Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 6

First Edition � Sixth Issue

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

PFC Oscar Austin

Medal of Honor Recipient

Arizona’s Great Escape

Wounded Warriors vs

NFL Alumni of Arizona

Iwo Jima Flag Raising

Sacaton

Battle for Midway

Part 2

Countdown to Victory

Winter Edition 2015

Inside this issue:

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 re-

source 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

Steve Hoza

Joe Fletcher, Chaplain White Tank Mountain Detachment #1246

Art Sloane

Arizona Veterans Connec�on

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

Call for Nomina�ons for Induc�on into the Arizona Veterans Hall of

Fame Class of 2015

Phoenix, Arizona - The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame located in Phoenix, Arizona, seeks to recognize those Arizonans who have worn the uniform of this Na�on's Armed Forces, performed their military du�es, have been awarded an honorable discharge, and then con�nued to contribute to com-munity, State, and Na�on in an exemplary maner. These outstanding contri-

bu�ons may, for example, be in areas of professional, civic, veteran's advoca-cy, poli�cal and contribu�ons over the life of the nominee. The Arizona Vet-erans Hall of Fame focuses on a nominee's contribu�ons outside of and a:er his/her military service. Regarding eligibility for nomina�on to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, the nominee must have been born in Arizona, entered military service from Arizo-na, or lived in Arizona for a minimum of 5 years; must have received an hon-orable discharge from the US military service; be of good character and have no felony convic�ons. Eligibility requirements are based on the Nomina�on applica�on deadline, or March 31st of the year. Posthumous nomina�ons are accepted. To preclude conflict of interest or the appearance thereof, employ-ees of the Governor's Office Execu�ve Staff, the Arizona Department of Veter-ans’ Services Director and the Director’s Execu�ve Staff, the UAV Chairperson and members of the UAV AVHOF Selec�ons CommiGee, are not eligible for nomina�on for induc�on into the AVHOF Class of 2015. The Nomina�on Form containing the guidelines for submiIng a Nomina�on is posted on the web site: www.azuav.org.

The postmark deadline is March 31st each year for submiIng the Nomina-�on Form, the copy of DD-Form 214 Proof of Honorable Military Service or Cer�ficate of Honorable Discharge (prior to 1950), and the Narra�ve address-ing the Guidelines. The Nomina�on packet is limited to a maximum of 12 single-sided pages, 8½ by 11. Nomina�ons exceeding 12 single-sided chang-es will be returned to the nominator for the re-submission of 12 single-sided pages. The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Induc�on Ceremony is ched-uled for Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Phoenix MarrioG Tempe at The BuGes, 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe 85282.

Veterans, military and the public are invited to the Induc�on Ceremony and luncheon. Luncheon registra�on will be posted in September 2015 at the web site: www.azuav.org

For more informa�on about the Nomina�on procedure, please contact Carol Culbertson, Secretary, Unified Arizona Veterans, at email: [email protected] or [email protected],

or telephone (602) 943.7834. Media Point of Contact: Rob Welch, Chairman, Unified Arizona Veterans Email: cel�[email protected] Office: (480) 292-5822

In regards to the front cover:

The Bald Eagle on the cover is a rescue

bird. Her name is “Aurora “. She is kept

at Liberty Wildlife, an animal rescue

and rehabilita�on group in Sco#sdale.

The picture in the background was cap-

tured at Monument Valley AZ.

Photography by Marion Cartland

Living Symbol of Freedom

Aurora, a beau�ful Bald Eagle. Liberty Wildlife travels around the state with Aurora to raise awareness and de-

livers a strong message of the importance of conserva-�on. Visit their website and see how you can help:

www.libertywildlife.org Photo by Marion Cartland


The 2nd Annual Memorial Services / Remembrance Day for PFC

Oscar Aus�n, USMC took place on February 22, 2015. The Oscar Aus�n Recogni�on CommiGee held a Day of Remembrance in

honor of Aus�n and his act of heroism that saved lives during the Vietnam Conflict. (Feb 23, 1969). The event was held at

Greenwood Cemetery on 23rd Ave and Van Buren, near the

Vietnam Wall of Honor. The event was aGended by family and friends to honor and acknowledge his service and duty to his

comrades and country. Notable par�cipants were the Buffalo

Soldiers of America / Arizona Chapter, American Legion and the Office of Veterans Affairs – Recogni�on Group. The Colors and

21 gun salute was presented by the Buffalo Soldiers of America and the POW/MIA/KIA Honor Guard lead by D. Carrasco.

PFC Aus�n was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on January 15,

1949, the son of Frank and Mildred Aus�n. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1967 and was inducted into the

United States Marine Corps at Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22,

1968. PFC Aus�n was an assistant machine gunner with Compa-ny E, Second BaGalion, Seventh Marines; First Marine Division.

While serving with his company six

miles west of Da Nang, South Vietnam, on February 23, 1969, his company was

in ac�on during the early morning hours against a large North Vietnamese

force. A:er his post was aGacked, he

no�ced a wounded comrade uncon-scious in an exposed posi�on. Aus�n

unhesita�ngly went to his aid. When a

grenade landed near the injured man he leaped between it and the wounded

marine and absorbed the effects of the explosion. Badly wounded, he turned

to render aid to his fallen comrade and saw an enemy soldier

aiming a weapon at the wounded man. Once again he resolutely threw himself between the wounded marine and the enemy

soldier and in so doing was mortally wounded. The Medal of

Honor was presented to his parents by Vice President Spiro Ag-new on April 20, 1970, at the White House.

Memorial Service and Day of Remembrance for PFC Oscar Austin

Private First Class Oscar Palmer Aus�n’s

medals include:

Medal of Honor

Purple Heart

Na�onal Defense Ser-vice Medal

Vietnam Service Medal w/two bronze stars Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

USS Oscar Aus�n (DDG-79) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The ship is currently part of Carrier Strike Group Ten. Oscar Aus�n is named for Private First Class Oscar P. Aus�n, USMC, a recipient of the Medal of Honor


4th Marine Division Memorial Ceremony 4th Marine Division Memorial Ceremony 4th Marine Division Memorial Ceremony 4th Marine Division Memorial Ceremony

Every year on or near the Iwo Jima Landing and Flag Raising

anniversary, survivors from the Pacific Campaign gather at the 4th Marine Division Memorial at the north side of Wesley Bolin

Plaza on the east side of the State Capitol buildings. They as-semble there to honor and show respect for those who gave

and sacrificed at a pivotal moment in World War II.

On February 20th, 2015 the WWII veterans and many others gathered at 1100 hours for a 30 minute service to honor and

remember the 4th Marine Division of the United States Marine

Corps was formed. The organiza�on and re-designa�on of sev-eral other units and were formally ac�vated in August 1943.

A:er intensive training, the "Figh�ng Fourth of WWII" shipped

out in January 1944, and in 13 months made four major am-

phibious assaults in the baGles of Kwajalein ( Roi-Namur ), Sai-pan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. On Iwo Jima, the 4th Marine Division

along with the 3rd and 5th Marine Divisions were given the du-bious honor of assaul�ng and taking the island on February 19,

1945 - 70 years ago. The Patriot Guard Riders also par�cipated

and stood the flag line to honor the service of The Fourth Ma-rine Division, members of “The Greatest Genera�on”. The me-

morial and many others are something to be seen and shared

with all and are on display at the Wesley Bolin Plaza in down-town Phoenix next to the Arizona Capitol Museum.

Thank you so much to Gordon Brown of “Team Veteran” that presented James Carey with a check for $5000 to help him re-ceive HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), that he will be receiv-ing in Louisiana by Dr. Paul Harch. Dr. Harch and Harch Ins�tute are helping with the remaining costs. We are only hoping that the VA will approve his need to stay in an Acute Rehab Hospital while he is there. That is the only baGle we are currently facing. This therapy is amazing. Please google HBOT.com and see the amazing work and help especially for Vets with PTSD. If you have anyone you know in congress or at the Phoenix VA please send leGers, emails or calls to the Phoenix VA to approve James to go to United Medical Rehab Hospital in Marrero, Louisiana. We need your prays. He is supposed to start therapy on 3/9 so we don't have much �me.. Thank you Gordon and everyone else praying for our son. . UPDATE: I just received word late yesterday evening the VA has approved 90 days, NOW wai�ng for the facility to give their go ahead. James and his family leave tomorrow Saturday, to start treatments on Monday! . UPDATE2: Flying to Louisiana in the morning to take our son to have Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) thanks to Gordon Brown of Team Veteran. Only challenge now is geIng the VA to approve his stay at United Medical Rehab Hospital. They only want to approve a sub-acute facility which is basically a Senior

Nursing Care facility. He was already turned down by one as they know they can't help him with his needs due to his blind-ness, size and spas�city. Why can't the VA figure that our son deserves the best therapy while he is geIng this amazing thera-py which by the way VA will not pay for or recognize at this �me even though it is helping so many Vets with PTS. If you know anyone in any type of a power posi�on that can reach out to the VA to approve James geIng Acute therapy, please contact us. Anyone and everyone who can call the VA Phoenix Pa�ent Advo-cate, our congressman, Senator, Mayor… whoever, please do and or contact me privately!!! We need your prayers. At least we will have a liGle fun in New Orleans for the weekend. James

H. Carey is so ex-cited to start this new venture. . Thank you all!!!

This is Gordon with our family!!!


