Disabled American Veterans
East Valley Chapter 8
655 N. Gilbert Rd, Mesa AZ 85203
Ph: 480-890-2424
Fax: 480-615-4900 
http://azdav08.org
Est. Sept 30, 1953
July - Sept 2019
Quarterly Edition Vol XI
Chapter 8 General Meetings
  • July & August NO MEETING
  • Sept 12, 2019 @ 1830 (6:30pm)
  • Constitution & Bylaws Seminar @ 1630 (4:30pm)
  • Hot dinner @ 1730 (5:30pm)
Location:  2024 E University Dr. Mesa AZ 85203
(North East Corner of Gilbert Rd & University Dr.)
Chapter Summer Office Hours:
Monday - *Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm
(Closed on Holidays)
*Tue-Sept 3, 2019 we will return to Winter Hours Mon-Fri 9am - 2pm

One Saturday each month:
(Except holidays)
July 27, 2019 / 9:00am - 12:00 noon
Aug 24, 2019 / 9:00am - 12:00 noon
Sept 28, 2019 / 9:00am - 12:00 noon
Chapter Service Officers (CSO) available whenever Chapter is open!
**No Appointment Needed Just Your DD-214**
COMMANDER'S CORNER
Greetings!

Happy Fourth of July !
 
As the newly-elected commander of the second-largest DAV chapter in Arizona, I just wanted to thank everyone who showed their support for me and to give you all a brief background on myself. 
I am originally from Chicagoland as those of us from that area call it and more specifically from Skokie, a northwest suburb. I graduated from Niles Township – East high school, where reportedly Tom Cruise’s first big hit movie was filmed – long after I left in 1964. I was a junior in fifth period English when the hall monitor came running in hysterically screaming that the president – John Fitzgerald Kennedy – had been shot. And a short later on the intercom the news came of his death. That was the end of innocence for my generation. But after 2 years of working and going to college at night I joined the Air Force on November 9 th , 1966. A year and and half later I received orders for Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam. I served there from July 1968 to July 1969 and came back just 2 days before we landed on the moon. It was very gratifying to see us beat the guys who supplied all the weapons to our opponents in Viet Nam. I was then stationed at Luke AFB and met my future wife in September of 1969 at Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant in Glendale and proposed to her 6 weeks after I met her – also at that same Bob’s Big Boy ! We were married on June 13 th 1970 and are coming up on 50 years together ( and they said the Air Force could be a life sentence !). I received a 101 day early-out for school and was discharged on 29 July 1970. We had one daughter, Kelly in 1979. I became a stockbroker for a major Wall Street firm ( Pru-Bache ) in 1982 and went on my own as a financial planner in 1988. My daughter followed in my footsteps and is now in management with Charles Schwab here in Phoenix. I retired in 2016 I joined DAV in September of 2015 shortly before I retired and the rest, as they say. is history. 
   
 We are always looking for volunteers for various events so if you can find some time – even one day a week – please feel free to call us and let us know. If you have any ideas on how we can become a better chapter or improve our service, please let me know.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Please consider attending a monthly meeting ( the second Thursday of the month ) at Grace United Methodist Church just 2 blocks south of the chapter building on the northeast corner of Gilbert Road and University beginning in September as we are “dark” during July and August (see above for general meeting information). Thank you all for joining and God bless the USA ! 
 
Warmly,
Mike Crowe
Commander
 
“Setting The Standard “

DAV Dept of Arizona Newsletter can be found here.

If any member has any thing they would like to post in our newsletter or need to get out to the membership; please don't hesitate to contact us at the office.
A WORD FROM OUR ADJUTANT
Greetings!

Happy Independence Day and middle of summer!
As we take a break from regular meetings for a couple months, we are also starting the new fiscal year for DAV. That means a new budget and enhanced opportunities to assist our fellow Veterans! In fact, on July 4 th , I will be taking part in a ceremony where a deserving Veteran is being given the keys to her new mobile home as part of the East Valley Veterans Network. DAV assisted this Veteran with her electric bill to facilitate being able to have a stable place to live. This is a great event in the Veteran’s life and for all the organizations that helped make it possible.

The AZ Department Convention was held in June, with our new state officers being installed. We look forward to a great year with new Commander Glenn Hohman and his staff! August is the DAV National Convention. We will have delegates attending this year in Orlando, FL. As with each National Convention, new changes to the future course of DAV are unveiled and we look forward to the future.

As we look forward to the rest of summer, please be careful and be safe. We hope to see everyone at the next General Meeting on September 12 th !

Semper Fortis,

Dr. Carl Forkner
Chapter Adjutant
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAPLAIN
Greetings!

FREEDOM THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
As we start this summer season and celebrate our nation's historical beginning and remember those that have fought and died to preserve that history, let us all remember those that have served and passed. Let them not be forgotten. This past month has been particularly hard on us with the passing of Chuck Berryhill. Let us continue to pray for the Berryhill family and those comrades of ours better sick and infirm.

