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| Issue 3 - August 2025 | ||||||||||||
| PRESIDENT'S NOTES | ||||||||||||
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. With temperatures still high, it is hard to believe that we are already approaching fall and hopefully some cooler weather. The Board took a break from its regular meeting schedule for July and August but has remained hard at work on projects and upcoming events. We were excited to learn the names of our soon- to- be new members being inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame on October 24th. We extend a welcoming hand into the Society to the following inductees. LaShauna Baker, USA, Phoenix Kathleen M. Buonocore, USA, Sierra Vista Carl B. Forkner, USN, Mesa Kathryn Gallowitz, USAF, Rio Verde Larry Jackson, USAF, Peoria Bruce Kosaveach, USN, Fountain Hills Graciela Marroquin, USA, Chandler Frederick Mueller, USA, Sierra Vista, (posthumous) Alan Martell Powell, USA, Phoenix Rodney T. Preuss, USA, Sierra Vista Cheryl Klouzal Schmidt, USA, Peoria Arthur Herschel Sharf, USA, Chandler William Frank Simon, USA, Litchfield Park Trisha Thompson, USA, Sierra Vista, (held over from 2024) Thomas Richard Winkel, USMC, Phoenix While most of you are aware that Unified Arizona Veterans is in charge of the nomination process and the induction ceremony, the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society is responsible for the morning VIP reception. We encourage all members to attend this morning continental breakfast event for free. We recognize a person who has been a major support to the inductee and present them with a support pin from the Society. It is a time where we encourage our members to get to know the new inductees and welcome them into the Society. To attend the luncheon and induction ceremonies you must purchase a ticket. See information at: azuav.org On July 1st we officially kicked off our newest program “Our Success is Your Success Support Program.” This program was conceived in keeping with the Society’s mission. This program will provide support to selected organizations who provide services, programs, or assistance to Arizona veterans, military service members, as well as their families and survivors. Applications are not accepted from individuals seeking assistance. Instead, the Society will award funds to Veteran Service Organizations and other established organizations to support their veteran/military focused programs or projects that the Society deems appropriate for funding. Funds will be awarded based on demonstrated need and will be subject to the Society’s established annual funding cap. It is expected that multiple applications will be funded during each cycle with the maximum of ten thousand dollars awarded to any one request. The Society will conduct two application cycles annually: 1 July – 30 September and 1 April – 30 June. For more information and to apply go to our website. There has been much interest in this program, and we have received a number of applications. Please help us spread the word. We are currently accepting nominations for our coveted Copper Awards presented at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon scheduled for May 1, 2026. The nominations are open until October 31st and can be filled out online at our website. We give out two Copper Eagle awards: one for a business and one for a non-profit organization or foundation. Our Copper Sword goes to an individual who is not a Veteran, but has gone above and beyond to support our Veterans, military and the great state of Arizona. I know that each of you know businesses, organizations and individuals who deserve these awards. Please pass on information about the Copper Awards to the organizations that you belong too. The Society has developed a slide presentation on who we are and what we are doing. We are also doing a video which should be completed in early October. Both of these will be wonderful tools to enhance our outreach to veterans organizations and the community. We had a table at the American Legion State Convention in Chandler and would like to have displays at similar events around Arizona. Thank you to Clyde Meade, President of the Prescott chapter of MOAA, for inviting me to speak about the Society at their August meeting. Thank you to Karen Craig for putting together two new memorial wreaths, one for Southern Arizona which Tom Hessler will keep and one for Northern Arizona which Clyde Meade will have. We will continue to present the Phoenix wreath at ceremonies here in the Phoenix area as appropriate. We have a date and place for the 2026 Patriotic Awards Luncheon which will be held on May 1, 2026 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tempe. This is a great venue with plenty of free parking and space for us to spread out in their convention center. If you have any questions or would like to be part of the PAL committee, please reach out to Karen Craig or myself. The passing of member Kenneth King, Class of 2021, is once again a reminder to please fill out the information form on the website. It can be very time consuming trying to connect with the family members, when you do not have that information, to arrange the Society presentation of the Arizona Flag. Honoring those who have passed is one of our main initiatives, and we do not want any member and their family to not have the opportunity to participate in this program. Form I look forward to seeing all of you at the Induction Ceremony October 24th. Until then stay safe and continue the good work. Patricia Little-Upah President, AVHOFS (480)226-4454 patupah@gmail.com |
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STATE HOME OUTREACH INITIATIVE PROGRAM |