Arizona Submarine Veterans Perch Base Awards Annual Banquet

The 2015 Arizona Submarine Veterans Perch Base Awards Ban-

quet took place on 24 January 2015 at the Pebblecreek Country Club in Goodyear AZ. The fes�vi�es were filled with the warmth

and brotherhood of shipmates. The evening started with the welcome to all by the Base Commander of the Commander of

the Perch Base, Howard Doyle. Steve Leon, the Chaplain present-

ed the invoca�on acknowledging all those past and present in prayer. All hands enjoyed an evening filled with dinner and

drinks and shared stories.

Guest speaker for this year’s banquet was Captain Gene Doyle, Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven, San Diego, CA. He

entered the Navy as a commissioned officer through Officer Can-didate School, a:er gradua�ng from Montana State University in

1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Captain Doyle has been very ac�ve in his career serving the sub-marine community and U.S. Navy.

The awards por�on of the banquet recognized several deserving

recipients of membership awards as well as the “Sailor of the Year” for 2014 for the Perch Base veterans group. Awards were

presented for Longevity, and Early Bird Dues. George Crider was

recognized as 2014 “Sailor of the Year” for the Perch Base. There was a Silent Auc�on that resulted in raising $1109.00 for the

Perch Base group.

There was also a ceremony occurs every banquet and that is the

Tolling for the Boats. The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World

War Two originally established the "Tolling for the Boats" cere-mony. It is a unique and �me-honored memorial service and is in

keeping with the finest tradi�ons of the Navy. Custom has estab-

lished that this ceremony is formal, and it honors the memory of those submariners who lost their lives in the line of duty, espe-

cially the majority who perished during World War Two. In the ceremony, the names of each of the U.S. submarines lost, along

with the fate of its crew, are read aloud as a ship’s bell is tolled

for each in turn.

The evening ended with closing remarks, remembrance of

“Departed Shipmates” and Benedic�on by Perch Base Com-

mander Howard Doyle and the chaplain Steve Leon.

Le� to Right: Howard Doyle presen�ng the “Sailor of the year “ award to George Crider.

L to R: Howard Doyle and Capt. Gene Doyle Perch Base members and Capt. Gene Doyle

Everyone was invited to stop on Sunday, March 8, 2015 to “Pray

– Salute – Support” our military men and women at the Gra�tude Corner Tribute Wall located at the corner of 143 RD Avenue &

Indian Springs Road in Goodyear, AZ. The BBQ style luncheon was held in support and help of employing “unemployable” veterans.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his wife Ava stopped by to sign the wall, as

well as many veterans, friends and family members of veterans. UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organiza�on

focusing on issues important to military families. We believe that

the men and women who have served or are serving our country should be treated with respect and dignity. So that each and eve-

ry military family deserves every opportunity to have the security of a home, employment op�ons and reliable transporta�on that

get them to their jobs and back home again. .

UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS is commiGed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country. It is our duty and our honor

to assist our veterans and their immediate families and this or-

ganiza�on is designed to give a “Hand Up, Not a Hand Out”; offering assistance where needed in a dignified and honorable

manner to members of the military and their families. We can do this but not alone. UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS does their work

through dona�ons of money, house materials and opportuni�es

to make a living. This gives our servicemen the chance to make a difference in their community. We assist in a variety of ways to

ensure a smooth adjustment for the families of the deployed and

an easier transi�on to civilian life once they have returned. We

ARE only a phone call away. Our Vision is to provide needed op-

portuni�es and support to both our military personnel and their families whether they are currently deployed or have recently

returned. . For more informa�on visit their website at:

: www.upbytheirbootstraps.org

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Jay Humphrey, Founder of Up by their Bootstraps

One of the liGle-known facets of World War Two history is the

story of German prisoners of war (POWs) who were held in the United States from 1942 to 1946. By the end of the war in Europe,

some 400,000 soldiers from all over the baGlefronts of Europe and Africa were brought to the America. War�me condi�ons near the

baGlefronts made the logis�cs of housing and feeding so many

POWs nearly impossible. It was decided to begin bringing the pris-oners to US shores where they could be handled closer to the ten-

ants of the Geneva Conven�on.

The prisoners were housed in 511 camps in nearly every state in the con�nental United States. These prisoners would become a

subs�tute labor force in America, working on farms and in various non-war related work, being paid for their efforts.

The State of Arizona had 23 such camps. The largest in the state,

and one of the largest in the country, was on the northern out-skirts of the town of Florence. The second largest camp was in

Papago Park, located on then-federal land just north of where the

Phoenix Zoo now stands. The other camps were small tent camps that were constructed on or near the agricultural centers where

the prisoners did work harves�ng crops.

Camp Papago Park was a place of internment for members of the

German Navy: U-boat men, merchant mariners, surface raiders

and land-based naval personnel. The camp held approximately 3,000 prisoners and, like most POW camps in the country, was a

self-contained city. It had its own power plant, hospital, fire de-

partment, police force, (US military policemen), theaters, sports fields and newspapers for both the Germans and the American

personnel.

Escapes from Camp Papago Park, and the other camp, were com-

mon. Guarding was rather lax as it was believed that, even if a pris-

oner were to get loose, they really couldn’t get very far. Upon re-capture, POWs were subjected to punishment no worse than two

weeks on bread and water. With these condi�ons, there was really

liGle incen�ve for the Germans to want to wander away from a work detail for a few hours or days of freedom before either turn-

ing themselves in or being retaken.

Camp Papago Park may have disappeared into historical obscurity

if it was not for one escape: the largest single mass escape on

American soil during the war. The prisoners in Compound 1A were veteran escapees from the other camps that they had been trans-

ferred from in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas. One of the escap-ees, Heinrich Palmer, describes the plan and his par�cipa�on in it:

. . . I was held in Compound Two. I heard of the plan to escape by

tunnel through a contact I had in Compound One where the tunnel was being dug. I talked to my friend Reinhard Mark about it and

immediately he was willing to take part in it. I don’t know who it

was that had the idea to tunnel out. When I heard about the plan the tunnel was already being dug. It was about the middle of De-

cember [1944] when the tunnel was ready. There were 25 men par�cipa�ng in the escape. Twenty-three were in Compound One.

The prisoners in Compound One were the so-called

‘troublemakers,’ as the Americans called them.

I did not help with the digging of the tunnel, but I was told of the

difficul�es that had to be overcome. The soil in the tunnel was

hard, but not so hard that it couldn’t be broke through. Digging was done mainly at night so that they wouldn’t be interrupted by

surprise searches by the guards. As the tunnel got longer, geIng the dirt out became a problem. They then built a small wood cart

with wheels that would be pulled back and forth between the man

digging and a man at the entrance.

The leader of the escapees was former U-boat commander (and

officer from the German pocket baGleship Graf Spee) Jürgen WaGenberg. On the night of December 23rd, 1944, the 25 Ger-

mans escaped in teams of two and three. Their objec�ve was to

get into Mexico (which had not yet declared war on the Axis) and get on a neutral ship back to Germany.

Three of the prisoners did not like the idea of hiking all the way

through the deserts of central and southern Arizona. Escapees Wilhelm Günther, Fritz Utzolino and Wolfgang Clarus had a stolen

Arizona road map that showed the Gila River as a blue line that flowed into the Colorado River, then south into the Gulf of Califor-

nia. Months before the escape, they built a three-man kayak which

they smuggled in two sec�on, including oars, through the tunnel. When they reached the Gila River, they were cres`allen to discov-

er that the river was just a series of puddles. They were re-

captured soon a:erwards.

There were hundreds of (mistaken) sigh�ngs of the Germans, from

California to New Mexico to Colorado. Even a troop of Boy Scouts hiking in the hills near San Diego were reported to the authori�es.


The three POWs who a$empted to sail a kayak down the Gila River and to freedom. From le� is Wolfgang Clarus, Wilhelm Günther and Fritz Utzolino.

Captain Jürgen Wa$enberg (standing in center with arms folded) and fellow “troublemakers” of Compound 1A in Camp Papago Park. Many of the POWs in this photograph par�cipated in the mass tunnel escape of December 1944.

Arizona’s Great Escape By Steve Hoza

All of the escapees were recaptured only a few weeks a:er the

escape. Dorothy Jorgensen, who worked in the Provost Marshall Office at Camp Papago Park, recounts:

I was not involved with any of the interroga�ons of the recap-tured prisoners, but I did type up all of the transcripts. They

thought it was a big joke. They knew they really couldn’t escape.

It was boredom and they had to do something. It was just to cause some trouble for the Americans. Some of them had given

themselves up right away because it was cold and rainy the night

of the escape and they wanted to get out of it.

Heinrich Palmer and his partner, Reinhard Mark, made it the

furthest of all the POWs. They made it, on foot (traveling at night), from the Phoenix area to within 10 miles of the Mexican

border in 11 days. They were recaptured by members of the US

Border Patrol as they slept under some bushes. A:er being frisked, the two prisoners were taken by car to the town of Sell,

Arizona. Palmer con�nues: . . we

stopped in front of a drug store where we could choose what we

wanted to eat for the evening. The Border Patrol officer paid for

it. We drove on and stopped in

front of a bungalow-style house. It was the home and service

shops for the Border Patrol offic-

ers. One of them took us to the restroom where we were allowed

to clean up. A:er 11 days we needed it.

