Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 7

First Edition �Eighth Issue

Providing a forum for veterans to share information, resources, and events important to the veterans and their families of Arizona.

Summer 2015

Inside this issue:

Countdown to Victory

Part 2

Arizona Veteran's Hall

of Fame Society's

9th Annual Patriotic Gala

240th Army Birthday and

Flag Day Luncheon

Tuskegee Airmen

Commemoration Day

Memorial Day at the National

Cemetery of Arizona

The Battle of Midway

Remembrance Day

in Arizona

The Arizona Veterans Connec�on’s purpose and

goal is to connect veterans and their families

with informa�on and ac�vi�es of importance

and relevance to the veteran community.

We will be diligent to provide a pla orm to

share the history and legacy of Arizona veterans,

past, present, and future, ul�mately as a

resource to all who serve or have served.

If you would like to place an

advertisement in this publication,

please contact Marion Cartland at:

[email protected]

Or call 602-885-7038

Visit us on www.h"p://azveteransconnec�on.org/ - h"ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON

Marion Cartland Publisher - Editor

Photographer

MGySgt Robert A. Flores USMC (Ret.)

Herb Zinn

Military Historian

Joe Fletcher, Chaplain White Tank Mountain Detachment #1246

Art Sloane

MCPO, Coast Guard Ret

Susan Kee, Korean American Writer

Jeanne J. Blaes, PhD

Col USA Ret

Roger C. Ellis Bugler

Arizona Veterans Connec�on Page 2

Staff Box

Contributors

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Dear Lord, We honor our veterans, worthy men and

women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will

bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the con�n-ual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and

our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contri-

bu�ons to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Joe Fletcher, Chaplain

Courtesy of the “K-Bar News”

White Tank Mountain Detachment #1246

In regards to the front cover:

The graphic was designed by

Marion Cartland,

featuring Aurora a bald eagle.

The eagle is kept at Liberty Wildlife,

an animal rescue and rehabilita�on

group in Sco"sdale, Az.

Volunteer with the Arizona Capitol Museum

You can become a capitol museum volunteer.

Museum Ambassador:

Du�es of an Ambassador includes welcoming museum visitors, providing direc�ons and informa�on about the museum and sur-rounding offices, assis�ng guests and staff at the front desk or roving the museum floors and answering ques�ons about our exhibits.

Museum Store Volunteer:

A Store Volunteer assists with souvenir merchandise, provides infor-ma�on about the museum, and helps staff with day to day opera-�ons of the Museum Store.

Special Events Volunteers:

Special Events Volunteers greet museum visitors, provide direc�ons, distribute brochures, and assist staff with setup and cleanup at spe-cial events.

Museum Hours of Opera�on:

Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

(Saturday hours available only Sept. – May)

Loca�on:

The Arizona Capitol Museum is located between 17th and 18th Avenue and West Adams and West Jefferson Streets, under the Copper Dome – Once the Arizona Territorial Capitol and in 1912 the First State Capitol. As a capitol museum volunteer, you receive the following benefits:

- Professional orienta�on and training

- A suppor�ve climate where volunteers can perform and grow

- Previews of new exhibits

- Regular social events to meet with peers

- 20 percent discount on all store purchases Contact Informa�on at the Arizona Capitol Museum:

You may contact Robert Flores at the below contact phone numbers or via email.

Robert A. Flores

1700 W. Washington St. 4th floor.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: (602) 926-3827

Cell: (602) 515-6373

Email: [email protected]

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, s�ll bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, May 1915

Page 3

Arizona Veterans Connec�on

A special two-hour ceremony to commemorate the BaMle of

Midway was held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, June 5, 2015, in the historic Senate Chamber at the State Capitol Museum in Phoe-

nix. Marshall Trimble, noted American author, singer, professor and Arizona's official state historian, presided over the event as

Master of Ceremonies. AMendees heard a presenta�on by local

military historian Herb Zinn about the events leading up to and occurring during and aOer the historic naval engagement. There

was a special appearance by Jack Holder (93), a Pearl Harbor

survivor and par�cipant in the Midway baMle who recounted his experiences; and re�red Navy Rear Admiral Hugh Dennis Wisely,

decorated Naval Aviator, former member of the Navy's Blue Angels aerial acroba�cs team and Captain of the aircraO carrier,

U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, who spoke to the importance of naval

avia�on and its future as a necessary ingredient in the Na�on's defense. The commemora�on also honored the memory of En-

sign John C. Butler, Jr. an Arizona na�ve, who piloted a Daunt-

less dive bomber as a member of Bombing Squadron 3, assigned to the U. S. S. Yorktown during the baMle. Ensign Butler was

killed in ac�on on the aOernoon of June 4, 1942 as his squadron aMacked the remaining Japanese aircraO carrier, the Hiryu. For

his gallantry, Ensign Butler was posthumously awarded the Navy

Cross, the Navy's highest honor. A destroyer escort was later named in his honor, which fought in other major engagements

in the Pacific War. Butler's niece, Ms. Leslie Krum�nger, was on

hand to accept the Governor's Proclama�on on behalf of the Butler family.

A Proclama�on was issued by the Office of the Governor, desig-na�ng June 5, 2015 as "BaMle of Midway Remembrance Day" in

Arizona. The declara�on recognizes the significance of the World

War II baMle in the Pacific as a turning point in the historic con-flict with Japan and iden�fies the contribu�ons made by Arizo-

nans to the successful outcome of one of the most crucial naval

baMles of the pacific war, in par�cular, the gallantry of Navy En-sign John C. Butler.

The BaMle of Midway has been designated by the Chief of Naval

Opera�ons as one of the two most important dates in the histo-ry of the United States Navy, the other being the establishment

of the Navy on October 13, 1775. On June 4, 1942, barely six months following the crippling surprise aMack on the U.S. Pacific

Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a supposedly superior force of

Japanese naval units aMacked the U.S. naval base at Midway Atoll, 1,300 miles northwest of Hawaii. The aMack was a bid to

capture the base and annihilate the remaining American naval

units in the Pacific, thus paving the way for an invasion of the Hawaiian Islands. The Japanese hoped that with this stroke, its

rivalry with the United States in the Pacific would come to an end, with a nego�ated peace seMlement that saw the Japanese

as the dominant power in the Pacific. Instead, American forces

ambushed the Japanese fleet on June 4, resul�ng in the sinking of four of Japan's front-line aircraO carriers which played a ma-

jor role in Japan’s success thus far in Pacific expansion -- includ-

ing the Pearl Harbor aMack. The BaMle of Midway is considered by historians to be the turning point in the Pacific War with Ja-

pan, signaling the end to Japanese expansion and the beginning of a relentless drive to defeat the Japanese which concluded

with the uncondi�onal surrender of Japan's forces in Tokyo Bay

on September 2, 1945.

The Ceremony was the result of collabora�on among a group of

Phoenix-based organiza�ons, including the BaMle of Midway

Commemora�on CommiMee, the Arizona Capitol Museum and the Arizona Capitol Museum Guild. The BaMle of Midway Com-

memora�on CommiMee is an ad hoc group of organiza�ons, including the Arizona Veterans Connec�on Magazine, the United

States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Arizona Capitol Museum

Guild. The CommiMee oversees the annual presenta�on of the Midway commemora�on. Its mission it is to provide for the pub-

lic's con�nuing educa�on about this important historic event in

the Second World War and the state's rela�onship with it.

GOVERNOR DUCEY PROCLAIMS JUNE 5, 2015 AS

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY REMEMBRANCE DAY IN ARIZONA

Vernon West, USA Ret. singing the Na�onal Anthem

Chaplain Schumacher, USA Ret. giving the invoca�on

U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps - Phoenix Division pos�ng the colors

Presenta�on - The story of Midway by Herb Zinn

Special Guest Speaker Rear Admiral Hugh Dennis Wisely , US Navy (Ret)

Jack Holder, Pearl Harbor Survivor , par�cipant of the Ba0le of Midway in the Pacific.

Marshall Trimble, presen�ng Leslie Butler Krum�nger (niece of John C. Butler) with a copy of the proclama�on


This year’s Induction Ceremony will recognize the Class of 2015: This year’s Induction Ceremony will recognize the Class of 2015: This year’s Induction Ceremony will recognize the Class of 2015: This year’s Induction Ceremony will recognize the Class of 2015:

John R. Ady, ScoMsdale, US Army veteran Sharon A. “Lee” Borgen, Lake Havasu City, U.S. Navy & Marine Corps veteran

Jeanne A. Botwright, Apache Junc�on, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Henry A. Brown, Phoenix, U.S. Army veteran

Patrick J. Connell, Peoria, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dylan J. DalzoMo, Phoenix, U.S. Army veteran

Robert S. Delsi, Casa Grande, U.S. Marine Corps veteran James “Doc” Dougherty, Peoria, U.S. Army veteran Dorn P. “Pat” Farrell, Kingman, U.S. Navy veteran

Robert T. “Bob” Hysko, Phoenix, U.S. Army veteran Andres Jaime Jr., ScoMsdale, U.S. Army & Air Force veteran

Gordon C. James, ScoMsdale, U.S. Army veteran Bobby Jones, Avondale, U.S. Navy veteran

Clarence “Shorty” Larson, Sierra Vista, U.S. Army veteran Richard D. Lemons, Tucson, U.S. Air Force veteran

Michael Joe MaLoon, Huachuca City, U.S. Navy veteran Paul G. Marsh, Tucson, U.S. Army veteran

Manuel M. Rodriguez, Yuma, U.S. Army veteran, posthumous Pete A. Rosales, Phoenix, U.S. Army & Marine Corps veteran

William G. “Bill” Roscher, Phoenix, U.S. Army veteran Michael A. Roy, Peoria, U.S. Marine Corps veteran

James G. Sylvester, Eloy, U.S. Air Force veteran Robert "Bob" Turpin, Phoenix, U.S. Navy veteran

