Monthly Archives: February 2013

Veterans Benefits

Base Camp 2013

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Nothing quite like a gathering of veterans around a campfire, telling tall tales and playing fiddles.  I have been attending this shindig over the past  20 years. It is fun, stress reducing, and remarkably healing to be with our comrades who once went to war.

Base Camp will be hosting honored guests,  Betsy Bayless, former Arizona Secretary of State,  and the Director of Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs, retired Col. Joey Strickland, former 1st Air Calvary Crew Chief on a Huey Helicopter. Strickland served two tours in Vietnam, the second stint being with the 765th U.S Army Republic of Vietnam. Strickland is in his 5th year as the Director of Veterans Affairs, and his highly respected for his diligence and advocacy of the Veterans of Arizona.

Come early to get your camp site.

Do not miss these guests of honor. They are always jam packed with information and practical helpfulness.

 

BASE CAMP 2013

 

Veterans and friends are cordially invited to attend Base Camp 2013 to be held April 5, 6, and 7 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 2013).  The purpose of Base Camp is to provide a location for veterans and friends to assemble and share camaraderie.  Live music and entertainment is provided on Saturday night.   ADMISSION IS FREE.

Base Camp has military ambiance with bunkers/fighting positions simulating a firebase or a line unit’s perimeter defense camp.  Military apparel and military vehicles are welcomed.  We fly the American, POW/MIA, and the Republic of Viet Nam flags.  There is also a 35-foot high observation tower and other military type structures, water and two flush toilets, a stage for live entertainment on Saturday, and a shooting range dug into the ground at the base of a mountain as a backstop for target shooting.  Camp out Friday and Saturday nights.  Bring your own food, beverages, and drinking water. All veterans are encouraged to attend. 

 

DIRECTIONS TO BASE CAMP

Traveling south on I-10 from Phoenix, exit I-10 at Wild Horse Pass.  Take the first left turn (Maricopa) to go past Firebird Lakes on your left.  Proceed past the fire station on your right to the T intersection with the stop sign.  Turn right.  Now you are on the road (Highway 347) to Maricopa.  Go through Maricopa, cross the Railroad tracks by the big RR water tower and continue 2 miles to Ak Chin Casino.  Highway 347 is also called John Wayne Highway. Go 2 miles past the casino to Papago (you will see a large Santa Rosa Cooling sign) where you turn right (west).  Go west 4.5 miles on Papago until you curve left (south) on to Warren.  Go about .9 miles south on Warren until you reach Val Vista where you turn right (west) onto a dirt road and go west .5 miles through the wash and past the canal to the first street on your left—Deer Trail.  Turn left (south) onto Deer Trail, and go .5 miles to where it Ts into Quail Run.  Go right (west) on Quail Run for .1 mile to the entrance of 9014 North Wealth Road and Base Camp.  The house phone number is 520-868-6777 and my cell phone number is 602-509-8762. 

 

SCHEDULE:  April 5—1200—Set up camp

April 6—1000—Flag raising, fly-over, Betsey Bayless, Col. Joey Strickland,          USA (Ret)

1200—1800–Open Time

                             1800—Entertainment

                          April 7–Break camp—go home

 

THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE, FAIR RULES TO FOLLOW WHILE AT BASE CAMP.

  1. You WILL have fun.
  2. Shooting range use—SAFETY FIRST—and police all brass and ammo.
  3. NO ILLEGAL DRUGS.

      4.   HOLD HANDLE DOWN until toilet flushes completely as a courtesy to others.

      5.  POLICE your areas of ALL TRASH and respect other people’s rights and property.

 

We’ll see you at Base Camp 2013.  For further information, call Joe at 602-509-8762 or 602-253-2378 or 520-868-6777.

Veterans Benefits

MOPH Supports Memorial Wall For Korean War Veterans

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Compliments of Larry Brown/ MOPH Phoenix
MOPH Legislative Support 13 February 2013
MOPH Headquarters Communication Header

 
13 February 13, 2013
The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), whose membership is comprised entirely of combat wounded veterans, expresses support for H.R. 381, to authorize a Wall of Remembrance as part of the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
This Wall of Remembrance, which would not require any federal funds, would not only recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice by listing their names on the Wall, but would further enhance this already special memorial. This Wall of Remembrance would also serve to educate future generations by listing the number of Americans who served during the war, the number of those wounded in action and various other statistics concerning the Korean War.
With the 60th Anniversary of the cease fire on July 27, 1953 approaching this year, MOPH urges your committee to move expeditiously to pass this legislation through your committee and Congress.
       Respectfully,
Contact Us
Phone: 703-642-5360 || Email: Adjutant@purpleheart.org || Web: http://www.purpleheart.org
Veterans Benefits

Margaret Brewer First Female General Dies

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First Female General in Marine Corps Dies. With sadness, we Marine gen want to note the passing of Margaret A. Brewer, Brigadier General, USMC, first woman to be a General in the Marine Corps. She died January 2, 2013 at Green Spring Retirement Community in Springfield VA, not far from MOPH HQ. She received her star by special appointment from President Carter and approval of both houses in Congress. She joined the Corps in 1952 and held a variety of roles in officer recruiting and training, personnel management, and public affairs before she reached flag rank in 1978. After retirement, General Brewer served for many years on the Board of Catholic Charities of Arlington, VA. She also was a board member of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, which spearheaded the development of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle. Air Force Brig General Wilma L. Vaught, President of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, said: “She’s legendary. She’s one of the pioneers.”
Veterans Benefits

Huey Symposium February 23-24 Pima Air Museum

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Lucky Tucson Nam Vets. The guest speaker at the Huey Symposium, on Sunday February 24th at 3pm, is Robert Mason, the author of the well known book, “Chickenhawk.” Bob was a Huey pilot in the Vietnam war. His wife Patience Mason is legend for her work with PTSD. She pioneered some of the modalities for working with the spouses and families of combat veterans. My wife and I are proud to count her as a friend. We have read most all or works and attended retreats with Patience. This couple are a major force in the healing arena.

