Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

Thanks again to everyone on the Patriotic Awards Committee and your amazing Vice President and Co-Chair of this event Karen Craig.  The 18th Annual Patriotic Awards Ceremony was another great success thanks to all of them. Joan Sisco class of 2009 sent me this text that evening “What a wonderful luncheon. Your team did an amazing job as you always do. What a great group of Scholarship recipients. Gives us hope for our children and grandkids future.  I do not remember who said that these events are like family reunions and they truly are for many of us. Many of us go back 15 to 20 years. I look at Sam Young, who we met in 2005.  Paula Pedene around the same time. Ron Capek has to be 15 years; the list goes on and on.  It was a pure joy and admiration for the years we have all spent with the same mission helping veterans and their families. My heart was very happy to see all these people I have not seen in a year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work you and your team did to bring us all together again.”  I think Joan’s words speak for many of us. This is more than just an awards ceremony, it is a time of renewed camaraderie, seeing old friends and making new ones.

One of the great things about being President is that I am constantly meeting members and in awe of what our collective body of Veterans have done and continue to do. Recently I met member Lawn Griffiths, Class of 2011 when delivering a flag to him. Lawn presented the flag and citation on behalf of the Society at the Celebration of life for Richard Neuheisel. What I did not know is that Lawn was a journalist and has authored several books. He gifted me a signed copy of his book “Batting Rocks Over the Barn.” A friend of mine visited from Dallas who is good friends with member Judge Michael Hawkins Class of 2014 and gave me his book “Big Bug Creek” stories of Growing Arizona. Member Richard Toliver Class of 2016, his book “An Uncaged Eagle True Freedom” is a wonderful read talking about his life and lessons learned. Nancy Fassbender class of 2020 has authored a book called “My Fallen Hero” about Veterans she has known. In the newsletter we have an article by Nate Carr class of 2024.  I thought this article was appropriate for Father’s day coming up soon. I know there are so many more members who have published that I am not even aware of. Are you a published author and want to share information on your book please send that to me. One of the purposes of this newsletter is to get to know each other better.  I know many of you are humble to a fault but if you would like to write a article for the newsletter on something you have done personally or with another organization please let us know. 

As Memorial Day approaches, I know that all of you will be attending ceremonies around the State to honor our fallen comrades. The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame will be laying a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Phoenix, Az 85024.  The ceremony is at 8A.M. on 26 May 2025. 

As a nurse in Vietnam and during the Gulf War when we would have casualties arrive the first thing they would want to know is how their buddies were. They would often ask us to take care of them first even though their wounds were more serious. I know that those who passed away would ask us on this Memorial Day to honor and remember them by continuing to look out for and care for their buddies and all the Veterans who did make it home.  

The transition of the Country Store to a more effective and efficient process has been a difficult one. I apologize to anyone who has ordered items and not received them in a timely manner.  We are working to fix that.

One of the things at the PAL that is so memorable is giving out Scholarships.  Our Century Club Scholarship is totally funded by our members, and we have not met our goal yet this year.  While the Society has been blessed with being financially stable because of the generous legacy gifts of its members we must still continue to bring in money to grow and support future endeavors. We want the Society not just to survive but to be able to grow its outreach. Part of our mission statement is to “undertake charitable and other projects at the State and local levels and to work with Veterans Organizations.”  Below is a list of some of the projects and programs we are currently doing and supporting:

The Veterans Courts
The State Homes
The Maternity Outreach for Veteran Families
The Imprints of Honor Program
Wreaths Across America
Flags for Families Program
Stand Downs
The UAV Induction Ceremony
Fisher House
Wreath Laying ceremonies
Patriotic Awards Luncheon
Our Success is Your Success Program

While this is an impressive list it needs to grow as does our support of our current projects to do this as a Society we must continue to fundraise.  If you would like to be an at-large member on our fundraising committee, please let us know. 

Thank you to everyone who filled out the member information form on our website. If you have not filled this out, please do so.

Another key part of our mission is to take care of our members. Please let us know if you or a loved one are experiencing medical or other challenges.  Chaplain Newbill is available if needed.  We want to support you in whatever way we can. 

I hope that all of you have a safe Memorial Day weekend.  We will try to get our next issue out later this summer. 

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

Another very successful Patriotic Awards Luncheon was held on Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Doubletree by Hilton-Mesa. This was the Society’s 18th year hosting the event which has continued to grow in size and significance for the veteran community. As President Upah said in her welcome remarks, the event was initiated in 2007 with the specific mission of recognizing non-military individuals and private institutions whose actions have contributed significantly to the benefit and well-being of members of the armed forces, veterans, their families, and their survivors.