Robert H. Walters, Surprise, U.S. Air Force veteran William F. "Billy" Weldon, Flagstaff, U.S. Army veteran

Medal of Honor Recipients to be included in the Class of 2015:Medal of Honor Recipients to be included in the Class of 2015:Medal of Honor Recipients to be included in the Class of 2015:Medal of Honor Recipients to be included in the Class of 2015:

Benjamin Brown, Sergeant, U. S. Army, for bravery in Arizona, May 11, 1889 Robert S. ScoM, Private, U.S. Army, for gallantry in ac�on, Chiricahua Mountains, AZ, October 20, 1869

Major General (then-First Lieutenant) Leonard Wood, surgeon, U.S. Army, for bravery in the Apache Campaign, Summer 1886

Veterans and the public are invited to the Induc�on Ceremony, which includes lunch. The cost is $50 per person un�l September

30, 2015. From October 1 to October 12, the lunch cost changes to $60. Commencing September 1, 2015, informa�on about the Induc�on Ceremony event will be posted at: www.azuav.org. Lunch Reserva�ons will also be accepted at: www.azuav.org un�l

4:30 pm, Monday, October 12. Veterans and the public who do not have access to the web site should forward names, lunch en-trée choices (Beef/Chicken/Vegetarian), and check or money order payable to: Unified Arizona Veterans, and postmarked no later

than October 12, 2015, to: Unified Arizona Veterans, P.O. Box 34338, Phoenix 85067, AMn: Treasurer. All lunches are pre-paid,

lunches will not be sold at the Induc�on Ceremony event. For general informa�on about the Induc�on Ceremony and Luncheon, contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: [email protected], telephone 602.943.7834;

or Rob Welch, Chair, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: cel�[email protected], telephone 480.292.5822.

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame to Induct

A New Class of 28 Veterans in Ceremonies A New Class of 28 Veterans in Ceremonies A New Class of 28 Veterans in Ceremonies A New Class of 28 Veterans in Ceremonies

October 23, 2015October 23, 2015October 23, 2015October 23, 2015

The annual Induc�on Ceremony of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) will take place on Friday, October 23rd, from 11:30

a.m. un�l 2:00 p.m. at the Phoenix MarrioM Tempe at The BuMes, 2000 W. Westcourt Way, Tempe 85282. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 by the Unified Arizona Veterans, Inc., located in Phoenix, Arizona, and

recognized by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, and the Office of the Governor. AVHOF Induc�on Ceremony honors Arizona veterans who have honorably served their country through military service and who have con�nued to serve and inspire

their fellow ci�zens with civic deeds and accomplishments outside of their military service. This will be the 15th class of veterans

inducted since 2001.


The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

celebrated the Second Annual Tuskegee Airmen Commemora-�on Day at Luke Air Force Base on March 26, 2015. .

On September 26th, 2013, aOer signing SB 1128 into law, for-

mer Governor Janice Brewer made it official during a ceremony

at the Arizona State Capitol, that each year in Arizona the fourth Thursday in March will be observed as the Tuskegee Airmen

Commemora�on Day. .

The bill, sponsored by Senator Al Melvin of Tucson, sets aside

one day each year to honor the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Army Air Corps program to train African Americans

to fly and maintain combat aircraO, was established during

World War II, when the need for qualified airmen was cri�cal for the war effort. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segrega�on and

prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter

groups of World War II. Their example set the stage for integra-�on of the United States armed forces by President Harry Tru-

man in July, 1948, as well as sweeping social change in America in the decades that followed. .

Several surviving documented original Tuskegee Airmen were

present during the commemora�on ceremony. This year special

guests from Anavets’ Pacific Unit 280 aMended the ceremony. The Anavets are WWII Chinese "Dragon Tales" from Vancouver,

Canada and Canadian aboriginal "First Na�ons". These groups of veterans share with the Tuskegee Airmen similar histories chal-

lenging and overcoming racial prejudice to serve their countries

with courage and dis�nc�on. . "The three groups shared the racial oppression and challenges

that sought to preclude their par�cipa�on in the defense of

their na�ons during World War II”, author and re�red USAF Col. Richard Toliver shared. "Despite the barriers, these great patri-

ots made incredible contribu�ons that ul�mately resulted in the defeat of Nazism in Europe and Japanese tyranny in the Pacific."

The event took place at the Tuskegee Airmen Air Park across the from the 944th Fighter Wing building at Luke Air Force Base in

Glendale, Arizona. "The Tuskegee Airmen Air Park and sta�c F-

16 Red Tail serves as a link between the past and the present: a modern fighter aircraO of today is painted in the colors of an era

past," Toliver said. "At the same �me, the Air Park serves as an inspira�on to men and women of the Air Force who will carry

forward the tradi�ons of the Tuskegee Airmen for years to

come."

Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day 2015

Photograph above, leO to right:

Col Kurt J. Gallegos, Mayor Mi-chael Levault, M/Sgt Rudolph Silas, L/Col Robert Ashby, L/Col Asa Herring, Col Mareen Charles, and Mayor Gloria Lord.

Herb Zinn, L/Col Robert Ashby, L/Col Asa Herring, M/Sgt Rudolph Silas, Larry Turner

M/Sgt Rudy Silas, L/Col Asa Herring and L/Col Bob Ash-by with special guests from Anavets

© Tuskegee Airmen Inc.


advertisement in this publication, please contact Marion Cartland at:

[email protected]

Or call 602-885-7038

Visit us on www.h"p://azveteransconnec�on.org - h"ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON


Arizona Silent Service Memorial Dear Shipmates,

Your shipmates from the Perch Base USSVI in Phoenix, Arizona have embarked on a mission to erect a submarine memorial in Phoenix. The purpose of the memorial is to honor all submariners who have served or are still serving in the 'silent service' of the United States Navy. The name of the memorial will be the Arizona Silent Service Memorial. Internationally acclaimed de-signer Renee Palmer-Jones provided the artistic inspiration behind the memorial. The monument resembles deep blue sea wa-ter, tumultuous waves and a nuclear attack submarine executing an emergency surface.

The Arizona Silent Service Memorial was introduced to the Arizona State Legislature and passed by Senate Bill 1401 on 23 April 2014 authorizing the memorial to be erected in Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. The bill was enacted into law by Arizo-na’s Governor on 24 April 2014. The cost for this project is estimated to be $450,000 and we are now seeking corporate and public sponsors to fund this project. We are also reaching out to our shipmates and other USSVI bases around the country to provide financial assistance.

Please log on to our website at arizonasilentservicememorial.org for more details. On the website you will find a link to a slide presentation explaining the history of this project. There are also links to our fundraising program including a Paver Program to recognize donors who have graciously assisted us with our fundraising effort. Please share this information with your relatives, friends, shipmates and business associates.

We ask that you will assist us in recognizing our sailors who served, are currently serving and especially those who made the supreme sacrifice serving our country beneath the world’s oceans. The ASSM project is to honor them.

If you would like any additional information, please feel free to contact either Dan Moss or me by telephone or e-mail at:

Dan Moss, Chairman Tim Moore, Vice-Chairman

Phone: 602-866-8506 Phone: 602-574-3286

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Fraternally,

Tim Moore Vice Chairman/Communications Officer

Arizona Silent Service Memorial

www.arizonasilentservicememorial.org


Page 7

Yet another World War II Valley

veteran has passed to his final rest. We are all diminished by his loss

and what it represents to our vet-eran's community. This gentleman

was George J. Horvath of Glendale

Arizona. At age 94, he passed away peacefully at his home on April 5,

2015. But there was a �me when

the end of his life seemed to be des�ned to close in violent trage-

dy. George was a surviving mem-ber of the crew of the U.S.S. Indi-

anapolis (CA-35), a Portland-class heavy cruiser. He was aboard

Indianapolis on her final mission aOer the ship delivered com-ponents of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to Tinian in the Maria-

nas on 26 July 1945. At 12:14 AM on 30 July 1945, the Japanese

submarine I-58, commanded by Mochitsura Hashimoto, torpe-doed her on her return midway from Guam to Leyte in the Phil-

ippines where Indianapolis was to prepare for the invasion of Japan. The damage was catastrophic. The first torpedo severed

the bow and the second torpedo hit near midship on the star-

board side adjacent to a fuel tank and a powder magazine, re-sul�ng in an explosion that split the ship to the keel, at the

same �me knocking out all electric power. Indianapolis sank

rapidly by the bow, rolling to starboard.

The cruiser's mission to Tinian was top secret requiring her to

maintain strict radio silence. Un�l the ship was overdue at her des�na�on, no one even thought to check her whereabouts.

Indianapolis survived for just twelve minutes spilling about 900

survivors of her crew of 1,196 into the warm nighYme Pacific waters. Four days later, the survivors were accidentally discov-

ered by a Navy PV-1 Ventura bomber on rou�ne an�-submarine

patrol out of Peleliu in the Palau Islands. Nearly five days aOer the torpedoing, only 316 survivors were retrieved from the sea

by a PBY Catalina flying boat and a destroyer, U.S.S. Doyle, the rest succumbing to wounds, starva�on, thirst, exposure and

dreaded shark aMacks in one of the most publicized, tragic and

controversial incidents of the Second World War in the Pacific.

George Horvath was there. According to published accounts, George, "having survived at sea for five days, saw a shark in the

water near him just as rescue finally arrived. His prayer, 'God, no, not now, not now,' was answered." With his passing in

April, George Horvath takes with him grim recollec�ons of

those near-five days of terror awai�ng discovery and rescue. He joins his deceased shipmates and Captain Charles Butler

McVay III, in command of the Indianapolis at the �me of her

sinking, who was court-mar�aled for "hazarding his ship by fail-ure to zigzag in good visibility".