JULY FOURTH
On this 4th of July, may we fly our flag proud and high
And may we always be true to that good old red, white and blue
And may the bells of liberty ring as the STAR SPANGLED BANNER we sing
And as fireworks light up the night sky, may we remember why
So many brave men had to fight and die.
And thankful we must be, because freedom is not free
And as long as the Statute of Liberty stands proud and tall,
May there be liberty and justice for all (Ken Dawe)

FREEDOM TO…
Ours is a freedom to, not a freedom from, A freedom to service others, to live according to Christ’s example………it is a freedom to do, to be, act in this world now. (Raymond A. Foss)

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw
Confirm thy soul in self-control Thy liberty in law.
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness And ev’ry gain divine.
(from song by Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward)

Blessings and prayers for all of my comrades in DAV East Valley Chapter 8, DAV Arizona, and DAV National.

As the reminder, I can be reached at 480-529-6605 or at the chapter house for those in need or prayer. I humbly serve you, my fellow comrades.

Blessings from Chaplain David.
EVENTS / FUNDRAISERS
Rifle Raffle Fundraiser
Current Rifle: Henry .22 mag
Drawing to be held December 12, 2019 @ 6:30pm
Location: 2024 E University Dr. Mesa AZ 85203
*Note: Must be over 18 years old & able to pass a background check
**All Proceeds to benefit DAV East Valley Chapter 8
***Need not be present to win

Raffle tickets available at
655 N. Gilbert Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85203
480-890-2424
During normal business hours.
====================
Memorial Brick Project
Purchase a Memorial Brick to preserve the
memory of a veteran with honor!
$100/ea ($110 w/logo)
Forms available at the Chapter House
====================
November 15, 2019
is now open
$95 per person includes golf, cart, buffet lunch
Forms available here or at the Chapter House,
Superstition Springs Golf Club, and
Las Sendas Golf Club Pro Shop

Want to volunteer? Contact the Chapter House.

2019 DAV NATIONAL CONVENTION

Aug 3 - 6, 2019

@

Orlando, Florida

$137 single/ double rooms



BLUE WATER NAVY NEWS

Statement from DAV National Commander Dennis Nixon

After years of fighting to correct an injustice for disabled Vietnam veterans, DAV takes great pride in announcing that the president has signed in to law H.R. 299—the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.

Passage of this law is a pivotal victory for Vietnam veterans who have not only suffered for decades from illnesses and diseases linked to exposure to Agent Orange, but who also felt that their service and suffering had long gone unacknowledged by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

DAV is thankful for the leadership of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Phil Roe; Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson and Ranking Member Jon Tester; and Senate Bill sponsors Kirsten Gillibrand and Steve Daines, who all worked in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to finally get this legislation through Congress.
Mostly, we are grateful to the Vietnam veterans, their families and survivors, all our members and supporters who have stood with us over the years to advocate for this legislation and who have been so crucial to getting it across the finish line. I regret that many Vietnam veterans will have succumbed to illness before this victory could be realized, but rejoice knowing that countless others will finally be able to access the benefits they need and have rightly earned.

Fellow Vietnam veterans, I am proud to share this triumph with you. Congratulations, and welcome home. 
VA NEWS
VA announces final community care regulations under MISSION Act - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the publication in the Federal Register of two final regulations as part of its new Veterans Community Care Program under the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018. (6/5/19)

VA launches new health care options under MISSION Act - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new and improved Veterans Community Care Program on June 6, 2019, implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (MISSION Act), which both ends the Veterans Choice Program and establishes a new Veterans Community Care Program. (6/6/19)

VA health care facilities to go smoke-free - As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) commitment to provide excellent health care for Veterans, the department will implement a new policy restricting smoking by patients, visitors, volunteers, contractors and vendors at its health care facilities by October. (6/10/19)

VA and White House launch Veteran suicide-prevention task force - As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and White House initiative to curb Veteran suicide, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Joe Grogan will launch a cabinet-level task force June 17 to develop a national roadmap. (6/17/19)

New research affirms critical need for caregivers in Veteran care - New research published in the June 2019 edition of the journal Health Affairs shows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are working collectively to better integrate caregivers into a Veteran’s health care treatment. (6/17/19)

For all current VA Press Releases Click Here
Woman Veterans News

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you may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health. Woman Veterans who are interested in receiving

PAC) on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses states that it is unlikely that health effects and symptoms reported today by Gulf War veterans are...

Woman Veteran Mental Health Woman Veteran Woman Veteran Menu Overview VA Programs & Services Articles & Fact Sheets Overview In 2015, women

Woman Veteran : Articles & Fact Sheets Mental Health Woman Veteran : Articles & Fact Sheets Woman Veteran Menu Overview VA Programs & Services 
For more information go to Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
East Valley Unit 8
655 N. Gilbert Rd Mesa AZ 85203
Ph: 480-890-2424

Unit 8 Meeting:
July & August NO MEETINGS
Sept 14, 2019 @ 10am
Location: East Valley Chapter 8
655 N. Gilbert Road, Mesa, AZ 85203
Unit 8 strives to be active in:
Americanism 
Community Service 
hospital visitations
Legislation
VAVS projects
&
other areas as needed. 

Our goal is to help our disabled veterans in any way we can. 

We are a small group of people with caring hearts.
Volunteers Needed
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Disabled American Veterans
Mission Statement:

We are dedicated to a single purpose: Empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.