This year’s luncheon was attended by almost 340 AVHOF members, award and scholarship recipients, sponsors, veterans, supporters, friends, and family. Guests enjoyed the absolutely phenomenal performance of the National Anthem given by Britahn Newbill, daughter of our Society Chaplain Othell “Tim” Newbill, Class of 2024, as well as the inspiring remarks of our Keynote Speaker, USMC Sergeant (Retired) Marcus Chischilly who lost his left leg above the knee when he stepped on an IED during a firefight with the enemy in Afghanistan in October 2010.  A video recording of his remarks at the luncheon will be made available in the near future.
Together with the UAV, the Society was pleased to recognize five Copper Award recipients, three VAMC employees and eleven scholarship recipients this year. The contributions made by these individuals and organizations, and the caliber and accomplishments of our scholarship recipients is outstanding. We encourage each of you to review the Patriotic Awards Luncheon Program and read the personal narratives about each award and scholarship recipient, which can be found at this link: Patriotic Awards Luncheon – Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society

You’ll also be interested and proud to know that the Society and UAV combined presented a total of $62,500 in scholarships which brings the total awarded since establishment of the scholarship program in 2008, to $295,000. We are grateful this year for the generous memorial donation we received from the trust of Anthony Saputo (Class of 2007), and the continuing legacy funds we receive from the LTC (Ret) Ed & Diane McDowell Estate, as well as the one-time grant we received from the PenFed Foundation to support our scholarship program. Those funds along with the continuing support of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Arizona, the scholarship donation from Arizona Public Service, and the donations received from Hall of Fame members for our Century Club Scholarship Fund are what make all these scholarships possible.

In addition to thanking our dedicated and loyal PAL Committee members which were mentioned by President Upah, we would also like to acknowledge the continued support of our sponsors. You can’t put on an event like this without their support and we were fortunate to have both TriWest Healthcare Alliance and USAA as Valor Sponsors, along with the sponsorships received from Salt River Project, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of Arizona, the Military Order of the Purple Heart-Arizona Department, as well as the Southwest Veterans Foundation and Honoring America’s Veterans. 
A few photos are included below and additional official photos of the PAL will be posted on the Society website in the next week or so --  you’ll be able to view the photos once we receive them from the photographer at: https://avhof.org/galleries/   Video highlights of each Copper Award honoree, expertly prepared by Gene Ganssle of G2Pro, will be shared on our AVHOFS Facebook page over the next couple of weeks, and the entire album of official photos will also be posted on Facebook.

Please join us in congratulating all of the 2025 award and scholarship recipients – they are each truly deserving of the recognition they received! 

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

“SINCE YOU ASKED” BOOKS

SILVER STAR FLAG PRESENTATION

After the Patriotic Awards Luncheon Keynote Speaker Marine Marcus Chischilly was given a silver star flag by his mom Lorraine. Marcus lost his leg during a fire fight in Sangin Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED. Many are not familiar with the silver star flag and its history. More information.

EAST VALLEY R.E.D. FRIDAY PATRIOT GROUP

President Pat Little Upah (Class of 2014) was honored to be the keynote speaker at the East Valley R.E.D. Friday Patriots Group on May 23rd.  She was joined by Nancy Fassbender (Class of 2020), a key member of this group and Bill Norwood (Class of 2021).  This group has met every Friday for 6 years to support our deployed service members. 

REMINDER: AVHOFS MEMBER SURVEY

If you have not yet completed the member survey which was sent to you via email on April 3rd, we ask that you do so at your earliest convenience.  At this time, we’ve received responses from only 38 of our 266 living Arizona Hall of Fame Society members.

The member survey form includes space to provide your Next of Kin information which is extremely important to us for the Society's Flags for Families Program and the coordination necessary for presentation of an Arizona Flag and Certificate to your family when you pass. The survey also asks a few questions which will be utilized to better communicate and serve our members, while also giving you an opportunity to provide information to the Society regarding your time and talents, which committees you’re interested in, or the programs/projects you’d like to participate in or volunteer for.

The survey form is very simple and should take you less than five minutes to complete!  You can also use this form to report any recent changes in your personal contact information (email, phone or mailing address). 

To complete the short member survey and provide your Next of Kin information for the Society's Flags for Families program:

• Go to www.avhof.org
• Log into the restricted Member Only section of our AVHOFS website. If you don't remember your log-on and password, please contact us.
• Once you've logged in, click on the BLUE button titled "Member Information Form" as shown in the photo below.
• Review the information provided, scroll to the bottom of the page, and complete the form -- then hit SUBMIT!

We look forward to receiving your survey response and appreciate your continued support!

