If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like your event featured in our next newsletter, please reach out to our Director of Communications, Jhennicea Morrow, at Admin@uavnewsletter.net

"The Voice of Arizona's Veterans"

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
— Helen Keller

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We have a lot of content for you this month. VA disability update. Heat Awareness! Free art classes around the state. Mental health training. PACT ACT update. Memorial Day Event Wrap-Ups, and more.

Onward to the Events

Unified Arizona Veterans Membership Meeting

Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
The public is welcome to attend!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85868781989?pwd=UzBRUFpvMER4bmRiaG03YTNFZmFNUT09

Meeting ID: 858 6878 1989
Passcode: 254282

PTSD Awareness 5K Walk and BBQ

Walk for good!

When: Sat. Jun 1, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT

Where: Prescott Peavine Trailhead
1624 Sundog Ranch Rd.
Prescott, AZ

We will be gathering for a community walk and BBQ to raise awareness and show support for Veterans who are experiencing symptoms of Post traumatic Stress.

This is a FREE event sponsored by the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System.

All attending Veterans will receive FREE lunch, FREE swag, and be entered to WIN raffle prizes.

VA and community resources will be available!

FREE parking available for all participating Veterans. This is a dog-friendly event!

Contact:

Jennifer Sigler, PhD
PTSD Clinical Team Program Manager
928-445-4860 ext. 4834

2024 AzAA Veterans Art Show

Art Show

The Annual Veterans Art Show

June 2 – July 26, 2024
Location: Arizona Artists Guild | 18411 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85023

Overview: The Annual Veterans Art Show features artwork by participants in the art classes at WHAM, AAG, Mesa Art League, Mountain Artists Guild and Sonoran Arts League.

Reception: Saturday, June 22, 2024 | 2:00-4:00
Location: Arizona Artists Guild | 18411 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85023
The reception will follow the monthly art class at AAG.

All are invited to attend the class followed by the reception at 2:00.

Lunch will be served during the class as well as light refreshments for the reception. RSVP is required for the class and lunch.

The Mesa Art League Veterans Ukulele Band will perform at 3:00. Please come and support the band and our creative veterans.

EAST VALLEY WOMEN VETERANS

BRINGING WOMEN VETERANS TOGETHER

As women Veterans, our unique experiences and perspectives enrich our communities and empower each other. It is crucial to foster connections and create opportunities for engagement with each other.

Join us in a supportive and uplifting environment where women Veterans thrive. Continue your journey alongside women Veterans with meaningful contributions to their lives and your community.

1ST MONDAY: OUTING

Monday, June 3, 2024

• 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

• Azura Veterans Coalition165 North Centennial Way Ste 110
  Mesa, AZ, 85201 (map)

Join us for an outing to the Azura wellness lounge for some fun play with legos. Put a kit together or use your creativity to come up with a design on your own.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us at: 480.834.2120 or info@eastvalleywomenveterans.org

3RD SATURDAY: BRUNCH

• Saturday, June 15, 2024

• 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

• Broken Yolk2034 East Southern Avenue
  Mesa, AZ, 85204 (map)

This month we’ll be heading to the Broken Yolk in Mesa.

Join the ladies of the East Valley Women Veterans group for Brunch every 3rd Saturday of the month.

Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona

Veteran Support Circle

Join us in a nurturing and empathetic environment designed specifically for veterans like you. Engage in meaningful discussions on topics that resonate with your experiences and connect with fellow veterans who comprehend the challenges you

Facilitator: Jordanna Saunders

Time & Place: Every Monday at 10am Arizona time, accessible virtually via the Televéda Platform.

How To Join: Click on the "Register Now" button on this page.

Sign up and use the referral code "AZVETS".

Once you are on the schedule page, click on the upcoming Monday date. From there, you can see a list of classes.

Look for the class titled "Open Veterans Support Group".

Then click the "RSVP" button that is associated to that class.

Finally click the "Complete Request" button and that's it!

Veteran's Writing Circle

📱Online Event

Workshops providing a space for Veterans to explore, share, and craft their writing. Free and open to writers of all genres.

Dates: June 4th - June 18th - July 2nd - July 16th - August 6th
Time: 5:30PM

About this event

Build community with other Veteran writers of all experience levels by exploring and crafting your writing together. Lead by a Michelle Loposky, attendees will be able to connect across intersections of identity in a safe and welcoming, virtual environment.
This circle is Veteran led and Veteran focused. If you are not a Veteran or related to a Veteran we ask that you kindly refrain from attending. All skill levels and genres are welcome!