George was a Fireman First Class (F1) aboard Indianapolis. Ac-cording to his obituary, he was born in Westboro, Wisconsin on

September 8, 1920. He was married to Alice Mae Parcher, "the

love of his life", for over 72 years, who predeceased him in 2013. George was a graduate of the University of Akron, Akron,

Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering

which he prac�ced for 50 years, ending his career on staff with the City of Phoenix. He was a member of The American Legion,

Post 29, and was ac�ve in the Indianapolis Survivors group and a supporter of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. He was also ac�ve at

First Chris�an Church of Glendale where he served as Board

Chair, Trustee and Elder Emeritus and the Prime Timers group and Men's Ministry at the Church.

Gone West -- A Tribute to George J. Horvath

Photo sources: hMps://www.facebook.com/pages/USS-Indianapolis-Presenta�on-with-Survivor hMp://www.ussindianapolis.org

hMp://www.militaryfactory.com

George (center) and his shipmates

during liberty

George at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix flying to the annual Indianapolis Survivor reunion with family members. Cadets and staff members from the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit “TS Indianapolis” escorted George and his family to the airport. The Sea Cadet unit was named “TS Indian-apolis” due to the close rela�onship they had with George. He was very suppor�ve of the cadets, staff and the organiza�on.

George J. Horvath

September 8, 1920 - April 5, 2015


"House Resolution 1475- to authorize the building of a Remembrance Wall at the

Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC" by Susan Kee

Did you know that the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC

currently does NOT list the names of the over 46,000 Americans who were Killed in Ac�on, Missing in Ac�on and Prisoners of

War?

The Korean War Memorial in Washington DC has the famous

statues of men wearing ponchos and trudging through the bush-

es and there is a side wall with faces etched on it and yet it is missing the most important list of the names of all who sacri-

ficed their lives.

How can over 46,000 men who have given their lives, not be recognized at our na�onal memorial? How will future genera-

�ons understand the cost of freedom if they do not see the names of those (over 46,000 servicemen) who sacrificed their

lives?

Here are the sta�s�cs:

-Over 36,000 Americans Killed in Ac�on

-Over 8,000 Americans s�ll Missing in Ac�on

-Over 7,000 Americans captured by the Communists during the Korean War - only 3,800 returned alive. An es�mated 1,000

were murdered, and at least another 1,700 died of sickness and malnutri�on.

Solu�on: House Resolu�on 1475

The House Resolu�on 1475 was introduced by US House of Rep-resenta�ve Sam Johnson of Texas on March 19, 2015.

House Resolu�on 1475 is "To authorize a Wall of Remembrance

as part of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and to allow cer-tain private contribu�ons to fund that Wall of Remembrance.

This Resolu�on seeks for approval from our US House of Repre-senta�ves to authorize the building of the wall to list the names

of the KIA, MIA, and POWs.

This wall of remembrance does NOT require any funding from our government. The wall will be built with all private dona-

�ons.

According to the Chairman of the Korean War Veterans Memori-al founda�on, much of the private funding has already been

pledged.

Since this Remembrance Wall does NOT require any federal

funding, our US House of Representa�ves should be able to

agree on this House Resolu�on and give it a bi-par�san support.

Background to House Resolu�on 1475

This Resolu�on to authorize the Wall of Remembrance for the Korean War Veterans Memorial actually started in back in July

2011.

There were 2 previous House Resolu�ons which failed to get enough US House of Representa�ves to sign and co sponsor,

and thus expired 2 �mes while 4 years have passed.

1) House Resolu�on 2563- was introduced on July 15, 2011 by Ralph Hall of Texas- failed to get enough co sponsors and ex-

pired.

2) House Resolu�on 318- was introduced in 2013, since the pre-

vious House Resolu�on 2563 expired. This HR 318 also failed to

get enough co-sponsors and also expired.

3) Thus, House Resolu�on 1475 was introduced in March 19,

2015.

What you can do to help:

If you don't know who your US House of Representa�ve is, you can go to this website link below and put in your zip code and it

will direct you to your US House of Representa�ve's name and

contact informa�on:

hMp://www.house.gov/representa�ves/find/

Call your US House of Representa�ve for your district and tell

them to co-sponsor 1475

Tell everyone you know. Tell your friends, family, neighbors,

and other veterans- ask them to spread the word and call their US House of Representa�ve to sign on and co-sponsor House

Resolu�on 1475.

Social Media - Please post to your Facebook, twiMer, any social media and let everyone know about this issue and ask them to

call their US House of Representa�ve. I have posted a call to

ac�on and will con�nue to post updates on my Facebook page about HR 1475 - www. Facebook.com/susankeewriter

Status and Progress:

As of May 5, 2015, there are only 13 US House of Representa-

�ves that have signed on to co-sponsor HR 1475.

You can also track the progress of this HR 1475 by going to: hMps://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr1475

Here's more informa�on from the Korean War Veterans Me-

morial Founda�on website about the proposed Remembrance Wall. This founda�on is responsible for the on going mainte-

nance of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC - hMp://www.koreanwarvetsmemorial.org/memorial/wall

As you know this year on June 25, 2015, marks the 65th Anni-

versary of the start of the Korean War. It has been 65 years since the war, and we have not properly honored these brave

Americans who have made the ul�mate sacrifice with their

lives. They deserve our ac�on and they deserve to be honored and remembered always. .

Thank you all for your help in making sure these brave Ameri-cans and their families are given the proper honor!

Susan Kee- [email protected]

Korean War Memorial ~ Washington D.C.


Korean War Veterans Appreciation Ceremony Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Korean War by Susan Kee

The New Light Church, Arizona Korean Associa�on and the Ko-

rean community hosted the Korean War Veterans Apprecia�on Ceremony and Luncheon to honor our Korean War Veterans. It

was a commemora�on of the 65th Anniversary of the Korean War, which started on June 25, 1950. We had the privilege of

honoring and thanking them for their service. Without our

American Korean War veterans, we, Koreans, would not be here today. We are so grateful to all Korean War veterans and

we are forever grateful.

The Korean Associa�on president Mr. Whan Sik Choi thanked the veterans for giving us the life we have today. Korea War

Veteran, James Gabbert thanked the Korean community and presented cer�ficate of apprecia�on to the New Light Church

and the Arizona Korean Associa�on.

Susan Kee, Korean American writer, said the following:

"I am reminded, of a famous photo, where on the leO side of

the road, you see a line of the American troops walking north

on a dirt road and on the right side of this road, Korean refu-gees are fleeing south. You were those brave young men, who

headed into harms way, to defend the freedom of people, you didn’t even know. You didn’t know who we were or even

where Korea was, before you got there. All that maMered to

you, was that freedom, was worth figh�ng for. It has been said

that, “The true soldier fights, not because he hates, what is in front of him, but because he loves, what is behind him."

So, today, the Korean people are here, with you, to honor you

for your great courage. It is because of your courageous service

that millions of Koreans, are able to live in freedom. You have given us this priceless giO of freedom, and for that we are for-

ever grateful. The democracy and prosperity that Korea enjoys

today, was made possible, because of your service."

Musical Theatre of Anthem sang the Na�onal Anthem, Military

service songs, and America the Beau�ful. 2 Korean opera sing-ers, Se Hoon Kim and Amy Lee also sang a Korean tradi�onal

song and Amazing Grace, for the veterans. .

Due to space limita�ons, we could not invite all the Korean War

veterans in Arizona. Thus, we had Korean War veterans from 8

chapters of Korean War Veterans Associa�on and the Arizona Chosin Few, at this ceremony. For those of you we could not

invite, please accept our most sincere apologies. We hope you know how grateful we are and hope that you feel our love and

respect.

LiMle Korean girl wearing the tradi�onal Korean handbok dress with USMC Korean War Veteran, Lew Bradley" Photo courtesy of Susan Kee

Pastor Oh of The New Light Church, Andrew Song of Korean Associa�on, Susan Kee, Korean American Writer, and Lew Bradley Korean War veteran - Photo courtesy of Susan Kee

Arden Rowley Chapter of Korean War Veterans Associa�on Honor Guard and members of Korean Community Photo courtesy of Susan Kee

Musical Theatre of Anthem and Amy Lee lead in the singing of "God Bless America" Photo courtesy of Susan Kee

Jennifer Lee gives the tradi�onal Korean bow to express utmost love and respect to the Korean War veterans - Photo by M. Cartland

Jennifer Lee and young Korean Americans thank the veterans for making it possible for many gen-era�ons of Koreans to be able to live in freedom today - Photo by M. Cartland

Happy Independence Day ! Happy Independence Day ! Happy Independence Day ! Happy Independence Day ! Barbecues and fireworks, flags and parades, Independence Day evokes so many images of the American summer. Its original purpose to celebrate the birth of the American nation on July 4th, 1776 has given way to festivities that celebrate both America and the lives and freedoms that the accomplishments of American Independence have allowed. The commemoration of the signing of the Declara-tion of Independence is a time not only to reflect on what happened at America's founding but also to look again at the nation's values and recommit oneself again to those ideals. . Source: Family Friend Poems - Graphic by Marion Cartland


ART'S CORNER Courtesy of Arizona Republic/Arthur G. Sloane Veterans Voice

Posi�ve VA accounts

I would like to hear from my readers

again only by e-mail on this subject:

What I think of the VA and how it has helped me. Why I am asking this is

that many of you have wriMen me that you have nothing but praise for the

care that you have had at the VA clin-

ics and the hospital in the area where you receive care. I have been asked to

write a column but need sta�s�cs

from my readers that are posi�ve. You have wriMen me about certain care givers from nurses to your

primary care physician, but now I want to gather more of the posi�ve accounts. Please men�on the names of the clinic also.

Write any �me in June, and I will let you know in July. When I

have asked you for your comments on different subjects I have received both pro and con. Please only pro this �me.

The Phoenix Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars

Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance will take

place Sunday, Sept. 13 in the Carl Hayden Community High School auditorium. The 108th Army band will begin playing mar-

�al music at 2 p.m. and the ceremony will start at 2:30 p.m. Or-

ganiza�onal colors should be present not later than 1:30 p.m. If you are not able to carry your colors Boy Scouts and JROTC ca-

dets will be available. Want to par�cipate? Call 480-940-4080.