STATE HOME OUTREACH INITIATIVE PROGRAM

After much planning with the Recreation Therapy Department, the AVHOFS OIP sponsored the first quarterly Yuma Veteran State Home event on May 21st, 2025.  The luncheon took place at the Yuma Black Bear Diner.  A total of 25 participants Veterans (19) and staff (6) mingled together to share great food, drink, dessert and stories from when serving our United States of America.  

Participant Evaluations collected at the end of the event overwhelmingly indicated satisfaction and a desire/ interest for more future events.  It was unanimously agreed on to have the next Quarterly event (August) at the Black Bear Diner again! 

Respectfully submitted: Christeen Verchot

NORTH CENTRAL ROUNDUP

Many events in the North Central Roundup from Standdowns to Resource Fairs.  From Kingman, Page, Parker Lake Havasu, Verde Valley and Bullhead city.

Bob Wallace (AVHOF Class of 2014), Clyde Meade (AVHOF Class of 2020) had the privilege of being the guest speakers at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System Vietnam War Veterans Day Commemoration on March 28.

Be Connected – Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Mich Kalaui (Class of 2017)

Vietnam Veterans Day, doing the Invocation and talk on the Donut Dolly's while in Vietnam. Also met a gentleman who flew the 1st plane out of Vietnam 5-4-75 baby Lift, that crashed into the rice paddies killing a lot of the infants. Sisto Sandoval Class of 2018

On April 12, AVHOFS member, Kathleen Laurier (AVHOF Class of 2012) (and her sister Barbara), were honored at a baby shower for female veterans.  The shower was given jointly by the Salt River Military Women Across the Nation and the Women’s Army Corps, Army Women United, Chapter 68 and supported by Veterans First and AVHOF member, Joan Sisco (AVHOF Class of 2009).  Kathleen spoke briefly, explaining to the new members how the maternity program was conceived and implemented at the Phoenix VA Women’s Clinic.  Gifts were donated by the members, a lovely lunch was served, a beautiful cake was provided, and games were enjoyed by all.

In July I will be doing a presentation on the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society to the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) at Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) in Prescott.

On April 28, 2025, Arizona Devil Dog Charities Chairman Bob Wallace (AVHOF, Class of 2014) presented a $3,000 check to Walt Campbell, Exalted Ruler of the Prescott Elks Lodge.  The funds are to support the development of a Veterans Memorial Park on a bluff overlooking Fain Lake, Lynx Creek Valley and beyond to the Bradshaw Mountains.  The park will include a ramada with bar-b-que equipment, picnic tables, fire pit, flag pole and a grassed/fenced dog park.   Others shown above are Marine Corps Devil Dogs and members of the Prescott Elks lodge who are veterans. Respectfully, Clyde Meade Class of 2020

Sheree Bigge AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2023

The Century Club Scholarship Fund exists to support a number of scholarships which are awarded by the Society each year. Funded by members of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, recipients of the scholarships are veteran scholars and high school students who participate in the Imprints of Honor program. In November, the board decided that the Century Club would fund one AVHOFS Veteran Scholarship in the amount of $7,500. Although we haven't yet met our target goal in Century Club donations for this fiscal year, what we received did help to offset the total that was awarded, and.... you can still donate! 

For fiscal year 2024/2025 the target goal is $12,000.  To date, donations from members have totaled $5850, a considerable shortfall.  There is still time to get your member contribution to the Century Club for this fiscal year.  Can donate on the AZ Hall of Fame website, www.AVHOF.org , by mail or send via Zelle to Treasurer.AVHOFS@gmail.com .

Below is a listing of those who have donated already.  All levels of contribution are appreciated.    Thanks to everyone that has already donated.  July will begin anew for the next fiscal year.

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

Adam Garrard
Quartermaster
Class of 2020

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.

Richard (Dick) Neuheisel
Class of 2011

Richard "Dick" Neuheisel, former Tempe City Councilmember, business owner and founder of Tempe Sister Cities and the Tempe Oktoberfest, died at age 88.

Neuheisel served in the U.S. Army until 1965 and was on the Tempe City Council from 1968 to 1972. Neuheisel also taught at Arizona State University and opened his own law firm.

During his time on the City Council, he learned about Sister Cities International and was inspired to create the Tempe Sister Cities program. It was designed to promote educational and cultural exchange between Tempe and 11 sister cities around the globe, including Skopje, the Republic of North Macedonia; Regensburg, Germany; Zhenjiang, China; and Timbuktu, Mali.

High school students from Tempe can go on cultural exchange trips to sister cities through the organization, which also hosts international students in Tempe. The program was recognized multiple times as the best overall Sister Cities program in America. He retired from leading Tempe Sister Cities in 2019 after serving as its president for almost 50 years.

