"United We Stand to win, Divided We Fall and are forgotten," says President. "It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of a Kathy Upchurch, but i'm going to give it my best shot" Norma and Norma will continue to be Editors of the Newsletter.
"United We Stand to win, Divided We Fall and are forgotten," says President. "It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of a Kathy Upchurch, but i'm going to give it my best shot" Norma and Norma will continue to be Editors of the Newsletter.
"United We Stand to win, Divided We Fall and are forgotten," says President. "It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of a Kathy Upchurch, but i'm going to give it my best shot" Norma and Norma will continue to be Editors of the Newsletter.
ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, HAWAII, NEW MEXICO, NEVADA, UTAH Vol 63 Issue 3 United We Stand to Win, Divided We Fall and are Forgotten June 2011 !"#$%#&%'!!()*&(')&%+&,$-./.$*#% &$-.&0(*#111 Presidents Message Dear Southwest Members: This is the first Newsletter since the 63 rd
Southwest Region Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 7-9, 2011. It is also the beginning of a new experience for me because at that Conference I was elected Southwest Region President. It was something I had to consider and re-consider as it is not a commitment to be taken lightly. Through the years Ive been asked to consider running for President, and once was nominated but declined. This year it was step up to the plate time for me. Kathy Upchurch has gone way beyond the call of duty in a variety of offices from National down to Chapter level and done them all very well. Its not easy to follow in the footsteps of a Kathy Upchurch, but Im going to give it my best shot. Kathy will continue to be Editor of the Newsletter which is a tremendous relief to me. L to R Lorna, Patty, Karen, Betty, Ada, Carol, and Norma The Southwest Region has elected a fine slate of officers and each is committed to their position President Emeritus Kathy Upchurch see above 2010-2011 Officers President: Lorna Kenny, Inland Empire, CA Tel: 909 886 2480 Email: lbkenney1@verizon.net Vice President: Patty Termini, Phoenix. AZ Chapter. Tel: 480-861-9649, Email: body49@q.com Secretary: Karen Burns Copley, Tucson Chapter AZ. re-consider: 520 907 5524 Email: kfmcopley@hotmail.com Treasurer: Betty Crawford, Phoenix, AZ Chapter. Tel: 480-895-9063, E-mail: bjayne46@juno.com Parliamentarian: Ada McArthur, MAL, Las Vegas, NV. Tel: 702 489 9825, Email: unicornada@aol.com Historian: Carol Ellinger, Channel Islands, CA Chapter. Tel: 805 986 9755 E-mail: caellinger@rr.com Chaplain: Norma Smith, Phoenix Chapter, AZ Tel: 623 536 9815 Email: nsmith41@msn.com
Im a charter member of Inland Empire Chapter, chartered in 1994, and currently Treasurer. I have held several offices including President. We are active in supporting the Jerry Pettis Memorial VA Hospital and the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee, as well as, local JROTC units. We meet several times a year at March AFB at the Hap Arnold Consolidated Club. Some of you know my history, but most of you do not. Im an Air Force widow, my husband Lee J. Kenney, was active duty stationed in Vietnam (his second tour) in June 1971, when he was flown home to receive intensive medical treatment for leukemia. He lived nine days. He was 39 years old. We had four children, two grown and two still at home when he passed away. Besides my children, my salvation was my faith and the great people at Norton AFB, CA, who rallied around me and helped save my sanity. I worked on base so the Air Force family- Region Tieasuiei Betty Ciawfoiu Phone: 48u-89S-9u6S Email: bjayne46@juno.com Region Piesiuent: Loina Kenney Tel: 9u9 886 248u Email: lbkenney1@veiizon.net Euitoi: Kathy 0pchuich Phone: 6u2 246 u24u Email:ksupchui@cox.net military and civilian came together and couldnt do enough for me. I will forever be indebted to these wonderful people. Ive always said that military people are unique and the greatest human beings on earth! For those of you who had to miss the SW Region Conference, Im so sorry because it was an excellent opportunity to meet new friends, get to know one another better and visit with long, time friends. Albuquerque is a beautiful city with growth in every direction but still maintaining her rich heritage. Old Town has so many wonderful shops that its an adventure in itself. Taos and Santa Fe werent so bad either. The trip to Angel Fire is something to remember always, the dedication to the Vietnam Veterans is sacred and beautiful, as it should be. If you ever get the opportunity to visit this Memorial, dont hesitate for one-second. Remember to fly our Nations Flag you dont need a holiday to show your patriotic pride just dont forget it on Memorial Day and July 4 th . Your President: Lorna Kenney Gavel being passed to Lorna Kenney Mr. & Mrs. KC Flores Grandson of Elena Gonzales Sec. of NM Veterans Affairs, Tim Hale (Col. (Ret) USAF receiving $600 for Homeless Veterans Report on the Southwest Region Conference April 8-11, 2011