I am receiving many phone calls concerning what veteran chari-

�es are worth contribu�ng your hard-earned contribu�ons. You may go to either Charity Watch or Charity Navigator online. My

sugges�on is that you only give to chari�es in Arizona, that

spend the money in Arizona, and that you may contact. Also any charity that uses more than 35 percent of a dollar is not suggest-

ed by Charity Watch, and that is my guide. Many chari�es are

hooked together since they use a commercial fundraising arm.

Salute to the Troops will take place at 5:30 p.m. July 4 at Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road., ScoMsdale, featuring LiMle Big

Town and Brandy Clark. There is an Independence Day Music

Fes�val and a fireworks show. There are free �ckets to event by contac�ng [email protected].

Veterans, military, and the public are invited to a V-J Day Ban-

quet on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel

Phoenix Tempe's Conference Center, 2100 S. Priest Drive in Tem-pe. The event will commemorate 70 years of peace in the Pacific

and European theaters, and honor those who fought for peace.

The celebra�on is being sponsored by Unified Arizona Veterans, American Legion Thomas Tang Post 50 and Republic of China

Veterans Associa�on of Phoenix. The cocktail recep�on starts at

5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment at 8:30 p.m. The dinner cost is $30 per person. The RSVP due date

is July 31. All registra�ons are pre-paid; there is no dinner regis-tra�on at the conference center on Aug. 15. For guests who do

not have access to the website, registra�on by telephone is

available. Please contact Registrars Wendy Karahalios at 520-907-8488, or Carol Culbertson at 602-943-7834. The mailing address

for submiYng the registra�on and check or money order pay-

ment via the U.S. mail is Unified Arizona Veterans, P.O. Box 34338, Phoenix 85067. For more informa�on please contact

Wendy Karahalios at [email protected], or Carol Culbertson at [email protected].

The Na�onal Memorial Cemetery on Cave Creek Road in Phoe-nix will be conduc�ng a Spirit of 45 at 8 a.m. Aug. 15. The Spirit

of 45 ceremony is to honor all World War II veterans, and it is

hoped many will be in the audience. Two World War II veterans will be speakers: Re�red U.S. Army Col. Park Shaw and Virginia

"Lee" Doerr, a Women Airforce Service pilot. The WASPs, as they are known, flew all the different planes as soon as they came off

the assembly lines to the various Army Air Force bases through-

out the country. Vern West will give a short speech on World War II. More on this as it becomes available.

Former Show Low mayor receives medal

Recently I was in the audience when David A. Foil Jr., former

mayor of Show Low who also served on the founding commiMee to incorporate the City of Show Low, was awarded the Dis�n-

guished Flying Cross from his �me in the Army Air Cops on Jan. 5, 1945 by Congressman Paul Gosar in the City Hall Chambers in

Show Low.

He was part of an air crew that was flying in support of the BaMle

of the Bulge. The B-26 Marauder on which he served as the top

turret gunner on the ship "Pappy's Pram" sustained damage, and during the bombing run only the two 1,000-pound bombs on the

port side of the bomb rack fell.

Of the two remaining bombs on the starboard side, the boMom

bomb failed to release, but the bomb above that did as it was supposed to, and landed on the boMom bomb now fully armed.

Foil, knowing something about the arming mechanism, with the bomb bay doors open and without a parachute, climbed onto

the bomb and disarmed it and saved the crew and the plane.

Medals have to be verified and thankfully the pilot and copilot

are s�ll alive. Foil at age 93 has a large family and all his six chil-dren were in the audience.

Arthur G. Sloane is a re�red master chief peMy officer, Coast Guard. Reach him at 480-802-6810 or [email protected].

507 E Van Buren St

Avondale, AZ 85323

Office: 602.843.1253

Mobile: 602.638.7898


We specialize in body work and paint of: vehicles, RV’s, boats, horse trailers, etc.

Free Estimates

15% Discount

for Veterans


Memorial Day 2015 at the National Cemetery of Arizona

Vern West, USA Ret - Vocalist, Bugler Rick Romley - Master of Ceremonies Rabbi Irwin Wiener, DD Invoca�on

108th Army Band Remembrance Table Ceremony - ScoYsh American Military Society

Pos�ng of the Colors by VFW State Honor Guard

Col Wanda Wright - Director of the AZ Department of Veterans’ Services

Jerry Rainey - Director Na-�onal Cemetery of Arizona

Governor Doug Ducey Senator John McCain Chaplain Capt. James Lanford USAF - Luke AFB Chaplain’s

Office

Releasing of the Doves - Civil Air Patrol Sqd 301&302 Riffle Volley - VFW State Honor Guard Flags presented by ScoYsh American Society Post 48

For many families, Memorial Day is a chance to come together and enjoy some food and fun. But the holiday holds a more som-ber meaning. In the fast-paced life of work, family, and friends, it can be easy for holidays to become a blur of ac�vity or shop-ping. And that means some�mes the meaning gets lost. Howev-er every year, communi�es across the region come together on Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers as it did at the Na�onal Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix on May 25th, 2015. It was es�-mated that approximately 4000 people par�cipated in the cere-mony including Governor Doug Ducey and Senator John McCain, Col. Wanda Wright, the Director of the Department of Veterans’ Services, as well as many other dignitaries. The Cave Creek Road entry to the Na�onal Cemetery was lined with approx. two hun-dred motorcyclists waving flags as aMendees entered for the ceremony, which started with a flyover of 1940 WWll trainers by the Primary Trainer Squadron of the Arizona An�que Airplane Associa�on, followed by a parade of colors, wreath-laying by various organiza�ons and groups, a Remembrance Table cere-

mony and the release of white doves at the close of the ob-servance. It's not oOen remembered that the Memorial Day holiday tradi-�on began aOer the Civil War. At that �me it was known as “Decora�on Day.” While originally founded to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War, Memorial Day is presently a day to honor all of the Americans who have died in military service. The holiday gives Americans pause to take a moment from their day of celebra�on and leisure to reflect on the brave sacrifices of those who have given their lives for this great na�on, espe-cially at this turbulent and challenging �me in its history.

Freedom comes with a high price. Americans should honor those who paid that price and not take them for granted. That debt can never be repaid, but apprecia�on through reflec�on is an important means by which to honor our service men and women. The true price of freedom can never be forgoMen: . FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Page 11


Page 12

The Patrio�c Gala took place on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at

the Chaparral Suites in ScoMsdale, Arizona. .

This is the most an�cipated veterans event of the year, aMrac�ng ac�ve, former and re�red servicemen and women, as

well as many businesses, civic, and philanthropic leaders from

across Arizona, to honor demonstrated leaders and faithful patriots who serve the na�on. .

This year’s honorees included Mr. Jim Click, President of the Jim Click Automo�ve Group, who was presented with the pres-

�gious Copper Sword Award for his generous support of service members, veterans and their families throughout his en�re

career.

The evening con�nued with special presenta�ons of the Socie-

ty's Copper Eagle Awards to both the Pat Tillman Founda�on,

and to Rutherford Diversified Industries. Each has lent immeas-urable support to servicemen and women locally, statewide,

and, at the na�onal level, in the case of the Pat Tillman Founda-�on.

The Unified Arizona Veterans recognized those who have ad-vanced the cause of veterans across Arizona. State Representa-

�ve Sonny Borrelli was presented with the Copper Shield

Award. Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix and Mayor Jack Hakim of Bullhead City each received the Copper Star Bucky O’Neill

Award for "leading the charge na�onally as they address veter-ans’ homelessness, employment and other sizable veterans

issues."

The Arizona Veteran's Hall of Fame Society also presented sev-

eral Copper Lamp of Knowledge scholarship awards to veterans

who have "returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree or trade cer�fica�on, and to high school scholars who have

demonstrated ap�tude while par�cipa�ng in the na�onally

acclaimed Veterans Heritage Project." .

Proceeds from the dinner are used to fund the Society's state and local projects for veterans organiza�ons in the aMainment

of their objec�ves and that promote and encourage responsi-

ble ci�zenship among all Americans. As a 501(c)(3) organiza-�on, a por�on of all contribu�ons made to the Society are be

tax-deduc�ble.

The Society is accep�ng nomina�ons for the Copper Sword or

Copper Eagle award for 2016. The nomina�on forms and addi-�onal informa�on can be found on the Society's webpage at

www.avhof.org

The Copper Sword:

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society seeks to recognize a

non-veteran whose personal ac�ons contributed significantly to the benefit and well being of our military, our veterans, their

families and their survivors, their communi�es and their neigh-bors. To be considered for a Copper Sword award, the scale of

the individual’s contribu�ons and measurable impact upon the

veterans’ community should be extraordinary.

The Copper Eagle Award:

The Copper Eagle Award was created in March 2013 by the Board of Directors of the AVHOFS to provide a means to recog-

nize deserving private ins�tu�ons, organiza�ons or corpora-�ons whose ac�ons warrant excep�onal recogni�on for ser-

vices rendered to the Arizona veteran or military community.

These en��es are those whose efforts had gone above and beyond the call of duty in suppor�ng our military, veterans,

their families and survivors.

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society

President - Ronald J. Perkins Patrio�c Gala Chair - Col. Chuck Schluter Master of Ceremonies - Gordon James


Jim Click, Jr., proprietor of Jim Click Ford in Tucson, Arizona, was the recipient of the Copper Sword 2015. According to the Arizo-na Veterans Hall of Fame Society, Copper Sword Award recognizes recognize those Arizonans who have not worn the uniform of this Na�on’s Armed Forces but have done extraordinary things in support of the state's communi�es, neighbors and veter-ans. Click was recognized because of his consistent support for the military, both in terms of his par�cipa�on in groups like the DM50 -- which ac�vely supports Davis-Monthan Air Force Base -- as well as his commitment as an employer of veterans in his automobile dealerships.