Although we didn’t have our bag-

gage they s�ll didn’t trust us and we were guarded even while in

the bathroom. Meanwhile the

wife of the house prepared our

meal and invited us in to the table that was decked out with a

white tablecloth. We demonstrated that we were civil Europe-ans by using our knives and forks properly. We were quite popu-

lar in Sells. While we ate and even a:erwards, the people would come and press their noses against the windows to look at us.

We couldn’t understand what was so interes�ng to them.

A:er we ate we were invited into the living room. The American officials and their wives did so much for us that we got the feel-

ing that we were part of the family. Because the US Army could

not pick us up immediately we stayed the night as their guests.

In the words of many of the former guards and POWs, the es-

cape was soon forgoGen and everyone got back to the usual workings of the camp. All was not well, however, with the Amer-

ican public and the Arizona state legislature. Hearings were held

on how the prisoners could have built such a tunnel right under the noses of the American personnel in the camp. The US camp

commander was reassigned. Angry leGers to the local newspa-

pers complained of the amounts of food found on the recap-tured Germans in a society that was subject to ra�oning.

Reflec�ng back over 40 years a:er the event, Heinrich Palmer said:

At Papago Park, the US officers and the guard personnel always

treated me fair and correct despite the trouble that our escape caused. From the things I’ve read, I have learned that our march

through the desert was a real feat. My escape was an adventure

for me. At that �me I did not think about the dangers and what could have happened to me. As a youth, one is always op�mis�c

and posi�vely-oriented. I would like to add that none of us ever thought of sabotage or of harming any American ci�zens during

our escape. It was pure youthful desire for adventure. I just

wanted to leave the everyday life of a POW and try to reach a desired goal. What amazes me is that even 45 years later my

escape is s�ll of interest.


POW iden�ty photograph of escapee Heinrich Palmer. Palmer had been a crewman on the raider Thor.

Newspaper ar�cle from The Phoenix Gaze$e. By the �me this ar�cle appeared, several of the prisoners had been recaptured.


McFarland Memorial Dedication and Museum Exhibit

On Saturday February 14th, 2015 a new memorial was dedicat-

ed at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix.

The memorial is to acknowledge Ernest W. McFarland, or “Mac”

as he liked to be called, served Arizona as an U.S. Senator (1941-1953), Governor (1955-1959) and Chief Jus�ce of the Supreme

Court (1965-1971). His impact on Arizona is s�ll being felt today;

whether it was figh�ng for water rights, his �reless work on the G.I. Bill of Rights or the impressive amount of opinions he wrote

as an Arizona Supreme Court Jus�ce; McFarland has le: a

las�ng legacy of change and improvement across Arizona. Mac’s greatest accomplishment was crea�ng real opportuni�es for

others to pursue their dreams. The exhibit will con�nue to sup-port that legacy on behalf of the late senator

John D. Lewis gave the opening speech about McFarland’s con-

tribu�ons and life’s work for veterans and Arizona followed by an Invoca�on given by Rev. Dr. Larry Norris, Senior Pastor, cen-

tral United Methodist Church. McFarland family members and

honorary guests were introduced and spoke during the com-memora�on. Vincent Murray, MA, Historian spoke of “Mac”

McFarland’s legacy to Arizona’s veterans. Don W. Ryden, AIA and his son Erik Ryden the designers and architects of the

McFarland Memorial, shared how they developed their vision to

the final design. The ceremonial presenta�on of the memorial to

the people of Arizona was done by Nola Barnes of the Arizona Department of Administra�on. The event concluded with the

ribbon cuIng by members of the McFarland family.

Arizona Capitol Museum is also honoring the late Sen. McFar-

land with the “Father of the G.I. Bill” exhibit that opened on

February 28th, 2015. The G.I. Bill con�nues to fund educa�on and provide low-interest, zero-down home loans to millions of

veterans to this day. The McFarland room is the latest addi�on

to the exhibit Arizona: Defense to Development, which explores the impact World War II had on the state. “Since 1944, more

than 19 million service members na�onwide have benefiGed from Senator McFarland’s legisla�on,” said Secretary of State

Michele Reagan. “A veteran of World War I, it was important to

McFarland to assist veterans transi�oning back into civilian life.”

The new McFarland exhibit has an interac�ve element that al-

lows visitors to create their own virtual memorial. Visitors use

their great life accomplishments, real or imagined, and create a monument depic�ng their lives. Compare your virtual memorial

with the new Ernest McFarland Memorial newly rededicated in Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

Above: Don W. Ryden and J. Erik Ryden

Right: McFarland family members cuIng the ribbon at the dedica�on.

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


Masonic Presentation at Phoenix Veterans Home

On Sunday the 4th of January, Most Worshipful (MW) Mike

Manning made a special presenta�on to a deserving brother Worshipful Brother (WB) Charles Morris at the Arizona State

Veterans Home. This presenta�on was filled with several chal-lenges and searches to fulfill its ul�mate goal. The following is a

brief story of the commitment of one lodge brothers’ efforts to

take care of a fellow Mason and veteran. .

A brief history of the presenta�on, MW Manning had a chance

mee�ng with a brother at the VA home in September of 2014. One of the nursing staff indicated to him that there was a

resident a couple doors from his father who had a Masonic ring similar to his, and it would be nice if he could speak with

him. She cau�oned Mike that he was a Demen�a pa�ent and

did not speak a whole lot other than yes/no. He met with Broth-er Morris a couple days later and a:er comparing rings, a certain

light came back to this brother. He talked and talked and con�n-

ues to talk about Masonry. Mike asked when he was raised a Mason and Bro. Morris could not recall the date but said it was a

lodge in Ohio. .

Mike decided to contact the Grand Lodge of Ohio and was put in

contact with the lodge secretary WB James Gillahan. The lodge secretary indicated that the original lodge Brother Morris was

raised in has since merged with their lodge in the late 90’s. WB

Gillahan indicated that Brother Morris was listed as suspended due to Non Paid Dues, for several years. It appeared that Bro.

Morris had just disappeared from the earth. Mike explained the circumstances and that he was and has been for some �me a

permanent resident of the Arizona State Veterans Home in

Phoenix. WB Gillahan informed me that they were having a stat-ed mee�ng the following week and would present this to the

lodge for ac�on. .

The following month Brother Manning received a phone call

from the Ohio Lodge secretary indica�ng that Quarry Lodge vot-ed unanimously to re-instate this brother, and forever relieve

him from further dues. Mike was told that their lodge was pre-paring a leGer and dues card and would be mailing it to him in

the coming weeks. He was also informed that Bro. Morris was

raised a Master Mason in 1967 in Denison OH. Bro. Morris was one of those brothers who aGended lodge 1-2 �mes a month at

best due to work commitments and family, however when he

was in lodge and called upon knew all parts of the ritual and could sit any chair needed for the lodge, however could never

commit to a chair and never advanced to the chair of Worshipful Master WM. .

Mike was able to get the contact informa�on for Bro. Morris’s spouse, Cathleen, who is also a resident of a long term care facil-

ity in the Phoenix area. Mrs. Morris was very excited to hear

what was done, and indicated that he truly loved his �me in the lodge and was also a member of ScoIsh Rite (32nd). Mrs. Mor-

ris went on to say that she was concerned about him not having his original white apron. She stated that his father was also a

Mason, and upon his death they could not locate his white

apron, so Bro. Morris put his own on his father so he could be properly clad for his journey to the celes�al lodge. WM Manning

again contacted Quarry Lodge and requested a white apron

from their lodge with appropriate names/dates which he re-ceived for presenta�on to Bro. Morris. WM Manning took this

request to one of his lodges, Camelback 75, and a:er telling the story of Bro. Morris he was voted in unanimously voted in as an

Honorary Member and an Honorary Past Master of Camelback

lodge. On January 4th 2015, MW Mike Manning presented WB Charles Morris with his patrio�c Past Masters apron in front of a

crowd of over 100 Masonic Brothers and family/friends.

Charles being acknowledged

by a fellow Masonic brothers.

(Center - boGom) Charles’s

wife placing his father’s

Masonic ring on his finger.


Wounded Warriors versus The NFL Alumni of Arizona - 2015

A Game of Honor took place on Wednesday, January 28 at Shad-

ow Mountain High School in Phoenix, AZ. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team was composed of veterans of the Iraq

and Afghanistan conflicts who now wish to visibly demonstrate that the loss of a limb does not mean the end of an athle�c ca-

reer. To honor America’s military and their families, Humana, a

leading health and well-being company, hosted the charity flag football game between the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football

Team and more than 40 current and re�red Na�onal Football

League stars, including former players from the Arizona Cardi-nals. With over 10,000 in aGendance, including Arizona Gover-

nor Doug Ducey, the WWAFT improved its record to 10-0 with a 58-21 thumping of the NFL Alumni at their Super Bowl 49 Trib-

ute & Flag Football Challenge.

The event was more than just a compe��on between players, it

was an event filled with support from the community for the veterans who served and gave so much for their country. The

excitement and fun was shared by all who got to meet celebri-

�es, local community leaders, local company representa�ves / supporters as well as members of both teams.