The Southwest Region Officers hosted the 63rd SW Region Conference at the Marriott Albuquerque Hotel in Albuquerque, NM. The Region Officers did a fantastic job organizing and running the conference. A special Thank You to Betty Crawford, Patty Termini, Lorna Kenney, Joyce Sihler, Ada McArthur, Carol Ellinger, Debra Kraus, Patti Sampers and her sister. The Officers welcomed us with a Hospitality reception partially sponsored by TRIWEST in our special room. The Hospitality Room was open throughout the Conference. We had 27 attend the general meeting on Saturday and Saturday evening we had 44 attending. We had 24 go to First Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park in Angel Fire, NM where we had a wonderful tour guide Tam and driver from Tours of New Mexico. Tam even had us on the radio coming into Albuquerque. I dont think any of us will forget the theme song, Frying Bacon in the Nude. Lots of fun and bonding. On Saturday, the invocation was given by Joyce Sihler. The National Guard of New Mexico posted the colors. Lorna Kenney led us in the Pledge and Ada McArthur read the purposes of GSW. The following member represented SW Region at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Events over Memorial Day in Angel Fire, NM: Dana Chwan, from Sante Fe. We had 4 Members at Large attending their first conference. See the beginning of the newsletter for who we nominated for National Officers and National Board of Directors. Sam Rollason, National Guard Army Survivor Outreach Service Coordinator, Doug Katason and Sarah Greengas of ChampVA and Melvin Finley of TriWest were are speakers for lunch. Joyce assisted by Ada did a beautiful Memorial Service for our Region Members who have died. DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!!
Resolutions which moved forward to National: 1) Snowball Express V to continue to support and have a co- coordinator working with special events chair. Snowball Express V budget of $2000 for expenses last year we spent $1915.00 sending the support team to Dallas. 2) Donation of $500 to In Memory Program by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. 3) Report Deadlines for Chapter/Region Presidents to be March 31. 4) Request the Vice President expenses be paid for one of the Congressional Receptions if she is moving up to President. Resolutions which were passed for SW Region: 1) Donation of $200 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Angel Fire, NM. 2) To financially assist SW Region Members to attend the TRI- STATE VVA Expo in Laughlin, NV. 3) Continued financial assistance to SW Region Officers and National Officers for Conference and National Convention. The Channel Islands Chapter President Nancy McKenzie with members Carol Ellinger, Inga McGlurg, and Joyce Sihler invited the Region to Santa Barbara, California April 20-21, 2012 for our 64th Annual Conference. The members accepted their invitation. More information will be in the Fall newsletter. Our Guest speakers at the Installation Dinner were: Adjudant General of National Guard of NM, MG Kenney Montoya, Secretary of New Mexico Veteran Services, Tim Hale (USAF, Col Ret) and he accepted our $600 donation for the New Mexico Veterans Integration Program. Karen Jones, VP of SW Operations of TRIWEST and Richard Essick were present. We had a very special guest: KC Flores and his wife. KC, who is the Grandson of Charter Member Elena Gonzales of Zia Albuquerque Chapter Jeanette Early, National VP installed the SW Region Officers with Debra Kraus, National Historian, did the pinning. Raffle items were won by many and we adjourned our conference at 10:20 p.m. Report written by Kathy Upchurch, President Emeritus Dues REMINDER.Please check your National Newsletter label for your Membership Status. Membership for 2011 ended May 31 to be eligible to VOTE you must be a member. Please RENEW and send your check, and updated information as soon as possible. Call 1 888 751 6350 VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS, TELEPHONE, & EMAIL