Jim Click accepts the Copper Sword Award Sonny Borelli accepts the Copper Shield Award

Copper Eagle Award to the Pat Tillman Founda�on

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Copper Star

Recipient

Bullhead City Mayor Jack Kakim Copper Star

Recipient

Copper Eagle to Rutherford Diversified In-

dustries Veteran and Student VHP Scholarship Recipients Governor Doug Ducey

Jesse McGuire Past Sword Recipient Past Recipients of Copper Sword and Shield Paula Williamson , Ermal Wil-liamson-”Duke” John Wayne


Visit our Facebook page to view many photo albums from veteran events throughout the year as well as flyers for upcoming events, charity

rides, helpful informa�on, and much more, at: h"ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON - Be sure to “Like” us.

You may also request to have your newsle"er from your organiza�on or veterans group posted on

our webpage to assure a wide dissemina�on of informa�on throughout the state at:

h"p://azveteransconnec�on.org

You can read, download or print the monthly newsle"er published by the Department of Veterans’

Services, as well as the VVA of Arizona quarterly newsle"er posted on our webpage.

Contact us at: [email protected]

AUSA Annual Awards and Corporate Recognition Luncheon On Sunday aOernoon, March 29, 2015, the Arizona Territorial

Chapter of the Associa�on of the United States Army (AUSA) held its Annual Awards and Corporate Recogni�on Luncheon at

McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Awards were presented to out-standing Phoenix Recrui�ng BaMalion, U.S. Army Reserve, and

Arizona Army Na�onal Guard soldiers, as well as, Reserve Offic-

ers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University and Em-

bry-Riddle Aeronau�cal University for their exemplary academic

and leadership performance. The Chapter also recognized their wonderful Corporate Sponsors for their many contribu�ons,

which include support to the AUSA membership and local mili-tary families, at large. Re�red Major General Jon J. Miller, for-

mer Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve

Command was the event’s guest speaker. .

As a recognized Vietnam War Commemora�ve Partner, the Ari-

zona Territorial Chapter took �me during their Awards program to highlight the service of our Armed Forces and commemorate

the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, in accordance with Public Law 110-181, sec�on 598. Four Vietnam veterans who

served in theater were presented pins to recognize their sacrific-

es during that conflict. Those veterans were CSM (Re�red) Larry Dahle, 1SG (Re�red) Chuck Daniels, COL (Re�red) Dick Minor,

and SGT (Re�red) Ron Capek. The Arizona Na�onal Guard Public

Affairs Office provided coverage of the event, in addi�on to Mar-ion Cartland of the Arizona Veterans Connec�on.

SubmiMed by: Jeanne J. Blaes, PhD, COL (Re�red) President, AZ Territorial Chapter, AUSA

AZARNG: CW5 John ViM, Deputy Garrison Commander; CPT Brian Gaume, 2015 Officer of the Year; SSG Robert Zapata, 2015 NCO of the Year; SSG Mario Mercado II, 2015 Recrui�ng and Reten�on NCO of the Year; SPC Aaron Hoyt, 2015 Soldier of the Year; CSM Patrick Powers, State Command Sergeant Major

Phoenix Recrui�ng BN: LTC Randy G. Alfredo, BN Commander; CPT David Reuter,Top Company Commander, Tempe CO; SFC Imaikop E�m, BN Center Commander of the Year; SFC Steven Dinkoski,USAR NCO of the Year; SGT Jose A. Picazocampos, RA NCO of the Year; 1SG Nathan Colbert, BN First Sergeant of the Year; CSM Craig L. Russell, Recrui�ng BN Command Sergeant Major

MG Ret Jon J. Miller and Cadet Jack D. Aus�n, ASU Desert Ranger/Top Make Ranger Challenge 2015

MAJ/Chaplain Daniel Price, 653rd Region-al Support Group Officer of the Year and SGT Noah WiMekind, 653rd Regional Support Group NCO of the Year Photo: Public Affairs Office of the AZ Na�onal Guard

MG Ret Miller and ASU Cadet Alexis Johnson, Desert Ranger/Top Female Ranger Challenge 2015

To the leO: Vietnam War Commemora�ve Partners awardees: SGT Ret Ron Capek; CSM Ret Larry Dahle; 1SG Ret Chuck Daniels, and COL Ret Dick Minor Photo: Public Affairs Office of the AZ Na�onal Guard

MG Ret Jon J. Miller and ASU Cadet Brendan Fries, ASU Desert Ranger/Ranger Challenge Commander 2015

MG Ret Jon J. Miller and Cadet Brady Harrell, ERAU Desert Ranger/Top Male Ranger Challenge 2015


On 14 June 2015, the Arizona Territorial Chapter of the Associa-

�on of the U.S. Army celebrated the 240th Birthday of the U.S. Army and Flag Day at the McCormick Ranch Golf Course with

over 55 of our closest friends! COL (Ret) Jeanne J. Blaes opened the Chapter’s general membership mee�ng and luncheon event

with a recita�on of the history of the U.S. Army and Flag Day.

She made sure to men�on that the Chapter is a Vietnam War Commemora�ve Partner and called forward all of the Vietnam

War veterans to receive special recogni�on for their service.

The following five (5) Vietnam War veterans were presented special commemora�ve pins: COL (Ret) William Roselier, USA;

MSG (Ret) Fred Marable, USA; RM3 (Ret) David Kampf, USN; COL (Ret) Chuck Schluter, USA; LTC (Ret) Stephen Miller, USA.

AMen�on was called to a special display at the front of the hall

regarding the Vietnam War. Advocacy for our past and present U.S. soldiers, civil servants and their families was stressed, in

addi�on to maintaining a strong AUSA.

The event’s guest speaker was Robert “Bob” Cox, of the Pio-neers’ Cemetery Associa�on, who was accompanied by Kathy

Laurier, David Kampf, Judy Smith, and Fred Marable and his wife, Michelle London-Marable. The troupe wore period dress

and displayed Civil War era ar�facts on tables encircling the

hall. Each presenter took on the role of a famous personality

buried in local Arizona cemeteries. They included Nathaniel Sharp, Mexican War & Confederate Army; Sgt. Clarence Proc-

tor, Buffalo Soldier (1886-1898); Governor B.J. Franklin, Confed-erate Army Captain, Governor of Territory of Arizona, by "Mrs.

Franklin"; and Corporal Trustrim Connell, Union Army.

Following the performance, COL (Ret) Jeanne J. Blaes was sworn in for a second two-year term as President of the Chap-

ter by State President LTC (Ret) Vic Connor. Mrs. Paula William-

son, America’s Yodeling Sweetheart was the honored guest vocalist. In addi�on to singing the Army Song and a patrio�c

medley, Paula was accompanied by her husband, Ermal “the Duke” Williamson in a presenta�on of “My Roots are Buried

Here”. Pos�ng and re�ring of the Colors was by The Con�nental

Army Color Guard, dressed in period uniforms. The Color Guard was lead by Commander Bob Alling and manned by several

other members of the Sons of the American Revolu�on (SAR).

A special thanks goes out to Marion Cartland, publisher of the Arizona Veterans Connec�on, who did another outstanding job

of taking photos and capturing the heart of this event!

Jeanne J. Blaes, PhD, COL (Ret) USA .

President, Arizona Territorial Chapter AUSA

240th Army Birthday and Flag Day Luncheon

AZ Territorial 7202 - Associa�on of the United States Army

Robert “Bob” Cox, Michelle London-Marable, Fred Marable, Gene Rafanelli, Kathleen Laurier, Judy Smith,

David Kampf

COL (Ret) William Roselier, USA; MSG (Ret) Fred Marable, USA; RM3 (Ret) David Kampf, USN; COL (Ret) Chuck

Schluter, USA; LTC (Ret) Stephen Miller, USA

Con�nental Army Color Guard pos�ng colors, Paula Williamson singing

COL (Ret) Jeanne J. Blaes was sworn in by State President LTC (Ret) Vic Connor

Judy Smith, Michelle London-Marable, Kathleen Laurier, of the Pioneers’ Cemetery Associa�on

Robert “Bob” Cox Fred Marable

David Kampf Jeanne J. Blaes and Park Shaw cuYng the cake

Special display regarding the Vietnam War Mrs. Paula Williamson, America’s Yodeling Sweet-heart and her husband Ermal “the Duke” Williamson

Countdown to Victory: Marking the 70th Anniversary of the End of the Most Destruc�ve War in Human History

Part 2 -- March through May, 1945 By Herb Zinn


The pressures brought to bear on Germany and Japan, discussed

in Part 1 of this series, relentlessly con�nued toward their logical conclusion in the period March through May, 1945. Japan had

pulled the Tiger's Tail on December 7, 1941. Hitler had foolishly declared war on his Ally's rival several days later. A fully enraged

America was now free to ramp up for the world war it would

wage against the Axis powers. The fruits of mobiliza�on would see the United States focused as never before in its history as car

manufacturers switched to planes and tanks, men by the millions

flocked to join the military and women rose to replace them on assembly lines in manufacturing plants. Those not directly en-

gaged in the fight did their part with Victory Gardens, scrap and bond drives and ra�oning. The full force of the steam built up in

1942 and 1943 was fully unleashed by the Allies in 1944 such

that the inescapable result (or "inevitable triumph" as Roosevelt named it in his speech to Congress on December 8, 1941) was

realized in 1945. The Axis doom lay just ahead.

Germany's defeat is now only a maMer of �me. In the Ardennes, Hitler has gambled and squandered precious resources in men

and material that, defensively deployed, might have made the Allied drive into central Germany more costly and �me consum-

ing. Immense pressure in the East from advancing Soviet forces

whiMle down Wermacht and SS forces daily, while Anglo-American infantry and armored units finally breach the Rhine

and move deeper into the Reich where no invader has stepped

since Napoleon in 1805.