One of the highlights was the par�cipa�on by Rap Music per-

former “Snoop Dogg” who entertained all by being an honorary member of the Wounded Warriors Amputee Football Team for

the game. Many NFL legends were interac�ng with many of the fans who aGended the event by signing autographs and sports

memorabilia.

This is the fi:h Wounded Warrior charity football game Humana

has sponsored. Humana’s overall contribu�on to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team is $250,000. Proceeds from the

game benefit the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team

(WWAFT) and various disabled veterans organiza�ons in Arizo-na.

Launched in 2011, Humana’s Veterans Ini�a�ve looks to serve

veterans in three ways: careers with Humana support for entre-preneurship, and well-being products and services. Humana has

hired more than 2,300 veterans and/or spouses and will con�n-

ue its veterans hiring efforts well into the future. Humana is also commiGed to suppor�ng veterans’ occupa�onal futures through

a $1-million contribu�on to the na�onal Entrepreneurship Boot camp for Veterans with Disabili�es (EBV). For more informa�on,

visit www.Humana.com.

Above: WWAFT team members arriving ,prac�cing. Right: Rocky Bleier, decorated Vietnam veteran and four-�me Super Bowl champion Le:: Snoop Dogg; son of a Vietnam Veteran.


Dave Stevens, a former minor league baseball player for the St. Paul Saints and current ESPN Assignment Desk Manager

Dan Manucci , co-host of a sports radio talk show, former NFL player


Seventy years has passed since the U.S. Marines first raised the

American flag on Mt. Suribachi on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. On Saturday February 21st at 0830, the annual Gila River

Indian Community Iwo Jima Memorial Parade in Sacaton, Arizo-na to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Flag Raising

on Iwo Jima. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian

Na�on and Lt. Gov. Monica L. Antone welcomed the many vet-erans as they proceeded down Casa Blanca road in Sacaton.

Governor Lewis praised the veterans for their service and

acknowledged the sacrifices they made to preserve our free-doms. The parade began with a flyover of a B-25J Mitchell

Bomber (Made in The Shade) accompanied by forma�on of 6 WWII Boeing/Stearman also flew over the parade.

This year’s parade brought over 110 entries to the Gila River

Indian Community. Veterans groups came from as far away as North Dakota, Washington and Illinois. Among the procession

of WWII veterans, six Navajo Code Talkers came out to support

the event. Each of them was showered with thanks from fellow veterans and parade guests. There were Iwo Jima survivors,

Code Talkers & Na�ve American Veterans Groups from New York to Florida to Oklahoma up to Michigan & Wisconsin.

Tribes from Washington to Montana & the Dakotas, Kansas,

New Mexico and all over Arizona were in aGendance. American Legion Posts, VFW posts, Marine Corps League Detachments

and ROTC / JROTC groups from all branches. Veterans Motorcy-

cle Clubs, Bagpipers and many other groups were present to honor this day.

Kenneth Hayes, brother of Ira, and a highly decorated Korean

War veteran, was Grand Marshal of the parade. Adam Beach was Honorary Grand Marshall for this year’s Gila River Indian

Community Iwo Jima Memorial Parade. He has played PFC Ira H. Hayes in the “Flags of our Fathers” and then as a Navajo

Code Talker in “Windtalkers”. Mr. Beach even got up and per-

formed by singing an “Honor Song” to pay respect to those warriors of the past and present. He also spoke to those gath-

ered at the park of his respect in maintaining and con�nuing

the tradi�ons of his ancestors for the future. Beach closed the ceremonies by talking about his apprecia�on for service men

and women. He said, “Working on this film, I’ve learned that our veterans or new soldiers, they have a lot of courage, but a

humble quality.”

Later in the day, Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 placed wreaths at the different monuments at Mathew B. Juan – Ira H.

Hayes Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to fallen com-

rades and the sacrifices they made. Post 84 Commander Urban Giff started off the ceremony saying, “The mission we have

here is to give due reverence and recogni�on for the raising of the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima.” He said the families

at home also endure the hardships of not knowing the fate of

their family member. “We thank you for your courage, and we thank you for your support.”

70th Anniversary of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising

Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 opening the parade. Adam Beach


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Military Family Support Group Until They All Come Home

Monthly Packing Party

Join us on the last Wednesday of every month from 5:00 to 8:00 PM for our packing party to send care packages overseas. De-cember is the only month we do not have a packing party.

We meet at: Sweet Tomatoes, 10046 N 26th Dr, Phoenix, AZ (off the I-17 access road northbound between Dunlap and Peoria

Ea�ng is an op�on however; Sweet Tomatoes gives us their 15% coupon discount if you men�on you are with our group.

Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to have someone in the Military. All we ask is that you want to support our troops.

What We Need/Care Packages

Small canned food and fruit (pop-top lids), Candy, snacks

(nothing that will melt), Gatorade/Tang/Kool-Aid (sweetened powder drink mixes), Juice boxes. Coffee bags (Folger singles,

etc), condiment packs from fast food restaurants, Beef Jerky

Foot powder/body powder, Microwave popcorn, Tuna/meat

packets (foil packs), crackers, Hand towels & wash cloths, Facial �ssue – travel packs, Twin sheets/pillow cases, Lysol, Fabreeze,

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, Sunscreen, Insect repellant – non-aerosol, Wet wipes (baby wipes, unscented), Razors, Hand and

body lo�on (unscented), Hand sani�zer, Crossword puzzle books

Pocket-sized games, AA baGeries, Calling cards for overseas, DVD’s/CD’s (new or used).

Items are easier to pack if they are travel sized. Pop-top cans or

foil pouches for food items. Dried fruit like small raisin boxes, nut items, small packs of cookies and crackers pack nicely. Make

sure items will fit the flat-rate box size 14″x12″x3-1/2″.

We are an all-volunteer 501 C 3 non-profit. Your dona�ons are

tax deduc�ble. Your dona�ons are a vital part of making sure

our men and women overseas get care packages while serving in harms way. Any amount you are able to donate will make that

difference. To donate or for more info visit their webpage at :

hGp://www.militaryfamilysupportgroup.org

StandDown Feedback by Art Sloane

The leadership of Maricopa StandDown wants to thank the many doctors and other providers at the recent StandDown, which treated the 570 pets that aGended with their owners. Veterinarians who donated their services were Dr. Connie Anderson, Animal

House Veterinarian Clinic, Queen Creek; Dr. Colleen Salmon, VCA Phoenix West Animal Hospital; Dr. Lindsay Danner, VCA Mesa

Animal Hospital and Dr. NaneGe Westhof, VCA Tri-City Animal Hospital and Acacia Cat Hospital.

In addi�on three groomers brought in their trucks: Jason@Aussie Mobile Pet Grooming, 602-688-3174; Toyre@Petutopia, 623-755

-1050; and [email protected], 602-692-4701 North Phoenix area only. Also taking part were Maricopa County Ani-mal Care and Control, which spayed and neutered pets. They had two 31-foot units. Vets who did not bring their pet were given a

free cer�ficate for care at another �me. Also, thanks go to Dogs on Deployment and Pets Smart Chari�es. Also a big thank you to

Bonnie Clark of Pads for Paws in Sun Lakes for providing 200 dog beds.

These services, under the direc�on of Julie Carlson, a cer�fied veterinary technician from the Pima Medical Ins�tute, and her

mother, Connie, will also be offered at the Flagstaff StandDown in May.

Many veterans have contacted me over the years to try and get in touch with a friend from the service. At StandDown this past week, Shelly Cloud, a professional inves�gator, found someone for me in less than 10 minutes. She will provide this service for any

veteran. Contact her at 520-224-5621 [email protected]

I met many outstanding veterans helping at the Maricopa StandDown this past weekend. Now is the �me to nominate them for

induc�on into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. Nomina�ons are open un�l March 31. Nomina�on papers are available at www.azuav.org.

Contact Rob Welch, chairman of the Unified Arizona Veterans, at 480-292-5822 with all ques�ons or myself, Art Sloane, at 480-802

-6810. Do not wait for someone else to do it — act now.

Reach re�red Master Chief PeGy Officer Arthur G. Sloane, Coast Guard, at 480-802-6810 [email protected].

Closing ceremony at the StandDown The JROTC unit from BeGy H Fairfax High School posted the colors

Master Chief PeGy Officer Arthur G. Sloane, Coast Guard Ret.

Guest Speaker at the closing Ceremony Congressman Ruben Gallego


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 commiGed 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.

For Every Drop of Blood - For Every Life Devoted Veterans

Memorial - by Joe Tyler . Bronze, copper, steel, sandstone and concrete - Completed:

2001 This artwork includes five welded steel trees, one for each

branch of the armed services. The intertwined limbs of each

sculpted tree are symbolic of the combined efforts of the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard in the defense of

the United States. The leaves in the sculpted canopies represent

the thousands of Veterans who have served, are currently serv-ing and will serve in the Armed Forces. In the center is an obelisk

featuring a depic�on of the baGleship silver service paGern com-missioned for the USS Arizona and actual salvaged pieces from

the USS Arizona. .

Joe Tyler currently lives and works in Arizona. He has successfully completed public art projects for several Valley ci�es,

including Tempe, ScoGsdale, Mesa and Phoenix. The City of Glen-

dale gratefully acknowledges the Glendale Veterans Memorial Associa�on and Bob ManzeI (donator of USS Arizona salvaged

pieces) for their help in the crea�on of the Veterans Memorial. The Memorial is located at: .

