During the luncheon, we will also recognize an Outstanding VA Employee from each Arizona VA Medical Center, and multiple scholarships will be awarded by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) and Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) to deserving Imprints of Honor (formerly Veterans Heritage Project) high school seniors and Veteran scholars, who will be announced later.  A copy of this year's Patriotic Awards Luncheon Flyer is attached, for your information.

We also look forward to hearing remarks by our Keynote Speaker, US. Marine Corps Sergeant (Retired) Marcus Chischilly, an OIF/OEF Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient. His story is filled with resilience, grit, and a deep commitment to serve not only as a Marine but as an inspiration for others. A proud member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, or “Darkhorse Battalion,” Marcus’s path took a turn in Afghanistan while serving on his fifth combat tour, when he lost his leg in combat. Facing new challenges that have since shaped his journey, Marcus’s life has taken on a powerful new purpose as a competitor in adaptive sports and a dedicated public speaker, inspiring those facing similar struggles to persevere with courage and demonstrate "Strength Over Defeat."

TICKET SALES ARE NOW OPEN!  We encourage AVHOFS members and other attendees To go to the AVHOFS Website at: www.avhof.org to access more details and a REGISTRATION link. The Registration link will take you to our Eventbrite site where tickets can be purchased.  The Eventbrite site also includes additional information regarding our room block for lodging at the Doubletree Mesa for those who want to stay overnight at the venue. Early Bird pricing is available through April 14th and ticket sales will end on May 1st.  A digital copy of our Registration Form can also be downloaded from the Eventbrite site for those who prefer to mail in their payment. NOTE: You can also complete/email us the form and pay using “Zelle” using the associated email: treasurer.avhofs@gmail.com – contact our Treasurer Sheree Bigge for assistance.

Sponsorship opportunities for the PAL are also available and we encourage everyone to share our Sponsorship Flyer at this LINK with businesses or organizations who might be interested.  A copy of that flyer can also be found on our website.  In addition to higher tier sponsorships, we are offering a $250 PAL Sponsorship which we hope will provide an opportunity for smaller businesses and individuals to support the event and our many Society programs.  Questions regarding PAL Sponsorship should be referred to Gordon James at gjames@gcjpr.com or by phone at 602-274-1988.
We look forward to seeing you at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon where we will recognize these outstanding patriots and scholars!

Thank you!

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

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Othell (Tim) Newbill AVHOFS Chaplain Class of 2024

The members of the AVHOFS have been given another opportunity to serve our community, Veterans and their families. To serve our veterans who need assistance and advocates. We also have the opportunity to inspire young minds to one day serve our country and assist those in need. To provide scholarships for veterans and others.

Be encouraged by the impact you have made with the partnerships you have nurtured throughout this state to give a hand up to those who have fallen on hard times. It is a great thing that you are doing out of a sincere heart without expecting anything in return. You make the sacrifice because you are aware of the sacrifice others have made. Thank you for your character, care and concern as you strive to honor and encourage those who have served.

Many blessings,

Tim Newbill
Chaplain, AVHOFS

NORTH CENTRAL ROUNDUP

Clyde Meade Class of 2020

STONEBRIDGE VETERANS IN LAKE HAVASU CITY

By Joan McDermott

Stonebridge Officers: Standing are Sergeant-at-Arms Pat Wilson, Vice-President Mitch Geriminsky, Treasurer Bruce Knowles, President Randy Nelson, and  Secretary Tom Pearce. Front row are Public Relations Debbie Nelson, and  Chaplain Paulette Wright.

Randy Nelson is the founder and President of Stonebridge Veterans in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He and two other veterans discussed starting a Veterans Coffee Time, like one with which he was involved in Payson Arizona, as the co-host.  He says that the concept was not his idea.  A movement for veterans that began in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is likely the first group with the parallel vision.  In Payson it was started by a handful of veterans in 2020; eventually it grew to over 200 veterans.

The Stonebridge Veterans in Lake Havasu City began with a gathering of three veterans in September 2021.  There is now a list of almost 200 veterans registered and between 40 and 50 veterans attend each of the breakfast meetings every Wednesday.

In May 2023 Havasu Community Health Foundation asked if the group would be interested in joining their organization. With unanimous approval from the growing group of veterans, they accepted the offer.  At that time, Randy was elected as President of Stonebridge Veterans.

The reasons for coffee time are quite simple.  It offers the ability for persons with similar occupations
(the military) to meet, have a cup of coffee and breakfast, and to learn about veterans services and their community.  Out of that arises the obvious camaraderie amongst our veterans, which Randy says is the greatest asset of the meetings.

During the meetings, guest speakers are invited to address veterans regarding subjects of interest to the veteran members and their families.  The focus is on presenting information that will enhance their lives and enrich their experiences. Speakers may provide information regarding an activity veterans can attend.  They may learn about a veteran’s discount being offered.  The group assists veterans in need by guiding them to resources that can provide help like counseling and monetary assistance, if needed.