Of course the catalyst for her work is her husband and his experiences in Vietnam. This is going to be a real treat.

It is so comforting to see the Pima Air Museum featuring more of the Vietnam War.

Go to the link below for more details.

 

http://www.pimaair.org/index.php

Veterans Benefits

Councilman Steve Kozachik

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I support the re-election of Steve Kozachik. I helped him in his first campaign and had the honor to give his Invocation. He and his staff have been immensely supportive of Veteran Affairs since the moment he took office.  Steve has an unbelievable work ethic and a diligence in research that is rare for an elected official. His fiduciary to the citizens of Tucson and vigilance over the public purse is laudable.


Councilman Steve Kozachik Announces His Re-election Campaign

 

VoteKoz2013 Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs

 

Robert Walkup – Former Mayor (R)

Dr. Richard Carmona – Former U.S Surgeon General (D)

Ms. Carol West – Former Tucson City Council Member (I)

 

 

Last week I formally filed papers for re-election to the Tucson City Council, Ward 6 seat.  It has been my honor to serve the constituents of this Ward, and of the broader City. I look forward to continuing working on behalf of all residents of the community in the years to come. We’re just putting together the current campaign. You will be hearing more on how it will roll out in the days to come.

 

Over the course of the past three years I have demonstrated my willingness to study issues individually, and to advocate for policy based on the specific set of facts related to each of them, not being bound by preconceived notions or rigid ideology. The public policy issues we face are too complex to approach the task of governance in any other manner.

 

Through that process, I have worked with constituents who reflect all political parties. Whether the issues involve business interests, the rights of private property owners, protecting the taxpayers money, labor, or management, my approach has consistently been to listen to the multiple voices as they weigh in on a given issue and work to find the common ground that represents sound public policy.

 

That approach to governance has resulted in my being in a position to announce today that three highly respected members of our community, each reflecting a different place on the political spectrum have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for my campaign. I believe their willingness to attach their names and reputations to my campaign validates the approach that I have taken to create informed and transparent public policy since 2009. I am extremely thankful to Bob Walkup, Dr. Richard Carmona, and Carol West for this showing of support. I am committed to continuing to work in a way that earns their trust, as well as that of the electorate in this community.

 

 

Contact

Ann Charles 520-977-5161

Votekoz2013@gmail.com

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Forum At Himmel Library

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On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Cathi Starr, Southern Arizona Regional Manager of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services will provide information on veterans’ service connected disabilities and compensation, veterans’ pension benefits and the Aid and Attendant Program, and veterans’ burial benefits and widowed spouses’ benefits. If you, your family members, or friends have any questions about any armed services issue, please come and ask. These folks are very helpful They not only give information and explanation, but they help people find answers to their questions (e.g. “My mother served in Viet Nam as a nurse. She died in the Tucson VA Hospital of causes we don’t understand. We need to access her hospital records. Please help us.”) and resolutions to their problems, whether they be health or benefit related…whatever.

Veterans Benefits

Rio Nuevo Press Release

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Rio Nuevo
Rio Nuevo Press Release
 

The Rio Nuevo District Board has made a settlement offer to the City of Tucson in matter of lawsuits filed on behalf of the taxpayers of Arizona. The newly reconstituted Rio Nuevo District Board is confident that the settlement is in the best interest of the taxpayers, and the residents of the greater metropolitan Tucson area.

Rio Nuevo Settlement items of interest:

* In exchange for dismissing three lawsuits against the City of Tucson, Rio Nuevo will be reimbursed over $16,000, 000 for the Depot Garage, whose ownership has been disputed.

* The City of Tucson will also deed to Rio Nuevo the “Arena lot,” which is 8.5 acres at Congress and the Freeway. Rio Nuevo filed a lawsuit to gain ownership of that property and the City has now agreed to deed it to the District.

* The City of Tucson will also deed to Rio Nuevo about half of the Westside acreage, where title was disputed in a lawsuit.

* The settlement has resurrected $ 6.5M of bond funds and Rio Nuevo will invest most of that into the Tucson Convention Center, as was required by the original bond memorandum.

* The City of Tucson will forgive about $1.2M of debt from Rio Nuevo.

* Each party releases each other from current or future claims; however the City of Tucson is not released from third party intervention or investigation as it relates to the Arizona Attorney General, the Internal Revenue Service, bondholders, and taxpayer organizations.

The FBI and Arizona Attorney General’s investigations remain outstanding but are out of the control of Rio Nuevo.

The newly reconstituted Rio Nuevo Board intends to immediately upgrade the Tucson Convention Center and will immediately invest in two downtown hotel projects. Plans will be made for the commercial development of property immediately west of the Santa Cruz Wash.

The settlement will save the newly reconstituted Rio Nuevo District over $1 million a year in legal fees, which will now serve the District’s mission; to participate and facilitate the development of a vibrant downtown Tucson.
Rio Nuevo
400 W Congress
Tucson, Arizona 85701
520-623-7336