March 7 sees the US First

Army seize the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, the last

remaining intact bridge

across the Rhine -- just minutes before the Ger-

mans were set to demolish

it. The bridge stands under intense shelling un�l

March 17 when it collapses, but by then it is too late.

American forces have constructed bridges across the river and a

beachhead on the eastern bank is secure. Montgomery's Bri�sh 21st Army Group breaks out onto the Westphalian Plain in the

north and traps Germans forces in the resul�ng pocket, while a 40,000-man First Allied Airborne Army assault -- the largest air-

borne opera�on to date -- drops across the Rhine at Wesel on

March 24. In the south, PaMon's Third Army and Patch's Seventh Army trap German forces in the Saar Triangle between the Rhine

and Moselle Rivers and by the end of March, the en�re Rhine is

under Allied control. In the East, Soviet forces are momentarily halted at Küstrin, Germany, an important rail hub on the west

bank of the Oder River, but aOer 35 days, they move in and take the city, now just 38 miles from Berlin's suburbs. The delay does

not affect Russian drives in the north where Marshal Ro-

kossovsky's Second Russian Army presses forward at the upper end of the Danzig Corridor threatening the German seaports at

SteYn and Danzig, which falls on March 28; while in the south,

Soviet forces drive on to Vienna aOer seizing Budapest on Febru-ary 13. In Italy, the stalemate below Bologna con�nues.

In the Pacific, a force of 300 B-29s strike Tokyo at low level on

March 9, devasta�ng large sec�ons of the city in the resul�ng firebombing. March 11 sees amphibious assaults staged on the

beaches at Zamboanga on the southwest �p of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and American troops land on Panay. Iwo Jima

is declared secured on March 14. At the same �me, the Ameri-

can FiOh Fleet ravages the Japanese Home Fleet in Japan's Inland Sea; but on March 19, the U. S. Navy is tragically reminded of the

potency of their Japanese adversary when the Essex-class air-

craO carrier U.S.S. Franklin is suddenly dive-bombed just

60 miles off the Japanese home islands, resul�ng in

the deaths of 832 crewmen

and the wounding of 270 more. Nevertheless, Franklin

bravely survives to make the

epic 12,000-mile trek back across the Pacific to the

Brooklyn Navy Yard. Mandalay in Burma falls to the Bri�sh on March 20 and the Bri�sh then drive beyond to take Mogok, Hai-

paw and Merik�la, 80 miles south of the city. On March 27, the

U.S. 77th Division invades the Karama Islands southwest of Oki-nawa to set the stage for the drive on the Ryuku Islands, just 375

miles south of Japan. In doing so, they capture over 300 suicide

boats that were intended for use against American forces when opera�ons at Okinawa began.

By mid-April, the TwelOh Army Group surrounds more than 300,000 Germans in the Ruhr industrial region; ul�mately more

Germans are bagged in the trap than were captured at Stalin-

grad. German ci�es fall in quick succession: Koenigsberg on April 9; Vienna falls to the Russians on April 10; Hannover falls on

April 11; while the Bri�sh Second Army ini�ates opera�ons in

the outskirts of Bremen. The American Seventh Army enters Nuremberg on April 17 and PaMon's Third Army veers southeast

to Czechoslovakia. On the way, PaMon's troops uncover a cache of 100 tons of gold bullion, art treasures and currency in a salt

mine near Merkers. The First Army envelops Leipzig and, finally,

on April 25, U.S. troops link up with Soviet forces at the town of Torgau on the Elbe River, cuYng Germany in two. The western

Allies have come 700 miles from Normandy, the Soviets 1,200 miles from Stalingrad. Marshal Zhukov's 1.2 million man army is

now poised for the BaMle of Berlin, which they enter on April 21.

In Italy, Mark Clark's FiOh Army breaks out from the Apennines below Bologna, which falls to American and Polish troops on

April 22, opening the Po Valley to an Allied drive to end the Ital-

ian campaign.

Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen

USS Franklin stricken by Japanese dive bomber

U.S. and Russian troops meet at Torgau on Elbe River


On April 27, Genoa is in Allied hands, then Milan -- the birthplace

of Italian Fascism -- falls to Lucien TruscoM's 1st Armored Division on April 29. Venice falls to the Eight Army the same day, while

the FiOh Army moves north to the Franco-Italian border. The remaining German forces are trapped with their backs to the

Swiss border. New Zealanders connect with Yugoslav par�sans

near Trieste. Reports from the baMlefront announce Mussolini's execu�on by Italian par�sans on April 28 and Hitler's death on

April 30.

But the wave of victories is biMersweet. On April 12, Americans learn that a cerebral hemorrhage has claimed the life of Franklin

Delano Roosevelt in Warm Springs, Georgia. That same day, Har-ry Truman is administered the oath of office by Chief Jus�ce Har-

lan Stone. Then more tragic reports emerge from Europe as Ger-

man concentra�on camps are overrun and the rumors of geno-cide are confirmed. The U.S. 8th Division liberates Buchenwald

near Jena on April 12 and the Bri�sh Second Army liberates Bel-

sen on April 27. On April 25, a Congressional Inves�ga�ve Com-miMee arrives to gain firsthand informa�on about the atroci�es

discovered by advancing Allied Forces. Among the Congressional Delega�on is Arizona Senator Ernest W. McFarland. Finally, on

April 18, the legendary soldier's newsman, Ernie Pyle, is killed on

the island of Ie Shima, off Okinawa by a burst of Japanese ma-chine gun fire.

While the war in Europe grinds to an inevitable end, U.S. forces

are deployed to bring the war to a climac�c close in the Pacific. On Easter Sunday, April 1, soldiers of Hodge's 24th Army Corps

and Marines of Geiger's Third Amphibious Corps wade ashore on the western central plain of Okinawa to unexpectedly light re-

sistance. The Japanese have pulled back to prepared for�fica-

�ons in the south where they intend to wage a war of aMri�on against the American invaders. It will prove to be the largest am-

phibious opera�on of the Pacific War, involving a fleet of over

1,400 ships. The Okinawa Campaign will unleash even more forms of Japanese ferocity as kamikaze aMacks become the order

of the day and U.S. ground forces fight for every inch of the is-land over the next three months, a biMer predic�on of what an

invasion of the Japanese home islands will be like. A force of Jap-

anese cruisers and destroyers built around the super baMleship

Yamato sor�es from Japan in a suicidal aMempt to disrupt the landings on Okinawa, but on April 7, the force is intercepted by

waves of Navy carrier planes north of Okinawa, for the loss of

Yamato, two cruisers and three destroyers. On April 17, a second landing is made on Mindanao in the Philippines, resul�ng in the

capture of the island's capital, Cotabato, three days later.

May 1945 is historically monumental with the end of World War

II in the European Theater. May 2 sees the fall of Berlin to Rus-

sian forces. On May 4, all German forces in northern Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark surrender to Montgomery's

Bri�sh TwelOh Army Group. On May 7, Germany surrenders un-

condi�onally to the Supreme Allied Command at Rheims, France, bringing to a close five years, eight months and six days of cease-

less figh�ng on the European con�nent. The Soviets ra�fy the German surrender the following day in Berlin. A week later, Colo-

nel General Von Vie�nghoff surrenders all German forces in

northern Italy and western Austria -- aggrega�ng over 1 million men.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, figh�ng on Okinawa

con�nues with Shuri Castle and Naha falling to the Marines. On

May 2, opera�ons against the Borneo Islands in the Dutch East Indies commence with Australian landings on Tarakan which cuts

off Japan from its resource base of oil and other essen�al raw materials needed to sustain its armed forces. On May 3, Ran-

goon, Burma falls to a combined Allied force of Bri�sh, Chinese,

African and Indian troops. Japanese losses total 347,000 troops of which 97,000 are killed in ac�on.

With the close of hos�li�es in Europe, the full force of American military power can now be brought to bear on the Japanese. In

the next edi�on of Arizona Veterans Connec�on Magazine, we

will conclude this series with the final months of the conflict in the Pacific.

Russian soldiers hoist flag over the Reichstag in Berlin

Okinawa invasion beaches, April, 1945

3rd and 4th Marine Division Cemetery at Iwo Jima

April 5th, 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of Gold Star Wives of America. Surviving spouses of veterans of the U.S. Military was recognized on April 5th for their dedica-

�on and support of their deceased service member and to bring awareness of the great sacrifice made by them and their families.

The first mee�ng was of four young WWll widows in Marie Jordan Spear’s kitchen in New York on April 5th, 1945 where they decided to form an organiza�on. This get to-

gether eventually turned into an organiza�on that pro-vides support for the spouses and children of those who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. It now has more than 10,000 members and local chapters in all parts of the United States.

In 1945, membership at the �me was open to the widows and children of those who died in the service of this coun-try during World War ll. In 1948, aOer realizing that many veterans were dying from service-connected causes, the name was changed to Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. El-eanor Roosevelt was one of the signers of the Cer�ficate

of Incorpora�on.

At the end of World War ll, liMle was being done to help young widows, who were also vic�m of that war, suffering the loss of their husbands and having to provide for their fatherless children. They no longer had medical care, com-

missary privileges nor homes. If the widow was under 25 years of age, she was not allowed to collect her husbands insurance, but rather it was doled out to her at $25 a month with liMle more added for each child. In some cases the insurance was s�ll in the name of the parent and the

widow was leO with nothing in the custom of that era, she had minimal or no job training and had to married young.

Gold Star Wives (GSW) was granted a Federal Charter by Congress on December 4, 1980, recognizing this organiza-�on as being “unique” and capable of providing a service not available from any other organiza�ons. It is a non-

profit in it’s 70th year of championing survivors’ rights for widows, widowers and children from all conflicts and ser-vice-connected disabili�es. Since its incep�on, it has worked �relessly to improve their benefits and quality of life.