Meets online from 1730-1900 MST every first and third Tuesday of the month.

For questions or more information about the Veteran's Writing Circle, contact K'Ehleyr McNulty, Coordinator for Outreach Programs at kehleyr.mcnulty@asu.edu.

Mental Health First Aid Class

Are you fully prepared to to help in a mental health crisis? This class is open to ALL members of The American Legion and all of the family!

We will be having a VIRTUAL Mental Health First Aid class on 6 June 2024 from 0900 – 1500 MST. If you are interested in attending please complete this form. We need a minimum of 10 people to sign up or we will have to cancel this class.

There is NO COST to you and this class will help you be better prepared in case of a mental health crisis. The class is open to ALL members of The American Legion family.

We will be sending out more information on future classes as they become available.

Respectfully,
John Anderson
Area B Service Officer, American Legion Department of Arizona
American Legion National VA&R Council member

Borderlands' P.O.W.W.O.W. Events

Food insecurity amongst veterans is a huge concern of ours, and so we want to help in any way we can. Which is why we would like to introduce you to Borderlands Produce Rescue!

Each produce season, from November through August, the organization partners with 30+ non-profits or community groups to host Saturday market locations. At each Borderlands P.O.W.W.O.W. event supporters are able to make a cash contribution of at least $15 to support the non-profit, and as a thank you, take home up to 70lbs of rescued produce.

Got a box and wondering what to make? https://www.supercook.com/ lets you select from ingredients you have and tells you what you can make with them.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, June 8th (6:00am – 8:00am)
● Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. at Pendergast Elem. School
3800 N 91st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037 🚗
● Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. at American Legion Post 62
9847 W Desert Cove Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 🚗
● Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4125 W Baseline Road, Laveen Village, AZ 85339 🚗
● Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. at Marana Middle School
11285 W. Grier Rd., Marana, AZ 85653

The Annual Convention for the Department of Arizona 2024

100 Yr. Anniversary of DAVA

The Annual Convention for the Department of Arizona 2024
Will be held at the Ak-Chin casino in Maricopa AZ
From June 9th Thru June 13th
Note: This is Monday Through Thursday
Hotel Rooms: Rooms are $120.00 / Night ++
Reservations: Call 1-800-CAESARS and Use Group Code S06DAV4 or you can book your reservations online using this link
Secure and fast hotel reservations | Caesars Entertainment
If you need a handicap room or you want to reserve a scooter let me know at 602-678-0333 or email me at admin@az-dav.org. The hotel has a limited number of scooters and reservations are made on a 1st come basis.
Schedule:
June 9, 2024 Check In To Hotel
June 10, 2024 Pre-DEC Meeting, and CSO Seminar Training
June 11, 2024 Joint Opening Session
June 12, 2024 Business Sessions and Banquet
June 13, 2024 Elections and Installation of Officers

West Valley Women Veterans 2nd Annual Women Veterans Recognition Day Celebration!

Women Veterans Recognition Day is not a separate Veterans Day for women.
This day is observed annually on June 12, the anniversary of the
Women's Armed Services Integration Act.
This event is open to all women who are current or former service
members and their families/friends. We picked a central location this
year so women from all over the valley can connect & celebrate
together! Come celebrate your service with us in a casual, welcoming environment.
Special thanks to Concerned Veterans for America for supporting this
event for the 2nd year in a row and providing appetizers!
See you Saturday, 08 June 2024, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT
Location: Fate Brewing 4445 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Women Who Lead

"Leading Change: Women at the Forefront of Addressing Adaptive Challenges"

Wed. June 12, 2024
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Speaker: ​Dr. Anne Katona Linn, BCBA Katona Linn Consulting

Dr. Anne Katona Linn is a passionate Educational Coach, Speaker, Author and Leader across the United States.
Attendees will understand how to leverage their Leadership approach, continuously enhance capabilities through Education , effectively Assess their environments and needs and foster ongoing personal and professional Development.
This presentation will equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to implement adaptive leadership techniques effectively, inspiring transformation and resilience in any leadership context they encounter.

IN-PERSON LOCATION: Thank you to host Scott Pearson

Fairway Mortgage
20359 N. 59th Ave. Ste. 100
Glendale, AZ 85308
Invite your friends - all women are welcome.