Glendale Public Library .

5959 W. Brown Street . The Memorial borders Sahuaro Ranch Park, which offers both a

recrea�onal and historic experience. This park is unique with its

historic ranch buildings and its recrea�onal park areas. Visitors can picnic, play on the playgrounds, visit with chickens, view pea-

cocks, explore the old ranch grounds or play a ball game.

This maybe a good place for a "Ride Stop", there is plenty of

FREE parking at the Library and/or the Park which borders the

Library.

Glendale Veterans Memorial


The Battle For Midway, June, 1942: Anatomy of a Miracle Part 2: The Die is Cast

By Herb Zinn

In Part 1 of this series, we examined how Japan's culture and belief system laid the groundwork for defeat at Midway. There were, however, other important considera�ons that sealed Japan's fate. We will examine these next.

The commonly held belief is that Japan's Midway disaster stemmed from poor tac�cal leadership: had 1st Kido Butai's commander, Ad-miral Nagumo Chuichi, not ordered his reserve aircra: to change

from ship-killing bombs and torpe-does to high explosives for use against ground targets for a second strike against Midway, his carriers would never have been caught as they were by American dive bomb-ers, with deck loads of fueled and armed aircra:. The facts do not support this at all. Nagumo bears some of the blame for Japan's de-feat, but not all of it. There is a blend of factors out of Nagumo's control that needs to be beGer un-derstood to appreciate how the U.S. Navy succeeded against such over-whelming odds.

First, the odds were not so overwhelming. The two forces that con-fronted each other on June 4, 1942 were fairly evenly matched in terms of striking power. Japan had been successful in the first six months of the war by massing the combined strength of all six of 1st Kido Butai's fleet carriers. Midway was a departure, because one-third of 1st Kido Butai's strength had been crippled at Coral Sea. Without Shokaku and Zuikaku, 1st Kido Butai was on par with the Americans. Despite being outnumbered in carriers (4 to 3), American carrier air groups were larger than their Japanese coun-terparts and were beefed up by over 100 Army, Navy and Marine land-based aircra: at Midway. The Japanese did not know this go-ing into the baGle and even if they had, the prevailing mood of their leadership would have dismissed it, believing they would sweep American opposi�on from the skies. Midway was to be a contest of airborne strength and not a contest of surface combatants. Alt-hough the opponents were fairly evenly matched in aircra: striking power, the Japanese excelled in beGer aircra: and beGer trained, veteran air crews; but as we will see, this did not �lt the outcome in Japan's favor.

Second, a fatal flaw existed in Japanese hardware deployed at Mid-way. Had the Japanese heeded the vital lessons from Coral Sea, they might have iden�fied these deficiencies, corrected or compen-sated for them. But this would have involved challenging exis�ng doctrine and the authority upon which it was propped, something at odds with Japanese culture. The Japanese remained blinded by their "victory disease" and rigid adherence to doctrine and authori-ty. Un�l Midway (and Coral Sea) Japanese carrier forces had never been seriously opposed by equivalent force and so these inherent shortcomings were not apparent. For one thing, Japanese carrier design and opera�onal doctrine were eventually bound to fail un-der the stress of baGle. Japanese carriers at the �me were not de-signed with an armored flight deck as were Bri�sh carriers, nor did they have ven�la�ng hangar deck doors, as did their American counterparts. Bombs could readily penetrate their carriers' flight decks into vital ship compartments. The lack of adequate ven�la-�on made for the compression of avia�on and chemical gases, com-bining them into a vola�le mixture that would feed any fire caused by a bomb hit. Japanese carrier doctrine called for the arming and fueling of aircra: below deck in poorly ven�lated hangar spaces.

Only once the aircra: were so prepared were they brought up on deck to be warmed up in prepara�on for take-off. So when Ameri-can dive bombers suddenly appeared overhead at 10:20 AM on June 4, their targets -- Akagi, Kaga and Soryu -- with their packed hangar decks cluGered with fueled airplanes, bombs and torpedoes were a disaster wai�ng to happen.

Third, Japanese defense was not as effec�ve as originally portrayed. The tradi�onal view of the baGle casts the Japanese with an impen-etrable force of Zero fighters that slaughtered wave a:er wave of American aGack aircra:. That is certainly true in some cases, like the tragic fate of Hornet's Torpedo Squadron 8, but here, too, there were fatal flaws that the American success ul�mately exploited. First, the Zeros' ammo supply was limited, and when they came up against overbuilt American aircra: like the F4F Wildcat and SBD Dauntless, their pilots found their ammuni�on supply -- especially 20 mm cannon -- would not last long enough for sustained combat, necessita�ng a return to the carrier to rearm and refuel. In fact, the repe��ve nature of American air aGacks from 0700 hours through 1027 hours meant the Japanese carriers were compelled to pay more aGen�on to violent maneuvering as well the recovery and launching of combat air patrol (CAP) Zero fighters than they did preparing to launch subsequent strikes on Midway or the opposing American carrier forces. For this reason, the American aGacks were more than effec�ve even though most aGackers failed to score hits. They �ed up the Japanese so effec�vely that 1st Kido Butai's core strength was neutralized. Compounding this was the poor quality of airborne radios carried by the Japanese fighters. The Japanese had no effec�ve an�aircra: or fighter control directors as did their American counterparts and so the Zeros were free to chase a:er targets of opportunity at all al�tudes and direc�ons, with liGle ap-precia�on for the tac�cal aspects of the developing baGle. With American aGackers coming in successive waves from almost all points of the compass, the defenders were hard pressed to keep them all from penetra�ng the defensive shield. It was like the LiGle Dutch Boy keeping his finger in the dyke. Eventually it had to burst.

In addi�on, unlike their American counterparts, the Japanese screening ships escor�ng the carriers were not close at hand to pro-vide addi�onal an�aircra: support. Japanese ships at the �me were not equipped with radar. Instead, the baGleship, cruiser and destroyer escort deployed miles away from the carriers to scout the approach of opposing forces. They then fired their main baGeries or made smoke calling aGen�on to the incoming strike. But the carriers were expected to defend themselves against airborne aGack. In April, 1942, when 1st Kido Butai sor�ed into the Indian Ocean to aGack Bri�sh units there, they should have foreseen these

weaknesses. .

Nine Bri�sh Blenheim bombers aGacked Akagi without warning, mak-ing their way through the gaps in carrier air defense. Although no hits were scored and most of the aGackers were shot down by pursuing Zeros, the les-son learned should have been apparent. This stark-ly foretold what would happen on June 4 when American dive bombers suddenly showed up above 1st Kido Butai.

Midway Atoll Eastern Island in

Foreground, Sand in background

Chuichi_Nagumo


Fourth is the issue of intelligence. Most of the aGen�on here is paid to the U.S. Navy's deciphering of the Japanese Naval Code before the baGle which, of course, was a great advantage to Chester Nimitz. It allowed him to properly deploy his limited forces. But more aGen�on needs to be paid to the Japanese side and its failures. The plan laid out by Yamamoto called for a cordon of submarines to take sta�on between Hawaii and Midway to detect and aGack the American carriers as they sor�ed from Pearl Harbor a:er the Japanese struck Midway. Because

Nimitz knew the Japanese plan, his carriers were already en route to Point Luck, their sta�on north of Midway, before the aGack. When the submarines arrived late on sta�on, the opposing carri-er force had already passed through the area. No one ever alert-ed Yamamoto to this. Moreover, the Japanese plan called for surveillance flights of Pearl Harbor by long-ranged flying boats that would stage from French Frigate Shoals, a small atoll south of Midway, where they would refuel en route to Oahu. When they arrived, American warships were already there on sta�on, defea�ng this reconnaissance effort. This, too, was not immedi-ately known by Yamamoto who thought his flying boats were on sta�on keeping tabs on American fleet movements at Pearl Har-bor. Whether he would have changed his plan had he known this vital reconnaissance was not in place is something we will never know.

A related considera�on is the weakness of the Japanese search plan on the morning of the baGle. The Americans devoted far more resources to seeking out the Japanese, including four squadrons of PBY Catalina flying boats -- totaling 29 in all -- that searched out to 700 miles in a 180 degree arc west of Midway. When the �me came, the Americans knew the Japanese were on hand, stemming from their early sigh�ngs of various units of the aGacking force. The Japanese, however, limited their search to ten cruiser-borne search aircra: on Chikuma and Tone that flew out to 150 miles searching for an enemy they did not believe to be there in the first place because neither their submarines nor flying boats had reported anything. The Japanese could have beefed up their reconnaissance plan with carrier aircra:, but their doctrine dictated that these be reserved for the aGack. Also, their search aircra: were launched before dawn and had overflown likely areas of American approach in the dark or above cloud cover. Had a redundant set of aircra: been launched a:er sunrise to fly the same course as those launched earlier, the American fleet might have been detected before it was -- when it was too late to do anything about it, because the American strike force had already been launched from Enterprise and Yorktown against 1st Kido Butai. Sadly, as an aside, Hornet's air group did not par�cipate in the aGack, except for John Waldron's Torpedo

Squadron 8, because they were incompetently led by their commander, Stan-hope Ring, on what would come to be called the "flight to nowhere." This perhaps cost the Ameri-cans the loss of the carrier Yorktown, because Ring's presence over 1st Kido Butai at 1020 hours that morning would have sure-ly sealed the fate of Japan's fourth carrier, Hiryu, whose remnant air group instead badly crip-pled Yorktown.

