Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

I want to thank all of you for your support these past months since my daughter Lisa passed away in December.  This experience has only reinforced to me how important our Flags for Families program is.  What gets grieving families through is knowing that their loved one was valued and cared about.  That they as family members were part of someone’s life who made a difference in this world.  My daughter had Downs Syndrome so you might think how could she make a difference?    I was overwhelmed at her Celebration of Life at how many individuals lives she had impacted and changed for the better.  As I read the Citation and present the encased Arizona Flag to our members families, I can feel that pride and the gratitude that their loved one was recognized for what they did by being inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.  They had affected many lives and made the world a better place. Thank you to all our members who attended the funerals and celebrations of life even when you did not know the member personally.  The honor you show a fellow veteran and their family does not go unnoticed. 

Also thank you to everyone who attended the membership meeting in January and to welcome our newest board member Frank Alger who was sworn in at the meeting.  Frank has already jumped in and will be taking over the Sergeant At Arms position.  Unfortunately, Nate Carr was in the hospital at that time but will be sworn in during our March meeting.   We are so fortunate to have these two dedicated veterans on the board.

Patricia Little-Upah
President, Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society
patupah@gmail.com
(480)226-4454

Alger, Franklin William, Jr.

Nate Carr

We want to give special recognition to Roy McClymonds who for many years served as the head of our Country Store and was our Sergeant At Arms.  Roy served on the Patriotic Awards Committee year after year and was vital to the set up of that event.  While Roy is no longer on the Board he will continue his ongoing support for the Society.

One of our strategic goals this year was to expand our public relations.  We have updated our brochures, developed a power point presentation, and created a video.   To view or share the new AVHOFS Video with others, please use this link: https://avhof.org/avhofs-video/.  Thank you to our patriotic supporter Gene Ganselle who made all of us in the video look and sound like professionals.  We have postcards for the Our Success is Your Success Support program and a new display tablecloth with our logo on it.   A number of our members have used these materials to do presentations on the AVHOFS to organizations where they belong. The video is posted on our AVHOF.Org website. 

A special shout out to Vice President Karen Craig who is once again spearheading the organization of our 19th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  This is going to be another amazing event for our members and the community so get your tickets now as they are going quickly.  Karen sent out Save the Date cards but a number of them have been returned as not deliverable to the address we have on file.  I have emailed each of them and received updates from some of you.  It is vital that if your email, phone number or address changes that you let the Society know.  

As you are aware from past newsletters board member Paul Smiley has over-sited getting our West Side members together as has board member Clyde Meade for northern Arizona members and Tom Hessler for our southern Arizona members.   We are now organizing a East Side members coffee.  This will take place on Saturday morning March 28th from 9A.M. to 11A.M., so hold that date.  Thank you to Jim Monroe who has secured a beautiful upper patio at the Aqua Tot’s facility at 1122 S. Greenfield Rd.  Mesa, Az 85206.  The Aqua Tots facility is on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building which houses Uncle Bears – Grill & Tap.   We will be sending out additional information and a map. 

MESA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Several members of the Society attended the Mesa Citizens of the Year Awards where AVHOFS board secretary Ron Williams class of 2022 received the Mesa Man of the Year Award.  Ron was recognized for his leadership in statewide initiatives spanning entrepreneurship, and small business growth, which have earned him wide acclaim, reflecting his lasting impact on Arizona’s economic landscape.  Ron has chaired the Mesa General Plan Advisory Committee, Mesa Human Relations Advisory and Mesa For All Foundation boards.  He has also been the recipient of the Mesa Mike Whalen Spirit of Community Service Award and the Arizona MLK Lifetime Achievement Award.  We congratulate Ron on his ongoing achievements and commitment to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.

19th ANNUAL PATRIOTIC AWARDS LUNCHEON

Karen Craig AVHOFS VP Class of 2020

Friday, May 1, 2026
Doubletree by Hilton - Mesa
1011 W. Holmes (US 60 & Alma School Road), Mesa, AZ

Tickets can be purchased for the luncheon using the button below, or you can go to the AVHOFS website at any time to get more information and purchase your tickets.

TICKETS!