Adj. Gen. of NM National Guard: MG Montoya Conference Group: Seated: Eunice Farris, Winnifred Averbuck, Mary Ashton, Patty Termini, Jinix Foster, DJ Walker, Standing: Kathy Upchurch, Vera Woodard, Debra Kraus, Gaelia Babineau, Mary Williams, Jeanette Early, Nancy McKenzie, Patti Sampers, Betty Crawford, Carol Ellinger, Right to Left Lorna Kenney, Inge McGlurg, Ada McArthur, Pat Kelley, Karen Copley, Helen Barros, and Norma Smith Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire, NM ! "#$%&'()!*(+!(,!-./#)!0'&#!1#2!"#3'4%5 Dana Chwan, our at-large member from Santa Fe, represented Gold Star Wives at the Memorial Day activities in Angel Fire, New Mexico. The memorial was funded and built by the Westphall family in honor of David Westphall who died in Vietnam. The founder, the father known as Doc Westphall, said the peace chapel was to show that there can be peace among all men and the memorial is to show the tragedy and futility of war. It was turned over to the Nation Parks Service and is the only National Park dedicated solely to Vietnam veterans. The chapel is open 24/7 and there is an outdoor amphitheater, education center and gift shop on site. Dana set up a table and gave out our GSW literature and spoke with many veterans and civilians over the week-end. Approximately 200 veterans, families and caring civilians attended the Candlelight Vigil on Sunday evening, May 29th. Dana spoke on the loss of her husband, Capt. Michael Chwan, who was a pilot shot down over North Vietnam in September, 1965. He was MIA for almost 20 years until his remains were positively identified and interment was at Arlington in April 1965. For the entire weekend, there were 50 mph winds on the knoll site and our Gold Star Wives' wreath was securely strapped with bungee cords for the Vigil and the Memorial Day program. Dana says she feels honored to have represented us and hopes to attend other events in the Southwest in the future. For any widows wishing to have their husband's photo and incident report or bio included in the on site photo archives, there is a form available to submit this to the memorial office. They have hundreds on file now, and hope to get as many more as possible. Submitted by Dana Chwan 505 471 9395 Email: chwanda@msn.com http://www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org You can be a member of the David Westphall Foundation, purchase a brick in honor of your husband and even volunteer if you live in the area. Ph: 575 377 6900 or info@vietnamveteransmemorial.org Contact Kate German, Park Ranger Education 575 377 2293 Email: Katherine.German@state.nm.us PO Box 608, Angel Fire, NM 87710 NEW CHAPTER LAS VEGAS VALLEY, NEVADA Las Vegas Valley Chapter was installed June 2, 2011. Kathy Upchurch and Betty Crawford drove from Phoenix to Las Vegas went by Janet Synders condo to do some preliminary work. Then they went to the Nevada Benefits Foundation offices, to set-up the Installation Ceremony. Kit Frazer, National President, arrived on Thursday morning from Washington D.C., where she attended Memorial Day events and the Gold Star Wives Congressional Reception. Jeanette Early, National Vice President, also arrived at the same time from Aurora, Colorado. National Gold Star Wives Officers, Las Vegas Valley Chapter members, and Daughters of the American Revolution members of the Silver State Chapter and State Regent from Boulder City met at the Suncoast Buffet for lunch. Then we went to the Nevada Benefits Foundation office in Summerlin, for the Installation ceremony. The Installation of Officers ceremony began at 2 p.m. with Kit Frazer, National President, conducted the ceremony. Jeanette Early, National Vice President, pinned the new officers. Each new Officer lit a flameless candle. Just prior to the ceremony, Michael Klein, Regional Representative for Senator Harry Reid, read the Senate Resolution designating April 5, 2011, as 'Gold Star Wives Day! Roxane Unverich, Caseworker for Congressman Joe Heck, read the Congressional Recognition awarded to our Las Vegas Valley Chapter. Jessi Hotchkiss, District Representative for Congresswoman Shelly Berkley, gave us congratulations from Rep. Berkley, and offered the assistance of their Las Vegas office. Kenya Pierce represented Nevada State Senator Steven Horsford.