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August 27th, 2025: The Quarterly Yuma Veteran State Home OIP outing was held at Brewers Restaurant. About thirty (30) Veteran residents/Staff attended this luncheon. I am being told that the Vets are counting down the days until we can get together again to share great food, drink, desert and many Service stories to our United States of America. September 8th, 2025: The Quarterly Phoenix Veteran State Home OIP Outback Luncheon will be held at the Paradise Valley Outback Restaurant. Transportation via the van estimates that 18 Vets/Staff will be participating. The Satisfaction Questionnaire given at the last outing overwhelmingly indicated satisfaction and a desire/interest for more such future events. It was unanimously agreed to have future Quarterly outings at Outback Restaurant. We aim to please. Respectfully, Christeen Verchot, PhD, Lt. Col. USAF NC (retired) Class of 2021 |
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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER |
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May God continue to bless you as you continue the various acts of kindness, concern, love and care. Thank each of YOU for your service and your willingness to continue serving others. Many Blessings, Othell Newbill III AVHOFS Chaplain
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NORTH CENTRAL ROUND-UP |
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COCHISE COUNTY CHAPTER HAPPENINGS |
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MEMORIAL DAY |
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Many AVHOFS members attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SAVMC). The keynote speaker was Major General Jacqueline D. McPhail, Commanding General of the Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) at Fort Huachuca. Joe Larson, SAVMC Administrator, read the Governor’s Memorial Day Proclamation, while Mayor Clea McCaa, of Sierra Vista, read his proclamation. The AVHOFS Cochise County Chapter was one of 21 local organizations that presented their colors. There were approximately 250 citizens in attendance.
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| TREASURER’S NOTES | ||||||||||||
You can make your donations directly on the AZ Hall of Fame Society website, (www.AVHOF.org), by mail (P.O. Box 7650 S McClintock Dr, Ste 103-443, Tempe, 85284) or send via Zelle to Treasurer.AVHOFS@gmail.com. Thanks for your donations. All levels of contribution are appreciated.
If desire to contact me directly, sheree.bigge@gmail.com or 623-680-3016. The Treasurer email is also active: Treasurer.AVHOFS@gmail.com |
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Adam Garrard |
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| WEBSITES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO VISIT | ||||||||||||
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| IN MEMORY OF | ||||||||||||
| 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.
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William (Bill) Pakinkis
With a heavy heart, we remember and honor William (Bill) Pakinkis, a remarkable individual whose life was devoted to service, community, and the preservation of our history. Bill passed away peacefully on May 8th, surrounded by the love and support of his devoted wife, Vicky. |
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Harold Stern
(1932-2025) Born Morrison, Illinois in 1932. Entered Medic, U.S. Army in 1952, discharged in 1954 with rank of Corporal. Employed 20 years in vending; retired in 1997 from Sands Motor Company. Served five terms as Commander for American Legion Post 94; instrumental in naming the Post in honor of Mary Ellen Piotrowski. Member of the Post Honor Guard performing final honors for more than 15 years. Team leader to display five miles of flags in Sun City West on national holidays. Served 2 years as Commander of North West Valley Veterans Association: Active in West Valley Chapter,Korean War Veterans; Elected Az. 2013 State Commander for Korean War Veterans Association: member of Sun City West Sheriff’s Posse, for over 15 years; served for 3 years on the Board of Directors as a Lieutenant. Over 14,000 hours of service to the community: search and rescue, emergency fire call-outs, traffic details, and extra shifts. Selected a “Posse Person of the Year” for 2002. |
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Kenneth D. King
(1947-2025) Born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma in 1947, Ken King is a retired Chief Petty Officer, US Navy. Ken worked for Qwest (now CenturyLink) for 38 years, retiring as a supervisor. As an active and dedicated member of The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ken supports programs related to homelessness, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a parent and foster parent, Ken has provided programs for children and youth in the community; he organized a Scout troop and served as Cub Pack Master and Den Leader. Ken is actively involved in leading junior shooting sports and oratorical programs throughout the State. He has worked with churches to support single parents to provide education opportunities and employment for their children. Ken King has helped to raise over $6,000 each year for nursing scholarships for young adults. |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||||||||
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| EDITOR'S NOTE | ||||||||||||
| Many of our Society members are very active in their communities. You are invited to send me copy-ready articles with good quality pictures of our “members in action”. Be sure to identify the people in the pictures.We will select articles as space allows. Please send to me (Tom Hessler) at tjhessler@cox.net. | ||||||||||||