During the event, the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society and Unified Arizona Veterans will recognize their 2026 Copper Award and Scholarship recipients, and the Society will also recognize an outstanding VA employee from each of the three Arizona medical centers.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Copper Award recipients:

UAV Copper Star:  Clarence "Joe" Larson, ADVS

Copper Sword: The Honorable Judge Jeffrey Singer,
Magistrate for the Kingman Veterans Treatment Court

Copper Eagle (Business): USAA

Copper Eagle (Organization): Veterans Affinity

We also look forward to hearing remarks from this year's Keynote Speaker, Major General Michael "Mick" McGuire, USAF (Retired), former Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard.

Early Bird ticket prices are currently available for $45 per person for Hall of Fame members and one guest, and $55 per person for all non-HOF members and other guests. Early bird pricing ends on April 4th, and General Admission or "last chance" tickets will be available until April 20th at a price of $50 for HOF members and one guest, and $65 per person for all others.

Please note that seating at this venue is limited to 350 guests so don't delay -- once we reach max capacity, we will close ticket sales.  Additional information about the event and tickets can be found on the Zeffy ticket site we are utilizing this year -- we encourage buyers to review the "About - More Details" section on our ticket site and read the instructions before selecting your tickets. Please note that Zeffy is a ticket platform designed to provide 100% of the event proceeds to the non-profit organization using it, and therefore, they ask that the customer make a donation to cover the service fees and cost of running the platform. If you do not want to make a donation to Zeffy, you’ll need to opt out and change the donation to 0, before making your ticket purchase.

Please see the PAL Flyer below or check our website at www.avhof.org to get more information. On our website, you will find a link to make lodging reservations at the Doubletree by Hilton-Mesa, if you'd like to stay at the event location. A fillable Registration Form can also be found on our website for guests who prefer to pay by check and mail in the registration form.

Additionally, sponsorship opportunities for the Patriotic Awards Luncheon are available through April 1st. A copy of the Sponsorship flyer can be found on www.avhof.org. Questions regarding PAL Sponsorship should be referred to Gordon James at gjames@gcjpr.com or by phone at 602-274-1988.

Please feel free to share all this information with others who would be interested and follow us on the AVHOFS Facebook and Instagram pages where more details will be posted as they become available! We look forward to seeing you at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon on May 1st as we recognize these very deserving patriots and scholars!

Thank you!

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

ARIZONA VETERANS HONOR TOUR FUNDRAISER

Nancy Fassbender AVHOFS Director Class of 2020

We are also excited to announce another fundraising initiative designed to benefit our veterans without any financial cost to participants—just a small investment of your valuable time.

Your privacy is important to us. The organization will not sell your name or email address. During registration, you will be asked to provide your name and email address solely for tracking the number of surveys you complete. Optionally, you may register your cell phone, which will be used to send reminders about how many vendors you have left to survey in your allotted 75.

On March 9th at 10am, you can log on with this link:
programs.hundredx.com/givewithoutspendingor you can sign up on your phone by texting to 90412 and type in DFG and send. You will register with your name and email address. Once registered, you can choose from over 5,000 vendors—including well-known companies like Best Buy—to complete surveys.
Each survey consists of five questions, such as:

• Were you greeted at the door?
• Was the item in stock?
• Were you thanked for coming in?

You will respond to each question by selecting either a happy face or a sad face, providing an easy and intuitive way to share your feedback.

You may complete up to 25 vendor surveys per day, with a maximum of 75 surveys per registered name and email address. This is a national fundraiser, so friends and family members across the United States can participate as well.

For each vendor survey you complete, our organization earns $1.60. Completing all 75 surveys will result in a $120.00 contribution. The survey period runs for 30 days, starting on March 9th and ending on April 7th. Please do not log in before or it does not count!

This fundraiser offers a fun and meaningful way to support veterans and make a difference. Grab your coffee, relax in your favorite chair, and enjoy helping your community! A Raffle will be drawn each week for those who answer 25 or more questions. And at the end of the month for those who have completed 50 or more Vendor surveys!!!

I can be reached at veteranseventsaz@gmail.com or call me at 520-280-4715. Thank you so much for your support.