Las Vegas Valley Chapter Officers: President - Janet Snyder Vice President - Taunya Offdenkamp Secretary - Lillie Thomas Treasurer - Olive Bouault Parliamentarian - Liz Sorensen Historian - Janet Snyder Chaplain - Ilean Goodwill
Approximately 60 Guests and Charter Member attended the ceremony today. Many leaders in the veteran community: Henderson Vet Center, Catholic War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Filipino-American Veterans of Nevada, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Nevada Office of Veterans Services), Defending Freedom, Nevada Gold Star Families, American Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Veterans Reporter newspaper. A special thank you to Lidsay Carroll, Nevada Silver State DAR, for being our official photographer. She did a great job!! A Gold Star Wives paperweight to Phil Randazzo, founder of Nevada Benefits Foundation, to thank him for allowing us to have our Installation Ceremony at his offices. Thank you so much - to all of you who shared this historic day with us. Janet Snyder President, Las Vegas Valley Chapter Tel: 702 -227-6566 NEWS from California 2345&%678&97:;4<&";=>?@>&!476>&A;44 ! On September 26, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 1455 the Gold Star Family License Plate bill authored by Senator Dave Cogdill (Modesto). This bill authorizes the California Department of Veterans Affairs to sponsor a Gold Star Family specialized license plate program and waives the 7,500 minimum applications requirement. This bill authorizes a family member of a member of the Armed Forces who was killed while serving on active duty in the military to apply for a special license plate with a design containing a Gold Star and the words "Gold Star Family." Visit your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO). Proof of relationship will be required but not scrutinized as those that have served in WWII may be without documentation proving relationship. Once relationship and proof of service-related casualty is confirmed, a Gold Star License Plate Application (VSD 5-1918) and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV application) will be filled out by the family member and taken to DMV. Please make sure that the form is signed and dated by the County Veterans Service Officer. Website: The CDVA Project: Gold Star California has many other state benefits. News From New Mexico Gold Star Family Plate Immediate Family t or spouse of a soldier killed in combat can obtain a Plate to honor a fallen husband or son or daughter. There is a four-plate limit per family. The first plate is free, with all future licensure and registration fees waived for this plate. Three additional plates can be obtained for $17 per plate.There are many NM State Benefits please go on website http:// www.dvs.state.nm.us/benefits.html or call Benefits Division Alan Martinez, Director (505) 827-6374 or Rebecca Tapia, Admin. Assistant 505) 827-6383 News From Nevada: !"#$%&'()*()*+,(-",&.*/01"2*(,*3$&(*!"4'2&,0&'()* 5""2*- Iust by being a veteian - oi the suiviving spouse of a veteian - you can ieceive a ieuuction in these fees. You neeu to go to the 6%7.,+!8(3! -99#99%&:9!;<='4#>!take in a copy of the BB-214 anu ueath ceitificate, anu you will get this benefit. If the veteian was iateu by the vA as 1uu% uisableu, take in a copy of the vA awaiu lettei that states he oi she is ueteimineu to be 1uu% uisableu, along with the BB-214 anu ueath ceitificate. This will give you an auuitional uiscount.
Phoenix Chapter meeting with Senator Jon Kyl on Legislative Issues: L to R Norma Smith, Patty Termini, Sen. Kyl, Mary Williams, Naomi Greco, and Pat Kelly. GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC. Southwest Region Newsletter C/O 500 W. Clarendon Ave, Unit A-8 Phoenix, AZ 85013 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED VOTE BY MAIL Nominees from the Southwest Region ?@-11@88@!@-ABC!!!!!!!!!1-8D;1-B!!EA@FD*@18 F-BD1-!?D"@1@G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1-8D;1-B!HD6@!EA@FD*@18 !!!!I@88C!6A-J0;A*!!!!!!!!1-8D;1-B!8A@-FKA@A! *@IA-!LA-KF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1-8D;1-B!I;-A*!%<!*DA@68;AF!