None of these Japanese shortcomings are meant to take away from the bravery, dogged persis-tence and aggressiveness of the American aviators

who fought the carrier baGle on June 4. Against beGer equip-ment, beGer trained veteran aircrew and the percep�on of over-whelming odds, these men fought a desperate baGle that in the end, firmly changed the course of the Pacific War. Without knowing it, they discovered and exploited core weaknesses in Japanese doctrine, baGle behavior and weapon systems that would ul�mately be Japan's undoing in its war with the United States. Japan was far from defeated, but the steady drain of re-sources begun at Midway and accelerated in the Guadalcanal campaign made the reality very stark. Japan had no hope of ever defea�ng a economic giant of the likes of the United States.

TBD torpedo bombers aboard Enterprise

SBDs returning to Yorktown Chester Nimitz, 1942

C-in-C U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Hiryu burning, June 5 1942

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]


50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War

Commemora�ve Celebra�on

2125 S. Industrial Park Ave, Tempe, AZ

March 20, 21, 22, 2015 Honoring Vietnam and Vietnam Era Veterans Friday, March 20, 2015 No host cocktails 6:00 to 6:45 pm, dinner 7:00 pm followed by Ceremony

Saturday, March 21, 2015 Ac�vi�es start at 10:00 am – 10 pm Sunday, March 22, 2015 Breakfast at 9:00 am – 11:00 am For more informa�on contact: Mike Ferguson – [email protected] or 480-390-5638

Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemora�ve Celebra�on Charity Ride - Sponsored by American Legion Post 2

Saturday, March 21, 2015 Chester’s Harley Davidson, 922 S. Country Club Dr, Mesa 8:00 am – 10:00 am. Fee - $290 single/$25 double Stops: VFW Post 7968, American Legion Post 58, DAV ScoGs-dale, American Legion Post 5

Final Stop: American Legion Post 2

Patrio�c Gala

The ninth annual Patrio�c Gala will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 21 at the Chaparral Suites in ScoGsdale. This gala is spon-

sored by the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society and will be honoring some of Arizona's finest patriots and veteran and stu-

dent scholars. The 2015 honorees are Copper Sword, Mr. Jim

Click; Copper Eagle, the Pat Tillman Founda�on and Rutherford Div. Industries; Copper Shield, Rep. Sonny Borelli; Copper Star,

Mayor Jack Hakim of Bullhead City and Mayor Greg Stanton of

Phoenix. Scholarships will be given to veterans and the Veterans Heritage Project. The veterans to be honored are Erik Torres,

U.S. Army, Joe Schiavo, U.S. Air Force, and Harry Good, U.S. Ar-my.

Veterans Heritage Project student scholarships will go to

Michelle Hugo and Lizzy Satran of Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek and Amani Kassisich of Campo Verde High School

in Gilbert. Registra�on and sponsorship informa�on can be

found at www.avhof.org or from Kathy Laurier at 602-909-2121.

Stand up for STANDDOWN

Saturday, 21 March 2015 Chopper John’s 2547 E. Indian School Rd Bike Show, R&R Fashion Show 2 stage Concert 12 pm – 2 pm

Salute A Soldier 5K Run will take place March 21 at Freestone Park, 1045 E. Juniper, Gilbert. Cost is $40 for 5K or $25 for one-

mile walk. Visit www.AZheroestohometowns.org for addi�onal

informa�on. You may contact Kathy Pearce for more details: 480-330-1632.

Annual Memorial for our Fallen – March 22 & 23, Phoenix

March 22, 2015,11:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Warriors Gourd Dance

Grant Park, South 2nd Avenue (between Grant & Sherman St. -

across from Post 41), Phoenix ,POC - Wilfred Jeans 480-263-

2444 [email protected]

5:30 p.m. - Evening Recep�on/Dinner/Candlelight Vigil DINNER

RSVP - Julia Barsell 602-672-2760 [email protected] Thunderbird American Legion Post 41, 715 South 2nd Avenue,

Phoenix

March 23, 2015,6:30 a.m. - Sunrise Service @ Piestewa Peak Apache Ramada, Phoenix

HONOR/COLOR GUARD POC – Josie Kakar-Delsi 520-705-8178

[email protected]

Direc�ons: Piestewa Freeway/AZ 51, exit Glendale Avenue east

(which becomes Lincoln Drive) turn North on Squaw Peak Drive and travel one mile to Apache Ramada

Manufacturing Job Fair

March 30, 2015 from 11 am - 2 pm Mesa Community College along with Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Ins�tute will host Manufacturing Job Fair.

Phoenix MarrioG Mesa Hotel & Conven�on Center

200 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201

For more informa�on contact us at 480-461-7749 or via email: [email protected]

Military/Veteran Women Commemora�on

April 18, 2015, 10 am – 2 pm

Glendale Community College

Student Union 104 D/E

Join us to salute our Military/Veteran women who have served, are currently serving or have fallen with honor in service to this country.

Chris Spicer, our Veteran Advocate and creator of the event, is looking for photos of women veterans, in uniform, to use for a display during the event. These photos can be of yourselves and/or friends and family members.

Please send the photos directly to Chris at: [email protected]

The Arizona Chapter of the Military Officers Associa�on of America will be having a spring golf tournament at 8 a.m. April 23 at Stonecreek Golf Club, 4435 E. Paradise Valley Parkway South in Phoenix. The cost of only $70 includes a buffet lunch and benefits the group’s scholarship fund helping gradua�ng ROTC seniors aGend college. Details: 480-661-5204 or [email protected] for all informa�on, including whole sponsorship.

Arizona Heritage Project

Save the date for the book signing and recep�on of the Class of 2015 of the Arizona Heritage Project from 3 to 6 p.m. April 19 at Arizona State University West, 4701 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA VETERANS’ MEMORIAL CEMETERY-SIERRA VISTA (SAVMC)

March 28th at 12:00 p.m. is the next Missing in America Project (MIAP) veteran recovery mission. Several unclaimed veterans will be interned at the SAVMC. The MIAP moGo is “Never For-goGen”.

May 2nd at 10:00 a.m. is the Hospice Valor annual BuGerfly re-lease and celebra�on of life ceremony.

May 25th at 6:00 p.m. is our annual Memorial Day Observance ceremony.

Upcoming Event Schedule


23nd Annual Arizona Military Women’s Luncheon

May 16, 2015, 10:00 am – 2 :00 pm VA Medical Center, 7th Street and Indian School Rd, Phoenix

Registra�on Deadline May 1st, 2015 – Cost: $20 Contact: Linda – 480-833-9680 [email protected] Honor the U.S. Military and Veterans

Arizona Celebrates Armed Forces Day during the Flagstaff “Armed Forces Day Parade” In historic downtown Flagstaff, Saturday, May 16th, 2015 at 11:00 am For Armed Forces Day observance informa�on contact: 928-286-7446

Registra�on of your parade entry is easy, simply RSVP: [email protected]

6th Na�onal Armed Forces Freedom Ride Arizona

May 16th, 2015 Armed Forces Day

Star�ng at American Legion Post 2, 2125 S. Industrial Park Ave, Tempe

Registra�on 8:00 to 10:00, $25 solo $35 two and up

Breakfast and lunch included

Opening ceremonies at 9:00 am

Ride stops: Post 133 – Casa Grande, Post 9 in Florence.

For more informa�on: azfreedomride.webs.com

Anthem Memorial Day Ceremony at Anthem Veterans Memori-

al: Public Invited to "A Day of Remembrance," May 25, 2015, 10

a.m. Anthem, Ariz. The public is invited to the Anthem Veterans Memorial for the annual Memorial Day ceremony, Monday May

25, 10 a.m. The ceremony, "A Day of Remembrance," honors the service and sacrifice of veterans who have fallen while serving

this Great Na�on. The annual ceremony takes place at the An-

them Veterans Memorial in the Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway

AUSA Annual Awards Luncheon & Corporate Sponsor

Apprecia�on

The Arizona Territorial Chapter of the Associa�on of the United

States Army will conduct its Annual Awards Luncheon to recog-

nize outstanding ROTC cadets, soldiers and Corporate Sponsors

on 29 March, 2015 at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 East

McCormick Parkway, ScoGsdale, AZ 85258. The program will

commence at 11:15. Major General (Ret) Jon Miller, former

Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve, will be the speaker. The cost

of the Cordon Bleu meal will be $30.00. To sign up, go to:

hGp://www.ausaaz.org or contact Gene Rafanelli at (480) 272-

8302.

9th Annual Salt River Veterans Recogni�on POW - WOW

March 27 - 29, 2015

Salt River Pima - Maricopa Indian Community, AZ

All Ac�ve Duty, Na�onal Guard, reserve Personnel, Families of Veterans Organiza�ons, Veterans and those that support Veter-ans are welcome to par�cipate and/or aGend.

Friday Evening, March 27

Odham/Pipaash Social, Chlyer (Bird) Singing and Dance Contest

at the Salt River BaGlefield.