This year the Stonebridge Veterans have taken responsibility for maintenance of a veterans transitional housing four-plex.  The four units are currently occupied by veterans.  The organization is in the process of repairing many items like plumbing fixtures, replacing smoke alarms, renovating the landscaping, and replacing a badly worn driveway with a new concrete driveway and parking pad.  Stonebridge Veterans is also getting bids for the replacement of the shingled parapet on the structure with a more durable stucco covering.  Stonebridge Veterans has an outreach program to visit veterans who are isolated and home-bound. Volunteers are scheduled to make visits to provide companionship with their fellow veterans.  During the visits, they may identify unmet needs that the group can help to find ways to resolve.
Since Stonebridge Veterans began, the organization has partnered with Quilts of Honor.   Many of our veterans have been presented with patriotic-inspired quilts to honor their service in their military branch.

KOREAN WAR VET HONORED
Clyde Neal, Korean War Veteran (standing 2nd from left), was honored by the Stonebridge Veterans in January.  VFW Post Commander Omer Ethier presented Veteran Neal with the military awards he earned while serving in Korea

*Stonebridge Veterans meet every Wednesday (except holidays) at the Lake Havasu City VFW,
at 0900 hrs.

*Stonebridge Veterans is a program under the umbrella of Havasu Community Health Foundation, a 501 (c)3 public charity,

Joan McDermott (AVHOFS class of 2016) The Stonebridge Veterans group was formed about 1 1/2 yrs. ago - are now meeting every Wed. at 0900 at the VFW for breakfast and a speaker (I help find speakers - one mission is to visit homebound vets - I do a bit of that, as well).  Busy as ever - on the UAV Board now - still volunteering as the mentor coordinator for our Havasu vet court (10 years now).

Quad City Area

On the 12th of February the Northern Arizona Chapter of the Military Officer Association of America (NACMOAA) is hosting a luncheon with an invite to all Veteran Organizations in the area. The guest speaker is Jerry “Geronimo” Martin, the Great-Great Grandson of Geronimo (A Vietnam veteran, Navy/Marine Corps Medic and Bronze Star Medal recipient.  An opportunity to hear and learn firsthand knowledge on Arizona History and Geronimo.

Article published in the February addition of Prescott Mountain Neighbors Magazine on Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society. (Our president, Pat Upah has copy of magazine).

Good news on Kathleen Laurier, (AVHOFS class of 2012) she is home from rehab and doing well. Will see the cardiac doctor next week and will be doing cardiac therapy. Overall, doing really, really good.

Respectfully,
Clyde Meade
Class of 2020

Sheree Bigge AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2023

The newly established Zelle ability has proven useful to date.  This now gives us another way to pay and receive funds, decreasing dependence on the postal system.
We are nearing the Patriotic Awards Luncheon (PAL) in May where the scholarships that are funded by the Century Club will be presented.  Your generosity allows this to happen.  Our target goal is $12,000, of which we have collected $5,550 to date.  It would be great to surpass our target goal.  All levels of contribution are appreciated.  Below is a breakdown of the donors.  Thanks to all those that have donated already.

If desire to contact me directly, sheree.bigge@gmail.com or 623-680-3016.  The Treasurer email is also active:  Treasurer.AVHOFS@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting many of you at our Society Business meeting in January.  Happy Holidays!

Adam Garrard AVHOFS Quartermaster Class of 2020

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS) maintains a Country Store for members who want or need AVHOF-specific items.  The Store is normally open 2 times a year, spring and fall.  We try to open the country store shortly before the Induction ceremony and Patriot Awards Lunch.  That way new members can order items that hopefully can be worn shortly after their induction.  The spring country store is usually open for those who have wanted upgrades in their wardrobe or have worn out the older items.  The Country Store is open and will be open until October 15th.  Please make sure to get your orders in.  One last thing: when you complete the catalog PLEASE print clearly.  We have had some catalogs that I have made errors on, and I don’t want to inconvenience any members.

Here is the country store catalog and it can also 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

HARRY BAILEY - CLASS OF 2017
Harry Bailey’s service will be on Feb 22 from 12N-2P.M. at the Luke Chapel on the Mall. You must RSVP to Skip LaMertha who is coordinating the names for clearance to get onto Luke Air Base. sdlamertha@gmail.com or 624-910-5935

RAYMOND THOMAS CLASS OF 2013
Raymonds Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 23 from 12N - 2P.M. at American Legion Post 2 in Tempe. The family is asking that you RSVP on eventbrite.

RICHARD LEMON’S CLASS OF 2015
February 20 7:00 P.M.
Kapa and Masonic services
VFW Post #549
8424 E. Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85710

Assemble time 6:15 P.M.
Service time 7:00 P.M.

Please wear your Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Medallion or Pin. Bobby Jones will be presenting the Flag from the Society to the family.

Friday, February 21 there will be a family only funeral service at the Marana Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 10:00 A.M. which is only open to family.

Friday February 21 at 6:00P.M. there will be a Repass at Famous Sam's 7129 E. Golf Links Rd. Tucson, AZ 85730. Dress: Come as you are. Thank you to member Bobby Jones for this information

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.

Thomas, Raymond
Class of 2013
(Extract from www.avhof.org)

Bailey, Harry H. Jr.
Class of 2017
(Extract from www.avhof.org)

Lemons, Richard D.
Class of 2015
(Extract from www.avhof.org)