Neuheisel and his wife, Jane, created the Tempe Oktoberfest, now the Four Peaks Oktoberfest, as a fundraiser for Tempe Sister Cities and celebrated the first in 1973. Dick and Jane were honored with the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, an award given by the Tempe Community Council for people who dedicate their lives to giving back to others, in 2005. The city also honored the couple by naming the Dick and Jane Neuheisel Sister City Garden at the Tempe Public Library in honor of their work.
The Neuheisels also owned and operated Shalimar Golf Club, a nine-hole course in Tempe. The course is closing at the end of April.

Neuheisel was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, in 1936. He met Jane in kindergarten but moved away soon after, Jane said. The two reconnected in college in Wisconsin and later married and had four children.

Dick Neuheisel graduated from the University of Wisconsin and its college of law. He served as a captain in the Judge Advocate Corps of the U.S. Army. He taught law classes at Arizona State University for 16 years.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said Neuheisel was a strong leader and public servant in the Tempe community.

"The Honorable Dick Neuheisel was a true Tempe treasure," Woods said in a statement. "From his service as a Tempe City Councilmember, founding the internationally-recognized Tempe Sister Cities program, and steadfast leadership in countless other nonprofit organizations and charitable causes, he leaves behind a tremendous legacy of public and community service. We collectively mourn his loss and our hearts go out to his family and friends."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dick Neuheisel, founder of Tempe Sister Cities, Oktoberfest dies at 88

Carol Jeanne Dahl
Class of 2010

Our amazing matriarch, Carol Jeannine (Prichard) (Dunwell) Dahl, died on April 13, 2025. We had just celebrated her 95th birthday.

Jeannine was born March 19, 1930, in Concordia, Kansas, and grew up in the wheat fields and chicken yards of the Sunflower State.

She retained the stoic optimism of wheat farmers who scan the sky for rain, the Depression-era fear of waste that borders on hoarding, memories of grit coming through wet sheets hung over the doorway during the Dust Bowl, a commitment to neighbors upon which survival depended, and an ability to find joy wherever she landed.

She was the daughter of two devoted educators, Harley Prichard and Ida Keller, and had one brother, Harold, now gone. She attended the University of Kansas on an academic scholarship, where she shouted, “Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk,” waved the wheat at football games and studied at the KU Medical Center to become a nurse.

She became a psychiatric nurse, earned a master’s and doctorate, and taught at multiple universities, including Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University and the University of Hawaii. She supervised students at the Arizona State Hospital and led educational tours to the Soviet Union and China.

In the 1980s, she was the Director of Nursing at Phoenix Camelback Hospital, which served adolescents.

She was married twice, the first time to Robert Dunwell, now gone, who gave her two daughters, and then to Richard Dahl, also gone, who started the law library at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. Richard gave her two stepsons, who, along with their families, were the most loving, interesting, accomplished and caring blended family you could ask for. Together she was a mother, stepmother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

When she moved to Arizona in the 1970s, she joined the U.S. Army Reserves, spending weekends training with fellow nurses and doctors in the 403rd Combat Support Hospital, similar in spirit to the fictitious MASH unit inhabited by Hawkeye and Trapper John. She loved it when people called her Hot Lips. The unit was activated for Desert Storm and spent months on the Iraq/Kuwait border in 1991, treating hundreds of U.S. troops and prisoners of war. She was proud of her service and her later induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

She also joined the American Red Cross, serving in many disasters, including in the New Jersey center after 9/11, and with Hurricane Katrina survivors brought to the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 2005, as well as responding to floods, ice storms, tornadoes and forest fires.

She was kind and funny and adventurous and courageous, a wild extrovert, a charming flirt and always the life of the party. She loved a good joke and a cheap glass of wine. She sorely grieved the death of her beloved Boston Terrier, Duffy.

She was adored by everyone, and we will all miss her terribly.

Survivors include her daughters, Nancy Dunwell of Phoenix, and Judy (Tom) Nichols of Phoenix, stepsons, Barry (Leslie) Dahl, of Longview, Washington, and Kevin (BAM) Dahl of Tucson, grandchildren Nate Nichols, Brian Dahl, Alexandra (David) McElwee, Emily Dahl, Joe Dahl and Ian Dahl, and great-grandchildren Eleanor and Oliver McElwee and nephews Ron (Missy) Prichard, Robert Prichard and Kevin (Diane) Kokrda.

A celebration of her life will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 9, at the Scottsdale Elks Lodge, 6398 E. Oak St., Scottsdale, AZ 85257.