Nancy Fassbender, Director Arizona Veterans Honor Tour

VETERAN RECEIVES A REPLACEMENT PURPLE HEART EARLIER LOST

Frank Alger, member of the Arzona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Board of Directors, joined a special ceremony on the morning of February 28, 2026 at the Gila County Historical Museum in Globe, Arizona, where a long-overdue honor was restored to a Korean War veteran.  

The Post Commander, working alongside Mr. Jeron Velasco, the VFW Department of Arizona’s High School Teacher of the Year from Dishchii’bikoh High School in Cibecue, partnered with the school’s History Club to replace the Purple Heart belonging to Mr. Homer Beatty. His original medal had been lost in a fire years earlier, and Post 9907—together with VFW District 6—was honored to help restore this significant military award.

The replacement Purple Heart was formally presented by Mr. Jeff Timm, Director of Military and Veterans Services for Congressman Eli Crane (AZ-02). Also in attendance were Hugues Byrne, VFW Department of Arizona Junior Vice Commander, and members of the American Legion, underscoring the strong inter organizational support for veterans across the region.

Frank represented the AVHOFS coin to Mr. Jeron Velascoto in honor of his service and Thank him for all that he has done for his community.

	Following the ceremony, students from Dishchii’bikoh High School unveiled a “Heroes of Cibecue” book and photo exhibit—an impressive tribute created by the History Club to honor local veterans and preserve community history.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Othell (Tim) Newbill AVHOFS Chaplain Class of 2024

AVHOFS members you have done and continue to support our current military personnel, Veterans, Retired Veterans and their families. You continue to find ways to encourage, lift up, educate, support and provide hope. Let us continue to inspire others to share their gifts with our Veterans that may be struggling. Whether their challenge be homelessness, addiction, PTSD, unemployment let us continue to be mindful of their needs. Let us continue in humility to count others more significant than ourselves.

Blessings and thanks to you all,

Othell Newbill
Chaplain
AVHOFS

Sheree Bigge AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2023

The Century Club Scholarship Fund is the program that is funded by our AZ Veterans Hall of Fame Society members and exists to support the scholarships which are awarded by the Society each spring at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon (PAL).  The recipients of these scholarships are veteran scholars and high school students who participate in the Imprints of Honor program.

The current fiscal year (FY) goal for donations by Society members is budgeted at $12,000.   Through 15 February, the amount of donations to the Century Club totaled $5400.  A table below indicates the members and the various levels of donation. 

As we are well below our goal for the upcoming PAL when the scholarships are presented, please consider making your tax-deductible donation.  It is an honor to be a member of the AZ Veterans Hall of Fame and each member can make a difference to the recipients by your generosity.  Please donate to support this program.

There are several ways in which 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 .  You will receive confirmation once received.

Thanks for your generosity to the Century Club Scholarship program.  All levels of contribution are appreciated.

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

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

Adam Garrard AVHOFS Quartermaster Class of 2020

Adam Garrard
Quartermaster
Class of 2020

Stewart Fraiser
Class of 2016

Stewart Fraiser passed away on December 31, 2025 at age 93. He was born on May 27, 1932 in Lake Wales, Florida, a small town surrounded by orange groves and many lakes. It was there in the swamps and woods with his buddies that he developed his lifelong love of fishing, hunting and the outdoors.

After completing high school in 1950, Stewart enlisted in the Marine Corps looking for a life of adventure following his brother Bill, who had enlisted in the Air Force and his sister Louise, who enlisted in the Navy.

Stewart achieved a distinguished military career raising in rank from Private to Staff NCO, to Warrant Officer to Commissioned Officer. He retired in 1977 with the rank of Major of Marines. Over his career he performed varied duties as a Drill Instructor at Paris Island, Brig Warden, Crew Chief of Armored Tanks and Supply/Disposal Officer. Like most career Marines, his assignments took him around the world from the East and West Costs of America to Okinawa, Japan, Nam Phuong, Thailand and many others.

His personal decorations and awards included the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Drill Instructors Medal, Naval Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and numerous Certificates of Commendation.
During his service in Okinawa he met a young attractive school teacher that he aggressively courted and married. Naoma became his lifelong roommate, travel companion, soul mate and best friend. Naoma passed away in June, 2025 and Stewart never recovered from her loss.