Air & Space Warfighters in Action: Gen. David W. Allvin

📱Online Event

Join AFA on June 13, 2024 virtually, for a fireside chat with Gen. David W. Allvin, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Allvin is the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

Date: June 13, 2024
Time: 7AM - 8AM
Location: Online

PTSD Awareness Equine Therapy Demonstration & BBQ

We will be gathering for an equine therapy demonstration and BBQ at the Prescott VA to raise awareness and show support for Veterans who are experiencing symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress.

This is a FREE event sponsored by the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in partnership with Bethany’s Gait.

All attending Veterans will receive FREE lunch, FREE swag, and be entered to WIN raffle prizes.

VA and community resources will be available!

Contact:
Jennifer Sigler, PhD
PTSD Clinical Team Program Manager
928-445-4860 ext. 4834

Date: June 13th, 2024
Time: 11AM - 1PM
Location: Prescott VA
500 Highway 89 N.
Prescott, AZ, 86313

FIRST ANNUAL FLAG DAY LUNCHEON FOR SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 14

Join us to hear testimonies from our veteran/dog teams and support Soldier’s Best Friend

Soldier’s Best Friend will host its first Annual Flag Day Luncheon on Friday, June 14, at 11:00am at Chicken-N-Pickles Westgate.

Date / Time: Friday, June 14, 2024 | 11:00am
Location: Chicken-N-Pickles
Westgate Entertainment District
9330 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale, AZ 85305

No, we won’t be playing pickleball, but we will enjoy a delicious lunch, hear the testimonies of some of our veteran/dog teams, and have opportunity to support the mission of Soldier’s Best Friend.

Soldier’s Best Friend provides U.S. military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury with Service Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship that touches two lives at once and inspires countless others. To date, 383 veterans have graduated from the program; and, currently there are 60 veteran/dog teams in training across the state of Arizona.

In the last year, Soldier’s Best Friend has opened training facilities in Yuma and Show Low, to add to the existing facilities in Flagstaff, Prescott, Peoria, Mesa, Tucson, and Sierra Vista. In addition, Soldier’s Best Friend is about to launch a dog training program in Fort Grant Prison in Willcox, AZ, where inmates will be training dogs to the Canine Good Citizen standards before they are placed with a veteran. Come join us at the Flag Day Luncheon and hear about all the exciting expansion across the state to reach more veterans.

Tickets for the Lunch are just $100/person. Sponsorships of various levels are also available. Seating is limited to just 250 guests. To purchase tickets, sponsor the event, or for more information visit
https://soldiersbestfriend.org/flag-day-lunch/
or call Soldier’s Best Friend at 623-218-6486.

***********************************************

About Soldier’s Best Friend

Soldier’s Best Friend provides U.S. military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Service or Therapeutic Companion Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship that saves two lives at once and inspires countless others.

Mining for Talent: Teeing Off for Charity

Join us for a day of charity, networking, and career opportunities at the Origin Mine Charity and Job Fair Golf Tournament. This event brings together individuals passionate about giving back to the community while also providing chances for professional growth and development.
Whether you're an avid golfer or a beginner, this tournament welcomes participants of all skill levels. Enjoy a day on the greens while supporting a great cause. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council, aiding their efforts to strengthen Veterans and their families through a variety of services, programs, education, and hope.
In addition to the golf tournament, there will be a job fair where attendees can connect with Origin Mine and explore potential career opportunities. Origin Mine will be showcasing open positions, offering attendees the chance to join a dynamic team making a difference in the industry and community.
Together, let's tee up for a brighter future.

Date & Course: June 15th, 2024
Cerbat Cliffs1001 Gates Ave,
Kingman, AZ 86401
Format: Four Person Scramble
Price: Individual - $110; Team - $440 Includes lunch, swag bag and awards.
Event Schedule: 6:30AM Registration 8:00AM Shotgun Start
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Korean War Memorial Event

The 20th Arizona Korean Association will commemorate the 74th Anniversary of the Korean War and 71st Anniversary of the U.S. - Korean Alliance in June 2024. In particular we will honor the 247 heroes who have not yet returned to Arizona among the 29,000

Arizona heroes who fought for Korea in the Korean War. Details for the venue as follows:

DATE: Saturday, June 15, 2024
TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
1700 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

All Korean War veterans, Vietnam War veterans, Korean Defense veterans, military personnel who served in Korea, their families, and members of all Korean communities in Arizona are invited.