Over the years, the struggle for survivors has remained a constant. Benefits do not properly reflect infla�on and cost of living increases. Offsets have been imposed and

educa�on benefits for widows and children have been slashed. Currently, legisla�on is moving through Congress that would eliminate the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Dependency and Indemnity Compensa�on (DIC) offset, and increase the amount of DIC payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, bringing it in

line with other federal benefits programs.

In addi�on to GSW’s educa�on and outreach efforts on Capitol Hill, GSW encourages its members to remain ac-�ve, vibrant in the military community. GSW members gave 12,000 hours of volunteer �me in a variety of VA fa-

cili�es across the country. GSW volunteers also support na�onally organized events aimed at providing relief and support for families coping with the loss of a loved one like the Snowball Express and programs through the Fisher House. Lastly, GSW raises money for local chari�es through a variety of events in their communi�es.

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. presents itself as a female-only organiza�on. But in 2003 membership was changed to include all surviving spouses of those who died on ac-�ve duty or from a service connected cause.

Find more informa�on on the Gold Star Wives of America,

Inc. at www.goldstarwives.org

Or by contac�ng the Na�onal Office, Prime Management, PO Box 361986, Birmingham, AL 35236-1986.

Telephone: 205-823-1778 or 1-888-751-6350.


Gold Star Wives of America Day - April 5, 2015

“United we stand to win,

Divided we fall and are forgo"en”

"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the ac�ons, the spirit of men

and so it must be daily earned and refreshed- else like a flower cut

from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”

~ Dwight D. Eisenhower


advertisement in this publication,

please contact Marion Cartland at:

[email protected]

Or call 602-885-7038

Visit us on www.h"p://azveteransconnec�on.org - h"ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON


21st Annual Vietnam Remembrance Day

Robert Graham, Chairman of the Arizona State Repub-lican Party.

Col. Wanda Wright, Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

Keynote Speaker - Ms. Linda West Kevin Dang, President of the Vietnamese Community and General Le Minh Dao

George Notarpole, Oscar Urrea , Vern West singing the Na�onal Anthem

Bob Numkena (Hopi) blessing the memorial

Kevin Dang, laying a wreath on behalf of the Vietnamese Community

Vietnamese Color Guard Women's Army Corps Vietnamese Youth Dance Group

Flags being raised

The 21st Annual Vietnam Remembrance Day observance was

held on Sunday, April 26, 2015at 8:30 a.m. at the Vietnam Me-morial located in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in downtown

Phoenix. At the same �me, the In-Country Vietnam Veterans in partnership with the Vietnamese Community of Arizona, VVA

442 and many other veterans organiza�ons came together to

commemorate the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The observance of this anniversary is important to the Vietnam Vet-

erans and their families.

This year's Keynote Speaker was Linda West, author of "Beyond

the Rice Paddies", a memoir of the author's childhood in Vi-

etnam. Kevin Dang, President of the Vietnamese Community, spoke on behalf of and for the Vietnamese in aMendance. Mr.

Dang introduced General Le Minh Dao: 18th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. General Dao was a prisoner

for 17 years aOer the fall of South Vietnam.

The Governor's Proclama�on to the Arizona Vietnamese com-

munity was presented by Robert Graham, Chairman of the Ari-

zona State Republican Party. Bob Numkena (Hopi) gave a Na�ve American blessing of the memorial.

Colonel Wanda Wright, Director of the Arizona Department of

Veterans Services also shared her remarks with the aMending veterans and guests.

The Arizona Na�onal Guard's 108th Army Band under the direc-�on of WOI Steven Brining provided its usual s�rring marches

and patrio�c music. The color guards from many of the Valley and State Veterans organiza�ons were present to post their

colors. The Vietnam Memorial area was an exci�ng patchwork

of color with dozens of U.S. and South Vietnamese flags. A massing of the colors, and flag raisings of the U.S. and South

Vietnamese flags were presented by both the American and

Vietnamese Veteran communi�es.

The 1969 Hughes OH-6A Cayuse Helicopter known as “Charlie

Chopper” was on display in the Rotunda below the Vietnam Memorial together with military vehicles provided by Bill Simon

of Desert Warriors. Members of many civilian and veterans communi�es, their friends and families were also in aMendance.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies everyone gathered in shar-

ing of food and refreshments.

Are you an Immigrant Veteran?

If you are a veteran who was not a US ci�zen when you joined the

US Armed Forces, you are eligible to par�cipate in a sociological

study “Ci�zenship Acquisi�on among Immigrant Veterans”.

Your par�cipa�on in this study will help increase our knowledge

of the process of naturaliza�on for immigrant members of the

military. This is important to ensure full access to rights and ben-

efits for those who serve, including the right to vote, and protec-�on from deporta�on.

You do not need to be a US ci�zen to par�cipate.

Interested?

Contact the Researcher, Professor Sofya Aptekar at University of

MassachuseMs Boston to sign up for an interview las�ng 40-90

minutes. You will be asked to share your thoughts on ci�zenship, the process of naturaliza�on, and experience as an immigrant in

the military and as an immigrant veteran.

Email: [email protected] Phone 718-433-6682

Dr. Aptekar will be in Arizona in July.

Par�cipa�on is voluntary and confiden�al.

Sofya Aptekar is an Assistant Professor of Sociology

at University of MassachuseMs Boston.


Northern Arizona VA Health Care System Veterans Stakeholder’s

Town Hall Mee�ng

The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is pleased to host a

Town Hall mee�ng foe all Veterans in the Northern Arizona area.

The Town Hall is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2015 .

from 3:30 pm –5 pm at the Theater (Building 15)

This event will offer Veterans the opportunity to meet with VA leadership and program officials. Town Hall mee�ngs provide an

opportunity for the VA engage Veteran stakeholders and deter-

mine the Veteran’s level of sa�sfac�on with mee�ng their needs throughout the con�nuum of care. Northern Arizona VA Health

Care System strives to deliver Personalized, Proac�ve and Veter-an-Driven healthcare to Veterans and we welcome the opportuni-

ty to showcase our medical center.

If you have any ques�ons about the mee�ng, please contact Mary Dillinger at 928-717-7587.

2015 Gilbert Veterans Day Celebra�on is scheduled for Thursday,

November 5th, star�ng at 11:00 a.m. This is a great event with a dis�nguished guest speaker, music, and parade of colors. Arden A

Rowley Honor Guard is always one of the groups to parade col-ors. Food is provided by vendors as well as it also has sta�c display

of military vehicles, helicopter, etc. along with tables for ADVS,

American Legion, VFW, and others. . This event is held in front of Gilbert Town Hall located northeast

corner Gilbert Road and Civic Center Drive.

Freedom Bell Ringing Ceremony

Please join us on Saturday, July 4th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

for our annual Freedom Bell Ringing ceremony.

Each year the history of the 4th of July is acknowledged fol-lowed by the Ringing of the Bell by those in aMendance.

This is followed by a potluck at the Post.

Once the BELL was the sole communicator between the “masters” and their cap�ves: the Nazis and their prisoners,

who were mostly Jewish and Hungarian professional men, and Poles, during World War II. The concentra�on camp,

called Mathousen, was located 11 miles downstream on the

Danube River, near Linz, Austria’s third largest city. The BELL told the prisoners, who were never allowed to speak, when to

get up, work, eat, exercise, and re�re.

In June 1945, the late Max Connolly, who was from Tempe

and a First Sergeant at that �me, was sta�oned at Horshing

Air Base. He was placed on detached service and his du�es were to return POWs and displaced persons to their homes.

That is when Max decided to liberate the BELL also. With the

help of some of the people who had lived with the dreaded bell, and hated its sound day aOer day and year aOer year

Max set about obtaining the BELL.

This is what happened in Max’s own words:

“One day we drove over to the camp and during the aOernoon

light, we fooled the guards, while

one former inmate scaled the building, high on the side of a

quarry. He hacked down the sup-

port pole, and then lowered by rope the unit composed of pole,

bell, and �n hood. AOer many lengthy aMempts to ship the BELL

to my brother Frank, of the Tem-

pe Daily News, it was barely too wide, and barely too heavy to put

in a mailbag, aOer much conniv-

ing, a coopera�ve officer put the BELL in a bag for me with the

words, “It looks about right to me”. Upon returning to the States, and to Tempe, Max donat-

ed the BELL to William Bloys American Legion Post #2, s�pu-

la�ng that it only be rung in the name of freedom. Shortly aOer, Post 2 members constructed a special belfry on top of

the old Post Home on East FiOh Street, where it hung un�l we

moved into the new Post Home. This special belfry was built in memory of Max to house his “liberated” BELL, and it is rung

on July 4th each year as a symbol of LIBERTY & FREEDOM for all.

When we join together on

our day of Independence, and prepare to ring the

BELL for Freedom and Liberty, it is a most oppor-

tune �me to tell the story

of the BELL. Because of its unique and unusual histo-

ry, it could well qualify as

“Tempe’s Freedom Bell”.

Please feel free to submit flyers/announcements for upcoming

events to the Arizona Veterans Connec�on Magazine to be shared on our social media page. Email me at: [email protected]


When:

First Wednesday of every month from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in Bldg. 21 Room 108

Contact: Geoff Davis, 602-469-7154

or Danny Scalf, 602-309-5688

Facebook contact: www.facebook.com/groups/PHX.VMHAC

Phoenix VA Mental Health Advocacy Council

[email protected]

COME JOIN US

Become a Patriot Guard Rider

We are patriots who join together to Honor Fallen

Heroes and support their families.

“The Patriot Guard Riders” is a 100% Volunteer,

Federally registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organiza�on which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services

honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and

Honorably Discharged Veterans. We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what poli�cal views are, or

whether you’re from or what your income is; you don’t

even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

“Joining” means you are added to our email list for

no�fica�on of upcoming missions.