Saturday Morning, March 28

Veterans Recogni�on Parade

SR Two Waters Complex to SR Community Building

Saturday, March 27 - Sunday, March, 29

SRPMIC Veterans Recogni�on Pow - Wow, Salt River BaGlefield

Parade info: [email protected]

The Traveling Vietnam Wall

March 19 - March 22, 2015

PrescoG Gateway Mall, 3250 Gateway Blvd., PrescoG, AZ 86303

The Traveling Vietnam Wall, an 80% scaled tribute to the Vi-etnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., features the names of each man and women who paid the ul�mate price for their country.

Women Vets in Style

Make Over Day and Women Veteran Resources & services

April 11th, 2015. 10 am - 3 pm

Elks Lodge, 5525 W. Colter St, Glendale, AZ 85301

Hair cuts & make up by Phoenix Paul Mitchell Beauty School

Lunch provide by Phoenix West Elks Lady Auxiliary

For more info contact: Lori Cooper - 602-367-3541

RSVP by April 1, 2015

Missing in America Project

March 25, 2015, 1 pm, at the Na�onal Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024

5 forgoGen and unclaimed American Veterans from Hanson’s Funeral Home , Phx, AZ .These veterans served our country in WWL, WWLL, Korea and Vietnam. There will be a full escort of the remains with flags flying, from the funeral home to the Na-�onal Cemetery.

Honoring The 19 Marines lost on April, 2000

15th Anniversary Memorial Service

April 4, 2015 - 10 am

Marana Regional Airport

Sacrifice for Freedom Ride

Saturday, March 21, 2015

$20 per bike/$10 passenger. Registra�on 8 - 10 am

RSVP - 480-400-9349 or [email protected]

Hosted by AZ Wall Project

The Daughters of the American Revolu�on (Paradise Valley Chapter) and the Sons of the American Revolu�on (Barry Gold-water Chapter) invites you to join us as we honor those who served America during the Vietnam conflict.

Please show your support for those who served, those who per-ished and those s�ll unaccounted for POW's, MIA's and families of these veterans.

Free to aGend and refreshments will be provided, Saturday, April 25th from 2:00pm to 4:30pm

Please RSVP with the bartender on duty - 602-971-9982

Upcoming Event Schedule


For historians and veterans alike, 2015 promises to be momen-tous: it commemorates the 70th anniversary of the final Allied victory over the Axis powers in World War II. The anniversary of VE Day occurs in May, followed by the close of hos�li�es in the Pacific with Japan's uncondi�onal surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. World War II veter-ans are for the most part in their 90's now. They are a Na�onal Treasure that sadly passes from our grasp every day. Veterans' honor flights to the Na�onal World War II Memorial in Washing-ton D.C. will abound this year as will na�on-wide commemora-�ons of the close of World War II. It's en�rely befiIng, then, that Arizona Veterans Connec�on traces for its readers the events leading up to the ul�mate victory, with an overview spot-ligh�ng the victories and sacrifices of our World War II veterans seventy years ago. Each edi�on of the magazine through Sep-tember 2015 will survey and commemorate the Allied gains lead-ing to the close of the Second World War.

To kick things off, let's recap some of the more significant Allied successes in 1944 that set the stage for final victory. 1944 was the year of the heralded Allied counteroffensive on all fronts: Northern, Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and China-Burma-India Theaters. Massive onslaughts saw the Soviets recapture large areas of German-occupied territories conquered through 1943, as the Russians ramped up for their Winter Offensive in early 1945; the much-awaited second front was openned in Europe with the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6; German resistance at Casino in Italy finally crumbled, the Anzio pocket was breached and American armies drove north on Rome, which fell on June 4, opening the path to further drives into Northern Italy, Hitler's "so:" underbelly; Allied strategic bombing campaigns against targets in Germany were resumed now that the Normandy landings were an assured success; in the Pacific, MacArthur won his bid to advance on the Japanese home islands via the Philippines, in contrast to Nimitz’s preferred route through the Central Pacific; the Japanese were dealt a crippling blow at the hands of American naval and ground forces in the Marianas (Saipan-Tinian-Guam), paving the way for B-29 strikes at the Japanese homeland; Anglo-American forces in India con�n-ued the long, hard push to drive the Japanese from Burma, there-by releasing Japan's stranglehold over supply routes into south-ern and central China; MacArthur kept his promise to the Filipino people by returning to the Philippines via Leyte in October, 1944, where the U.S. Navy inflicts mortal wounds on the Imperial Japa-nese Navy, marking the last capital ship surface engagement of the war -- and any conflict that follows. Of course, there were setbacks: Montgomery’s bid for final victory over Germany be-fore Christmas via his Market-Garden assault in Holland was not realized; and the Germans once again deprived the Allies of a clean slate of victories with their surprise offensive in the Belgian Ardennes, forcing a slowdown in Allied easterly advances as PaGon’s Third Army turned north to pinch off the German Bulge from the south; in September, the First Marine Division was near-ly decimated at Peleliu in the Palau Islands as Japan ini�ates a new defense tac�c -- digging in, in preference to Banzai charges; and the American Navy got its first taste of Japanese fana�cism as the Kamikaze aGacks began off Leyte. 1945 would see the con-�nued progression of these strategies and events as the Allies on all fronts strove to put an end to Fascist aggression that had gripped much of the world since the 1930’s.

1945 starts off with one more surprise for the western Allies: Opera�on BodenplaGe (Baseplate). Early on the morning of Jan-uary 1, more than 300 Lu:waffe fighters strike out at American and Bri�sh airfields in Holland, Belgium and France in a last bid to challenge Allied air supremacy, thereby relieving the pressure on German ground forces. Although the surprise is near-complete, the outcome fails to measure up to German goals; and like the Ardennes Offensive in December, 1944, the opera�on amounts to a squandering of precious assets and resources and pilots that might have otherwise been employed to draw out the war and hence the Germans’ opportunity for nego�ated peace instead of uncondi�onal surrender. This last German gasp causes a mo-mentary slowing of the Allied counteroffensive in Belgium which quickly resumes as the Bri�sh in the north and the Americans in the south and west move to pinch off the remaining German forces in the Bulge salient. Once the lines were reestablished and stabilized, Bri�sh and American ground forces resume their drive to cross into the German heartland. The American First Army retakes the vital crossroads at St. Vith, site of fierce American resistance in December, and on January 16, Bri�sh forces make gains at Roermond and Geilenkirchen, east of the Maas River. Farther south, Free French forces push into the Alsace region and another German offensive, this �me in the Saar Basin, is halted. Resistance s�ffens, though, as the western Allies approach the German border.

In the East, the Soviet winter offense goes into high gear. Russian forces push into Warsaw and Krakow, and the First Ukrainian Army breaches German defenses on the Vistula River as it moves across the Polish fron�er, with Warsaw – under siege since the summer of 1944 -- being liberated on January 17. The Second White Russian Army pushes north of Warsaw across the Narew River, libera�ng Makaw, Ciechenow, Pultusk along the way. Bu-dapest in Hungry is liberated, as well. German forces retreat from Tilsit in East Prussia, blowing bridges behind them as the Third White Russian Army seeks to ford the Nieman River on Jan-uary 20. Russian forces move into the coal-rich Silesian region on January 24, opening up the Dabrowa industrial region to Soviet occupa�on. Oppeln in Silesia falls to the Soviets on January 24. Memel, a valuable deep water port in Lithuania, falls on January 28, affording the Soviets enhanced routes of supply. The port had been in German hands since 1939.

In Italy, going remains slow as winter weather and rough terrain combine to impair Allied assaults in the Bologna area.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, American Sixth Army infantry under the command of Walter Kruger land in Lingayen Gulf on Luzon in the Philippines on January 9 and begin the push south on Manila. Clark Field falls to the Americans on January 25, marking the half-way point to the Filipino capitol city. Thirteenth Army Air Force units begin so:ening up Japanese defenses in Manila Bay with aGacks on Cavite, the former U.S. Navy base. On January 30, a daring raid by Army Rangers liberates 500 American survivors of the Bataan Death March from Cabanatuan Prison Camp. In Bur-ma, the Ledo-Burma Road, over 1,000 miles in length, is reo-pened on January 22, a:er two and one-half years under Japa-nese blockade, freeing up the key route of supply into central China and Kunming, the provisional seat of the Na�onalist Chi-nese government. In “Vinegar Joe” S�lwell’s honor, the Road is renamed and bears his name.

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

By Herb Zinn


February, 1945 sees the con�nua�on of January’s developments in Eastern and Central Europe. The Soviet Winter Campaign con�nues its sweep across Silesia and Poland as Marshal Zhu-koff's First White Russian Army reaches the Oder River at Kues-trin and Frankfurt, approximately 30 miles from Berlin’s out-skirts. The Russians pierce German defenses and reach the Bay of Danzig, cuIng off sizable German forces on the Samland Pen-insula. Soviet posi�ons are strengthened in the Dabrowa indus-trial region of Silesia in prepara�on for the final push across Ger-many and the link up with the western Allies.