Air & Space Warfighters in Action: Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain

📱Online Event

Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain, the Air Force’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, is joining AFA for a fireside chat on June 18, at 7:30 AM MT, 9:30 AM EDT.

Spain leads the development and implementation of policy directly supporting global operations, force management, training and readiness for the Air Force and serves as the Air Force Operations Deputy to the Air Force Chief of Staff.

Phoenix VA 18th Annual CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

Date: Thursday June 27th, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 1 PM
Location: Recreation Therapy Topaz Clinic

To participate call 480-524-5036 between the hours of 9 AM -11 AM, or from 1-2PM from June 3rd - 14th, 2024

Women Veterans Tea @ The Spicery in Glendale

Join West Valley Women Veterans for an afternoon of camaraderie, conversation, and connection over a cup of tea and delicious
refreshments.

Come share stories, experiences, and wisdom with fellow women who are
serving/have served their country, bond with your
children/grandchildren, and relish in an atmosphere of appreciation and
support!

The Spicery: 7141 N 59TH AVE GLENDALE AZ 85301

Additional details & RSVP information:
https://bit.ly/womenveteranstea2024

This event is open to any woman who is a current or former service
member— regardless of branch, era, length of service, component,
deployment status, or geographic location.

Date & Time: Sun Jun 30 2024 at 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM
The Spicery: 7141 N 59TH AVE GLENDALE AZ 85301

What to Expect:

• A delightful afternoon filled with camaraderie and shared experiences.

• Indulge in an assortment of teas, delectable treats, and savory snacks.

• Opportunities to network, bond, and forge lasting friendships with fellow women veterans.

• Family-friendly; children/grandchildren are welcome at this event.

• Feel free to dress festive & fancy or casual & comfortable.

All RSVPs must be made by June 26th to allow the venue adequate time to accommodate our large group.

This event is open to any woman who is a current or former service member— regardless of branch, era, length of service, component, deployment status, or geographic location.

Each attendee is responsible for their own food & drink orders to be paid the day of the event on individual tabs.

Please review the menu & pricing here: https://1895spicery.com/menus

Please contact Stacey Eastwood at (405) 314-0205 if you have food allergies that need to be accommodated. The venue can currently only make accommodations for nuts, gluten-free, and vegetarian. Dairy-free food accommodations currently unavailable, per the venue.

Projects & Information

Art! Art! Art!

ARIZONA ARTISTS GUILD (AAG)
N. PHOENIX – 4th Saturday/ month
-Veterans: in-person 10-2 pm
-Creative Distraction: Virtual 2:00-3:00
-Creative Journey: In-person 3:00-5:00
for anyone experiencing loss, or grief, including healthcare workers
arizonaartistsguild.net
ArtistsofAAG@gmail.com
call for details | 602-944 9713

MESA ART LEAGUE
MESA – 2nd Thursday/month 9-2 pm
4th Thursday each month 12:30 pm
Last Saturday of the month 1-4 pm
loralee.MAL@cox.net | 480-223-3641

SONORAN ARTS LEAGUE
CAVE CREEK
-Thursdays 10:00-12:00 pm
martiw04@comcast.net | 530-613-9038

MOUNTAIN ARTISTS GUILD
PRESCOTT-First Wednesday: 5:30-8:30 pm
-Third Thursday: 10:00-2:00 pm
guild@mountainartistsguild.org
928-445-2510

WHAM (What’s Happen’n Art Movement)
SURPRISE
-2nd Monday/ month 10-2 pm
-4th Thursday/month 10-2 pm
MartysFineArts@gmail.com | 623-584-8311

Military Voices Initiative

The Military Voices Initiative provides a platform for veterans, service members, and military families to share their stories. In doing so we honor their voices, amplify their experiences, and let them know that we—as a nation—are listening.

For more than a decade, 2.4 million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan while millions of families have stood behind them at home. The military community knows well the challenges of multiple deployments, combat-injuries, and long-awaited homecomings. Yet few civilians truly understand the complex realities of our troops’ service and sacrifice.

Recording Days in 2024

In 2024, StoryCorps will partner with local stations in the following cities to record stories of veterans and their families in person and in our “virtual recording booth.” Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on when and how to register to record your story, and prepare for your interview with this collection of suggested questions to ask your conversation partner.

Not in a city that we’ll be visiting? You can record anywhere with the StoryCorps App. Learn more here.