Just follow this link and register

h"ps://www.patriotguard.org/content.php

...to serve on the

Phoenix Veterans Mental Health

Advocacy Council

WHY:

Advisory Group to Mental Health

Build Consensus

Provide Feedback

Increase Awareness

WHO:

Veterans Receiving Mental Health Services

Veterans’ Family Members

Veteran’ Service Organiza�ons

Community Mental Health Agencies

The magazine‘s purpose is to connect veterans and their families with informa�on, events and resources of importance and relevance to the veterans community. We are commiMed to provide a pla`orm to share the history and legacy of

Arizona veterans past, present, and future; ul�mately as a resource to all who serve or have served. The Arizona Veterans Connec�on has become a recognized veterans magazine to gather and present informa�on that

is current and meaningful to the veterans of Arizona.

Since the beginning of the magazine we have grown and currently reaching a readership of more than 400,000 individuals throughout Arizona as well as na�onwide.

The magazine is solely funded by dona�ons and adver�sements. You can help with the con�nued success of the magazine by placing your business or organiza�ons adver�sement in both the printed and online publica�on,

by contac�ng Marion Cartland Publisher-Editor.

Email: [email protected] or Phone: 602-885-7038

Find us on Facebook at: AZVETCON

The Arizona Veterans Connec�on magazine is published every two months to keep the news “New”

The publica�on is also available online at : h"p://azveteransconnec�on.org

Arizona Veterans Connec�on is NOT affiliated with any government agency, and does NOT receive any government funding.

The U.S. Military Re�red Handbook is a handy tool for all veterans

and can be found at the following hyperlink: hMp://contentz.mkt6426.com/

lp/19265/95558/2014_U.S._Military_Re�red_0.pdf Na�onal Cemetery Administra�on

NCA honors Veterans and their families with final res�ng places in na�onal shrines and with las�ng tributes that commemorate

their service and sacrifice to our Na�on.

hMp://www.cem.va.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;

hMp://www.va.gov/

Benefits: 1-800-827-1000

Health Care: 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Serving Arizona’s Veterans and their families by providing infor-

ma�on and assistance in securing their righ`ul benefits as provid-ed for by state and federal law.

hMps://dvs.az.gov/

3333 North Central Avenue, Suite 1052 Phoenix, AZ 85012

Phone: 602-627-3261 Fax: 602-627-3275

Veterans Employment and Training Service

VETS serves Veterans & Service Members; and provide resources

and exper�se to assist and prepare them to obtain meaningful careers, maximize their employment opportuni�es, and protect

their employment Rights.

(VETS); hMp://www.dol.gov/vets/

DVET Michael Espinosa; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2515

VPA DeeAnna BraMon; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2516

ADVET Jesus Arrieta; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2515 Fax: (602) 542-4103

1400 West Washington Street, Suite 123

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

The Official Benefits website of the U.S. government;

Benefits.gov (formerly GovBenefits.gov) was launched in an effort

to provide ci�zens with easy, online access to government benefit and assistance programs.

hMp://www.benefits.gov/ U.S. federal government website for informa�on on disability

programs and services na�onwide;

Disability.gov, the U.S. federal government website for infor-

ma�on on disability programs and services na�onwide.

hMps://www.disability.gov/

TRICARE health care program for service members (ac�ve, Guard/

Reserve, re�red) and their families;

hMp://www.tricare.mil/ (1-877-988-9378) Military Service and Social Security

www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, (1-800-772-1213)

For the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY number:

1-800-325-0778.

If you became disabled while on ac�ve military service on or aOer

October 1, 2001, visit wounded warriors to find out how you can

receive expedited processing of your disability claim.

Na�onal Contact Center; If you have a ques�on about federal

agencies, programs, benefits, or services

hMp://www.usa.gov/ 1-800-FED-INFO (333-4636)

Women Veterans Hotline

1-855-VA-WOMEN (829-6636)

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)

1-877-345-8179 (or) 1-888-820-1756 Help for Homeless Veterans;

hMp://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ 1-877-4AID-VET 1 (877)424-

3838.

Combat Call Center

1-877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387) Bereavement Counseling 1-202-461-6530

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)

1-877-345-8179 (or) 1-888-820-1756

Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)

1-800-733-8387

Debt Management Center (Collec�on of Non-Medical Debts)

1-800-827-0648

Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Na�onal Call Center for

eBenefits (General Ques�ons & Technical Issues) 1-800-983-0937

Educa�on (GI Bill): 1-888-442-4551

Federal Recovery Coordina�on Program 1-877-732-4456

Foreign Medical Program 1-888-820-1756

Gulf War Veterans Helpline 1-800-749-8387

Homeless veterans 1-877-222-8387

Income Verifica�on and Means Tes�ng 1-800-929-8387

Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477

Meds by Mail 1-888-385-0235 (or) 1-866-229-7389

Na�onal Call Center for Homeless Veterans 1-877-424-3838

Na�onal Cemetery Scheduling Office 1-800-535-1117

Na�onal Personnel Records Center 1-314-801-0800

Pension Management Center 1-877-294-6380

Presiden�al Memorial Cer�ficate Program 1-202-565-4964

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned or Veteran-Owned Small Busi-

ness 1-202-303-3260

Special Health Issues 1-800-749-8387

Spina Bifida/Children of Women Vietnam Veterans

1-888-820-1756

Status of Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947

Telecommunica�ons Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833

VA Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274

VA for Vets 1-855-824-8387

VA Inspector General 1-800-488-8244

VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

1-202-461-7600

Veteran's ID TheO Hot Line 1-800-333-4636

Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)

1-866-487-2365

Women Veterans 1-202-461-1070

Wounded Warrior Resource Center 1-800-342-9647



Honoring America’s Veter-ans

Military Funeral Honors

Bugles Across America NFP

c/o Tom Day, Founder 1824 S. Cuyler Ave.

Berwyn, Illinois

60402-2052

Tom J. Day Founder / President


Phone: 708-484-9029 Fax: 708-484-9896

Roger C. Ellis, Bugler

Mitzi Ellis, Service Flag

Bugles Across America

1301 N. Scottsdale Rd. Apt. 4119

Scottsdale AZ 85257


Cell: (917) 697-9449

Federal FEIN 81-0550869

501[c] 3 filed by the CPA

firm P. Horner, Alaska.

Gene Horner is our player

and State director there. Our

State number is 6217-567-2

To Whom It May Concern:

I wish to introduce myself as a member of Bugles Across America. The mission

of our non-profit organization is to provide a live bugler for the sounding of Taps at the closure ceremony for every veteran, and on other appropriate occasions including funer-

als for law enforcement officers and first responders and memorial services of all types.

By Public Law, every veteran shall be provided military honors at their funeral, upon request. The absolute minimum that is to be provided for these honors is a two-

man flag detail and the sounding of Taps. Due to a critical nationwide shortage of avail-

able buglers, this tribute has far too often been relegated to a recorded version.

In order to restore the dignity and to demonstrate the rightful honor due our veterans, Bugles Across America was founded in 2001 by a USMC veteran, Tom Day. As

of this time the organization has over 7500 registered buglers nationwide. We are listed

in the Funeral Director’s ‘Red Book’ and book-marked by the military units responsible for filling Honors Detail requests.

If you have occasion to need a qualified bugler, please feel free to contact me

directly at (917) 697-9449 (cell Roger) or (917) 580-2156 (cell Mitzi) or by email at [email protected]. If I am unable to fulfill your request from our home base in Scotts-

dale AZ I will make arrangements with another qualified bugler from our organization.

Please know that neither method of requesting a live bugler will add any cost to

the family or others paying funeral expenses. We are strictly a volunteer organization and never charge for our services.

I am accompanied by my wife Mitzi, who respectfully presents the service flag of the branch in which the deceased veteran served.

Roger C. Ellis

Bugler

“Sound The Honor, Honor The Sound”


info@opera�onwelcomehomeaz.com

SUMMARY: Arizona Wall Project is building a 7.7 acre Wel-

come Home Veterans Park, to include as the anchor the only permanent 80 percent scale Vietnam Memorial Wall, west

of the Mississippi. This venue includes a walk of �me with space for future installa�ons commemora�ng American

veterans from 1775 to current wars. Plans also include a

center to facilitate educa�on and year-round programming as well as satellite offices for administra�ve services for vet-

erans. Welcome Home Veterans Park will bring inspira�on

to our community to always support our veterans, educa�on to our youth and healing to our veterans and their families

for genera�ons to come.

WHO WE ARE: …non-profit organiza�on who has conduct-

ed welcome home ceremonies for service persons returning from a tour of duty and their families. These ceremonies

have grown to other communi�es with the goal of every city and town in Arizona adop�ng the tradi�on. Addi�onal

programming includes developing curriculum and coordi-

na�ng volunteers and for Military Apprecia�on Month in May. Opera�on Welcome Home and AZ Wall Project strive

to ins�ll tradi�ons of patrio�sm that support a culture dedi-

cated to honoring and helping our veterans.

WHY THE AZ WALL PROJECT: The Town of Gilbert and Op-

era�on Welcome Home AZ are partners with the Depart-ment of Defense for the commemora�on of the 50thanni-

versary of the Vietnam War. The partnership includes a commitment to hold two events, tributes, or ini�a�ves each

year from 2015-2017. Our commiMee felt strongly that the

lessons of the Vietnam War are so important; we chose to do a project that would last forever.

LOCATION: The Town of Gilbert has dedicated 7.7 acres, adjacent

to the Gilbert Police and Fire Department administra�on building on Civic Center Drive across the street from the Gilbert Town Hall,

to the Arizona Wall Project. Civic Center Drive is also designated American Heroes Way.

PHASES: The project will be built in two phases: � 1st Phase- infrastructure, wall and bathroom � 2nd Phase- the building TIMELINE: � 2015 – Blessing of the ground and ground breaking � 2016 – Infrastructure and Wall � 2017 – Building and dedica�on of the park on Veterans Day 2017

Mission:

Create an inspirational Arizona Wall experience reflective of the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for our country.

AZ Wall Project @AZWallProject

www.AZWALLPROJECT.COM

Welcome Home Veterans Park

Documents

Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 7