The U.S. Ninth Infantry Division seizes the Ruhrberg Dam across the Roer River, denying the Germans the opportunity to flood lowlands below the Dam in order to slow the Allied advance. However, the Schwammenuel Dam east of Schmidt on the Ger-man Siegfried Line is destroyed, temporarily hal�ng the First Army’s progress into Germany. Bri�sh, Canadian and American ground forces con�nue to push German troops from Holland and cross the Roer River on February 26, along a 25-mile front that spans the River’s eastern bank. The path is now cleared for the Rhine River crossing as Allied troops reach that River’s west-ern banks. American Army Air Force strategic bombardment of German transporta�on assets and fuel reserves con�nue, with the addi�onal stated goal of drawing remaining Lu:waffe units into combat so they can be overwhelmed and destroyed by long-range P-51 Mustang fighter escorts, now available to the 8th and 15th Air Forces in abundant numbers. Once their daily es-cort du�es are complete, the long-legged Mustangs are freed to drop to tree-top level where they strafe anything that moves. RAF Bomber Command con�nues its near-nightly raids against German ci�es, making the air assault non-stop round the clock in nature.

The U.S. Fi:h Army and its Tenth Mountain Division con�nue slow advances up the Italian boot toward Bologna.

On February 4 through 11, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin meet at Czar Nicholas II’s Crimean Summer Palace in Yalta to address the conclusion of the war against Germany and the steps to be

taken a:er hos�li�es cease. Roosevelt returns home via a side trip to the Middle East to meet with Egypt’s King Farouk and Ethiopia’s Haile Selassie.

In the Pacific Theater, B-29’s raid Singapore, bagging among oth-er targets a valuable dry-dock le: behind by the Bri�sh when the island fortress fell in 1942. Further east, the 5th Army Air Force sweeps over the Luzon Central Plain clearing a path for MacAr-thur’s forces to advance on Manila, which is liberated on Febru-ary 4th and 5th by elements of the 1st Cavalry Division. In the process, internees in the Santo Thomas Camp and Bilibid Prison are freed – some 5,000 cap�ves in total. On February 16, Ameri-can paratroops descend on Corregidor a:er the island is so:ened up by B-24 bombardment. Two weeks later, the island is declared secure. Fierce urban combat characterizes the strug-gle to liberate Manila which con�nues as late as February 26.

On February 16 and 17, an American Fi:h Fleet fast carrier task force -- made up of as many as twenty aircra: carriers -- stands off the Japanese home islands as, for the first �me, 1,200 carrier-based bombers and fighters strike at Tokyo. The great B-29 strategic bomber campaign against Japanese installa�ons and the Japanese home islands reaches staggering propor�ons, as India-based B-29 bombers strike at supply depots in Rangoon Harbor and a fire raid on Tokyo on February 25 by 200 Mariana-based B-29s flying at low level destroy 240 city blocks of the Jap-anese capital.

On February 19, the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions assault the black sand beaches of Iwo Jima under the command of General Holland Smith, following a 48-hour naval bombardment. Mt. Suribachi is declared secure four days later. U.S. forces are now within 750 miles of Tokyo.

The end is just over the horizon, but sadly a great number of Allied troops are yet to be killed or wounded before victory is achieved. In the next edi�on of Arizona Veterans Connec�on, we’ll track the progress toward war’s end in March and April, 1945.

Photo below: Russian Advances January through February 1945

Top right: Marines Landing on Iwo Jima

Bo�om right: Ft. San�ago Gate, Manila

Watermark Photo: It was an impromptu moment that gave rise to one of the 20th century's most iconic photographs. As a jubilant US sailor heard that the Second World War had ended, he grabbed a passing nurse for a celebratory kiss in New York's Times Square on VJ Day, that has since been seen by millions around the globe.


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

The Women's Memorial is a unique, living memorial honoring all military women—past, present and future—and is the only major na�onal memo-rial honoring women who have served in our na�on's defense during all eras and in all services.

Their Mission

"Let the genera�ons know that the women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom." —Anne S. (Sosh) Brehm 1LT, USA NC, World War II

The Women In Military Service For America Memorial, at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington Na�onal Cemetery, is the only major na�onal me-morial honoring all women who have defended America throughout his-tory. Their patrio�sm and bravery are a part of our na�on's heritage and are now recognized.

Visitors to the Women's Memorial experience the collec�ve history of women in the military along with the individual stories of registered ser-vicewomen. The Women's Memorial:

recognizes all women who have served in or with the United States Armed Forces—past, present and future; documents the experiences of these women and tells their stories of service, sacrifice and achievement; makes their contribu�ons a visible part of our history; illustrates their partnership with men in defense of our na�on; and serves as inspira�on for others.

The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Founda�on is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organiza�on that depends on the dona�ons

of individuals, corpora�ons, organiza�ons, and state and local govern-ments to equip and maintain the Educa�on Center, theater and exhibit areas, expand the permanent ar�fact collec�on, and con�nue to locate and register eligible women.

History

Honoring Military Women — Past, Present and Future. . Duty, Honor, Pride; these words reflect the spirit of genera�ons of Americans who have sought to defend the rights and freedom of others. At the Women In Military Service For America Memorial, these words come to life in the stories and memories of the nearly two million wom-en who have served in defense of our na�on. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Founda�on, Inc., the non-profit organiza-�on established to build the Memorial, con�nues to raise the funds needed to operate and maintain the Memorial Educa�on Center. Led by re�red Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, the Founda�on broke ground on June 22, 1995, for the only major na�onal memorial in our na�on's history to honor and pay tribute to all servicewomen of the United States Armed Forces—past, present and future. Dedica�on was October 18, 1997. The Women's Memorial officially opened to the pub-lic on October 20, 1997.

The history of women in the armed forces began more than 220 years ago with the women who served during the American Revolu�on and con�nues through the present day. The Women's Memorial honors all the women who have served courageously, selflessly and with dedica-�on in �mes of conflict and in �mes of peace—women whose achieve-ments have for too long been unrecognized or ignored.

DONATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS: Dona�ons and registra�ons of ser-vicewomen can be sent to: Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560. . Telephone: 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155. FAX: 703-931-4208 . E-mail: [email protected]. . Web sitewww.womensmemorial.org. The Founda�on is a registered par�cipant in the Combined Federal Campaign, the annual workplace fund raising drive conducted by the US government for all military, civil-ian agency and postal workers worldwide and the Na�onal Capital Area United Way Campaign. In state and corporate campaigns, donors may designate "Women In Military Service Memorial Founda�on" on their pledge cards.

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]

...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

Announcements:

WAVES Na�onal has unanimously voted to change its organiza-

�on’s name to Military Women Across the Na�on, or MWAN, which will allow the group to invite women veterans from all ser-

vice branches to join as full members no ma%er how long they have served or when they served. For more informa�on, contact

Lou Ann Huskisson at 623-972-7369, 623-826-6614 or

[email protected]

Resources

Two benefits you should know: First, have “Veteran” listed on your driver’s license. Take your DD214 with you and visit any driv-

er licensing office and have the label applied so that you can re-ceive discounts. Second, ask at any businesses you patronize if

they offer discounts to veterans. Many do not adver�se dis-

counts, but if you ask, you might receive. For those of you who have been suppor�ng StandDowns for homeless and needy veterans through the Fry’s Community Re-

wards program, you must re-enroll for the new fiscal year, which

started Aug. 1. All you have to do to support Arizona StandDown is to shop at Fry’s Food Stores, and enroll in the program. Direc-

�ons to re-enroll are at the Fry’s website: frysfood.com. Amazon has come up with an easy way to help veterans when they shop online. Simply go to smile.amazon.com any �me to buy something. Your first �me, you will be prompted to log in to your Amazon account and select the charity you want to support. For eligible purchases of AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Founda�on will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase to the Arizona Coali�on to End Homelessness, which is the charity that includes Arizona StandDown for homeless veterans. Many “Tricare for Life” beneficiaries have probably used their

two courtesy fills at a retail pharmacy by now. Dr. George Jones, Chief of the Defense Health Agency Pharmacy Opera�ons Divi-

sion, reminds them that if they try to fill again at a retail pharma-

cy they may have to pay the full cost out of pocket.

Switching prescrip�ons from a retail pharmacy to home delivery can save beneficiaries as much as $152 a year for each prescrip-

�on they move. To switch a prescrip�on call Express Scripts, the Tricare pharmacy contractor, at 1-877-882-3335. You may also

visit www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE , ask your providers to

electronically prescribe directly to "Express Scripts Mail Pharma-cy" or mail in a registra�on form and hard copy of your prescrip-

�on. Beneficiaries who want to use a military pharmacy should first call their local military pharmacy to make sure their prescrip-

�on is available. For more details visit www.tricare.mil/Jlpilot . The U.S. Military Re�red Handbook is a handy tool for all veterans

and can be found at the following hyperlink: h%p://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.

h%p://www.cem.va.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;

h%p://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 righJul benefits as provid-ed for by state and federal law.

h%ps://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); h%p://www.dol.gov/vets/

DVET Michael Espinosa; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2515

VPA DeeAnna Bra%on; bra%[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.

h%p://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.

h%ps://www.disability.gov/

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

Reserve, re�red) and their families;

h%p://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 aSer

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

h%p://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 Foreign Medical Program (FMP) Spina Bifida Health Care Program

Educa�on (GI Bill) 1-877-222-8387

Help for Homeless Veterans;

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

3838.

Combat Call Center

1-877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387)


Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 6

Documents

Transcript of Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 6