In-Person Recording (Sierra Vista)1140 Colombo Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
May 28 June– 31
Book an appointment

PACT Act Update

VA has granted more than 23,975 benefits claims for Arizona Veterans and their survivors under the PACT Act – and one million claims nationwide

From these PACT Act-related claims, VA has delivered more than $153,503,539.45 in earned benefits to Arizona Veterans and survivors

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to grant its 1 millionth PACT Act-related disability compensation claims to Veterans and survivors since President Biden signed the bill into law on Aug. 10, 2022 – including 23,975 claims to Veterans and survivors in Arizona. The grant rate for these 1 million claims is 75% – a sharp increase from pre-PACT levels – and VA has delivered more than $153,503,539.45 in earned benefits to Arizona Veterans and survivors. Additionally, since the PACT Act was signed into law, more than 16,049 Arizona Veterans have signed up for VA health care.

The PACT Act expanded VA health care and benefits to millions of Veterans, including adding “presumptive” service connection for hundreds of conditions linked to burn pits, agent orange, and other hazards while serving our country. Presumptions such as these lower the burden of proof required to receive disability benefits, helping Veterans get the benefits they deserve as quickly as possible. The average nationwide service connection rate for Veterans with these granted claims is 70%, meaning that they receive more than $20,000 in earned benefits payments from VA each year.

VA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration has made supporting toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors a top priority. VA encourages all Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT to learn more and apply for the care and benefits they deserve today.

“Thanks to President Biden, the Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other hazards while serving our country are now being taken care of for the conditions that followed them home from war,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Whenever a Veteran gets a claim granted, it means life-changing monthly payments and access to no-cost VA health care for that condition. We’re proud that we’ve granted 1 million PACT Act-related claims for Veterans and survivors, but we won’t rest until every Veteran and every survivor gets the VA health care and benefits they deserve.”

“Thanks to the PACT Act, VA is delivering more benefits to more Veterans than ever before,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “We encourage all toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors to apply today for care and benefits at VA.gov/PACT. When you apply, we will stop at nothing to get you the benefits you’ve earned.”

Through the PACT Act, VA has been able to help millions of Veterans get the health care and benefits they deserve. Key impacts include:

• More Veterans are enrolling in health care: More than 400,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care over the past year, a 30% increase year-over-year. This is critical because Veterans who come to VA are proven to have better or equal health outcomes, higher satisfaction scores, and trust VA outpatient care at 91.8%.

• More than 5.4 million Veterans have been screened by VA for toxic exposures: These screenings are a critical step to detecting, understanding, and treating potentially life-threatening health conditions. Of the 5.4 million Veterans who have received the screening, 44% reported at least one potential exposure.

• Veterans are applying for benefits at all-time record rates: Thanks to the largest outreach campaign in VA history, Veterans and survivors submitted 2,433,729 claims applications in 2023 – an all-time record and 39% more than in 2022. Veterans and survivors are on pace to break this record again in 2024.

• Veterans exposed to toxins and other environmental hazards are now eligible for VA health care: In March, as directed by President Biden, VA announced that all Veterans who meet eligibility requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military — at home or abroad — had become eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This expansion eliminated the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act — meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law.

The 1 million granted PACT Act-related claims are claims from more than 888,000 Veterans and survivors that included a PACT Act condition where at least one condition from the claim was granted, regardless of whether the granted condition is one of the PACT-specific conditions noted above. In total, VA has received 1.6 million PACT Act-related claims and completed more than 1.3 million since August 2022. More information and data on the impact of the PACT Act can be found in VA’s biweekly PACT Act Dashboard.

VA is currently processing Veteran benefits claims at the fastest rate in history, delivering more benefits, more quickly, to more Veterans than ever before. As a result of this record pace, Veteran claims pending over 125 days – known as the backlog – has decreased by more than 100,000 claims since December.

Moving forward, VA will continue to aggressively reach out to Veterans to encourage them to come to VA. VA encourages all Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors to learn more about VA and apply for their world-class health care and earned benefits today.

- Information submitted by:
Jaison Bloom | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Public Affairs | Southern Arizona Health Care System (SAVAHCS)
Phone: 520.792.1450 Ext. 1-6554 | Mobile: 520.23732089 (Preferred)

VA Benefits for Veterans with 100% Disability Update | 100% VA Service-Connected | theSITREP

Be Physically Active

Being physically active can improve your health. Any amount of physical
activity is better than none. Work with your health care team to develop
a plan to become physically active for all the reasons that are
meaningful to you! Learn more at VA's Be Physically Active webpage.