Following retirement from the Armed Forces, Stewart embarked on a business adventure as an owner of a Snap Tool franchise in the Phoenix, Arizona area. After this highly successful entrepreneurial occupation, he and Naoma relocated to the countryside north of Mayer, Arizona to build a ranch from scratch in the middle of nowhere complete with ranch hacienda, cattle, horses and many dogs. From there he renewed and savored his love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing and exploring remote areas all over Arizona. During this time Naoma and Stewart were able to travel extensively and visit many countries around the world and many destinations throughout America.

Stewart was very active in many community, civic and veterans organizations such as the VFW, DAV, Military Officers Association, Elks, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Drill Instructors Association, Tanker Association and many more in which he actively participated, contributed significantly and rose to leadership positions. He was particularly active in the Marine Corps League and Order of Devil Dogs serving at the local, state and national level where he received numerous personal decorations and awards including the National Gold Medal and being named Arizona Marine of the Year and Arizona Devil Dog of the Year.

He was recognized with the prestigious National Medal of Valor from the Four Chaplains Society and was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.

During his forty years in Arizona, Stewart promoted a culture of respect for authority, patriotism, recognizing and awarding superior performance in others, responsibility for his own actions and giving back to others. He concentrated his time to assist and provide benefits to other military veterans and their families in Arizona and around the United States.

Stewart was very friendly to everyone and was highly respected by all for his extreme level of honesty, integrity, and self-discipline.

His wisdom, knowledge and opinions were sought in challenging situations and his was always the right path forward.
Stewart is survived by eight nieces and two nephews.

Memorial services for Stewart will be held on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with full Military Honors at the Chapel on the campus of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Following the service, his remains will be inurned and joined with those of Naoma in the Memorial Wall at the Prescott National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Stewart’s memory to the Marine Corps League, Detachment 906.

Please send checks to PO Box 1775, Prescott, Arizona, 86301.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martin Stewart Fraiser, please visit our flower store.

Lewis (Lew) Bradley
Class of 2008

Born in East St. Louis, Illinois in 1933. Entered U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. Served as crew chief in Air Sea Rescue in Korea; discharged from active duty in 1954 with rank of Sergeant. Began employment with Garrett AI Research in 1954 in airplane engine repair and inspection working in Asia, returned to US in 1994 in customer service; retired to Chandler in 1996. Serves as Commander for Korean War Veterans (KWVA) Arden A. Rowley Chapter; serves on honor guard and represents KWVA at events. Received Kiwanis Kachina and Hixon awards for activities in Kiwanis Club of Chandler; honored by Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn for service. Participates in Adopt-a-Park, Make-a-Wish, and East Valley Military Support Group. Past president of Tempe Young Republicans. Charter member of East Valley Marine Corps League

Richard (Dick) Jonas
Class of 2016

Born in East St. Louis, Illinois in 1933. Entered U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. Served as crew chief in Air Sea Rescue in Korea; discharged from active duty in 1954 with rank of Sergeant. Began employment with Garrett AI Research in 1954 in airplane engine repair and inspection working in Asia, returned to US in 1994 in customer service; retired to Chandler in 1996. Serves as Commander for Korean War Veterans (KWVA) Arden A. Rowley Chapter; serves on honor guard and represents KWVA at events. Received Kiwanis Kachina and Hixon awards for activities in Kiwanis Club of Chandler; honored by Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn for service. Participates in Adopt-a-Park, Make-a-Wish, and East Valley Military Support Group. Past president of Tempe Young Republicans. Charter member of East Valley Marine Corps League

Eldora Engebretson
Class of 2002

Born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1940. Enlisted in U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps in 1961, served on active duty until 1964, in U.S. Army Reserve until 1968 when she was denied reenlistment due to asthma. A resident of Arizona since 1996, she continues to serve a myriad of organizations such as Ronald McDonald House; Hope’s Closet, a battered women’s shelter; her homeowner’s association; her Church; the American Legion; and the Women In Military Service For America (WIMSA). As Editor of The Saguaro Sun, played a major role in the establishment of the U.S. Vets Program, a transitional housing program for homeless veterans. Served 2000-02 as National President of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association (WACVA), the only women veteran’s organization that is federally chartered by the United States Congress. WACVA emphasizes VA hospital volunteer work and community service in the local, state, national and international communities.