Heat Awareness!

The National Weather Service, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services have developed AZ Heat Awareness Week web page and asocial media campaign as a resource for everyone to learn more about heat prevention, safety and awareness in Arizona. We put in a tremendous effort year-round to ensure that when the extreme heat strikes, the State of Arizona is prepared and resilient.
Are you signed up to receive public health alerts when Excessive Heat Watches or Warnings are issued?

Phoenix trails CLOSED to pets once temperature reaches 100 degrees

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning as the
Valley continues to see record high temperatures this week.
Temperatures have already reached triple digits for the first time this
year. With rising temperatures, comes a reminder that Phoenix trails are
closed for dogs once temperatures reach 100 degrees and higher.

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe during the summer heat:

• Provide your pet with shade and water

• Never leave your pets in parked cars

• Cool your pet inside and out by providing them with cooling mats, pupsicles, and ice cubes (not ice water as this can shock their system, an occasional ice cube).

• Limit exercise

• Fans don’t help dogs like they do humans. Dogs sweat in their feet more than anywhere else. It is recommended to soak their paws throughout the day when it is hot out.

• Shoes or socks for the dogs to wear when they need to go outside.

Failure to comply – violators could be subject to a Class One Misdemeanor that could include a fine of up to $2,500 and six months jail time.

Event Wrap-Up

Sky Soldiers

Over the past two months, Chapter XXV ( “Arizona Sky Soldiers”) 173rd Airborne Association (The Association), President Bryan Bowley and the membership have been especially active throughout the Valley of the Sun. From collaborating with the COMMERORATIVE AIR FORCE for tours and rides in iconic US Army aircraft at Falcon Field to hosting the Association National Secretary at VFW Post 9400 (Joseph F. Monfort) in Sunnyslope.

Sky Soldiers were an integral part of a fund raiser in Peoria in recognition of Father Charles J. Watters (Medal of Honor-Vietnam) dedication to the education, health and safety of African children. A generous donation presented by C. B. Long on behalf of the C.B. Long Foundation was the highlight of that event. As Sky Soldier members prepare to participate in The Association annual reunion in Reno, NV, June 3-6 June, their fondest wish for our Veterans and the community is for a safe, peaceful Memorial weekend.

Photo #1 (Peoria, AZ)- Courtesy of SS George Sutherland ; Jim Miller, George Sutherland, C. B. Long & Reggie Yates

Article submitted by:
Submitted by : Reggie Yates ryates173abn@gmail.com

Photo #2 ( North Phoenix) Courtesy of SSM Jacqui Bassett; Jim Miller, the Bassetts, Reggie Yates, the Bowleys, Alton Fisher, Eldon Meade, Michael Johnson, Lyle Ahrens , the Sutherlands & C. B. Long.

Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

"I was honored to be representing the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society this morning at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Members of the Society, UAV, Gold Star Mothers and so many other veteran organizations were in attendance as well as the general public. Memorial Day is a time we reflect on and honor those who have died in the service of this country. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Key note speaker U.S. Army (Ret.)Sergeant First Class Diana Pike knows that sacrifice only to well. She reflected back on her son Christian who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 and in March 2013 was mortally wounded in Afghanistan. The courage of this Mother was evident as she reminded us to live our lives to the fullest serving others.

The Steerman Flyover, the 108th Band, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard doing the 13 Folds of the flag as U.S. Navy Admiral(RET) Jim Symonds explained each of the step’s meaning, the reciting of “Raggedy Old Flag” by State Historian Marshall Trimble all reminded us of the sacrifices those who served have made to preserve our Freedom.

My hope for this country is that on this Memorial Day everyone, not just Veterans, are reminded and deeply grateful for what all who paid the ultimate sacrifice have given to them. This country, while not perfect, still embraces and protects their rights. God has blessed America and we must never forget that."

- Patricia Little-Upah, President AVHOFS

Did You Know...

Did you know... A group of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, University of Freiburg and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have created an exceptionally small implant, with electrodes the size of a single neuron that can also remain intact in the body over time — a unique combination that holds promise for future vision implants for the blind.
(source)

Did you know... June has a rather special lunar event! The full moon in June is called the Strawberry Moon. Its nickname originates with Indigenous people who used the full moon to note the significance of this time of abundance for harvesting strawberries and other foods. Interestingly, the full moon may appear slightly larger near the horizon due to an optical illusion known as the moon illusion.
(source)