the vet connection
TRANSCRIPT
sions, and U.S. VETS missions). Thanks to all of you that volunteer your precious time to support those less fortu-nate than yourself.
By now, everyone should have heard that our club will receive a Congressional Recogni-tion Certificate. This is the first national award the club has ever re-ceived and the presenta-tion will take place dur-ing our November club meeting by Congressman Debbie Lesko. This is a tremendous honor for the club and all the work
YOU do in support of military veterans in need or at risk, as well as ser-vice to our community.
We will kick-off our “Back-to School Bri-gade” mission early next month. Pick-ups at local Dollar Tree stores will begin on July 8th and have volunteered to pick-up at 25 stores this year!
As of this article, we are running neck and
(Continued on page 2)
“The Vet Connection” is
a monthly newsletter for
the members of the Trilo-
gy Veteran’s Club. If you
have an article that you
would like published,
please send to Scott Duke
Dates for monthly meetings (Meetings start at 4:30 pm)
From the President Page 1
Meet a Vet Page 3
VA Announces MIS-SION Act
Page 5
PTSD Awareness Month
Page 6
Adopt-A-Street Update Page 7
Memorial Day Hike Page 8
Making a Difference Award Presentation
Page 9
Guest Speaker for June Page 11
Upcoming Events Page 10
VOC4 Mission Update Page 14
Space A Seats for 100% Disabled Veterans
Page 14
VOC2 Mission Update Page 16
Club meeting Agenda Page 15
In this Issue...
The Vet Connection
June 2019 Volume 3 Issue 6
From the President Scott Duke
January 29, 2019 June 25, 2019 November 26, 2019
February 26, 2019 July 30, 2019 December 17, 2019
March 26, 2019 August 27, 2019
April 30, 2019 September 24, 2019
May 29, 2019 October 29, 2019
“ But it’s a dry heat!” That’s what they tell
us, but dang it sure has been HOT lately. It was so hot on the Pickleball court the other day, I saw a quail picking up a worm with a pot holder. Now that’s hot!
The club continues to thrive and grow, both in membership (up to 212 members, with 32 new members just this year alone) and volunteerism (new names have shown up on VOC missions, Adopt-A-Street mis-
neck to take the trip to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. 99 members have voted and 50 do not plan to take the trip and 49 plan to go. We will need 56 members to sign-up in order to make the trip cost effective. Here is the breakdown of the day (Club members only can attend):
Date: October 16, 2019
Depart Kiva Club: 7:00 AM
Arrive Museum: 10:00 AM
NOTE: We will make one (1) stop at a Pilot Travel Center on our way down to Tucson
Upon Arrival at the Museum:
10:00 AM - Check in at the Museum
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM - On your own walkabout around the Museum
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Pay as you go lunch period (they offered a lunch package for $19 that included a sand-wich, chips, and soft drink/tea, but decided it would be better for you to purchase lunch ala carte, or bring a bag lunch).
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM - Tram Tour of the outside grounds of the Museum
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM - Continue with your own walkabout around the Museum
Depart Museum: 2:15 PM
Arrive Kiva Club: 5:30 PM
NOTE: We will make one (1) stop at a Pilot Travel Center on our way back to the Kiva Club
Cost per Individual (based on 56 Veterans attending):
Bus rental: $32
Ticket: $13.50
Tram Tour: $6
TOTAL Cost: $51.50 (we will pass an envelope around the bus on the way back to cover a tip for the driver)
NOTE: The cost for the bus is $1,786.30, so divided by 56 passengers, you get to the $32 per person for the bus. This is why, we need to get 56 veterans to take the trip, or the cost will go up.
Enjoy the rest of the month and I will see you at our club meeting on June 25th at 4:30 PM. Remember, SPOUSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND this meeting as our guest speaker will be from the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs (Benefits and Entitlements).
(Continued from page 1)
The Vet Connection Page 2
Our Meet a Vet this month is Elaine Swete
Elaine was born in Detroit to a family of five girls. Shortly before she was born, her father fought in France and Germany under Patton during WWII. Upon his return, he decided that was enough travel to
last a lifetime, and so the family never journeyed outside the Detroit area throughout her youth. Giving in to a desire to see more of the world, and buoyed by a sense of patriotism, she joined the Army
during her senior year of nursing school after being commissioned as a 2LT. She began her career in the Army Nurse Corps at Brooke Ar-my Medical Center, serving on a ward that provided care for ampu-
tees who were medevac’d from Viet Nam. The experience was ini-tially shocking for a new nursing school graduate, but it eventually became one of the most rewarding chap-ters of her life. Her next assignment was at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, where she completed a
two-year tour and re-entered civilian life.
After returning home, wanderlust struck again and she returned to Hawaii with friends to work at Queens Medical Center. The four friends were renting a house on the Windward side of Oahu when a Marine Cap-tain, stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Station following his second tour in Vietnam, moved in next door.
After a year of wearing down a path between the two houses, Elaine married Bob Swete and took on the addi-tional role of military wife.
A move to Michigan was followed by a return to Hawaii, where their daughter (also an RN) was born and where Bob retired from the military. After beginning his civilian career, there were moves to Utah, Texas,
California and Germany. Following a twenty year nursing career, Elaine decided that it was time to hang up her cap and seek other employment. That was when she began a new career as the manager of Bob’s offices in Utah and Texas. After retiring in Sacramento, Elaine and Bob were persuaded to relocate to Trilogy by their daughter and son-in-law, who had just separated from the Army after his second Iraq deployment. The
move was followed by the birth of their two beautiful granddaughters.
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O n June 14, we celebrate the birth of the United States Ar-
my! The U.S. Army was founded on 14 June 1775, when the Con-tinental Congress authorized enlistment
of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.
Our Veterans Club has 96 Army veter-ans and we salute each of them on their
special day!
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Alford Bailess Berstein Bosley Brager Broose Brown Byers Calhoun Carty
Chevrie Ciabattari Cloutier Conrad Deal Denton Drum Fedak Forteza Fowler
Francis Gale Gesy Gladstone Glickman Gordon Guenther Guggemos Hall Hansen
Harris Helm Henry Hewitt Holler Horowitz Iannone Jeffery Johnson Kearney
Kessler Knaub Krantz Lewis Lutins Marek Mark Martinez Mcalpin Meizinger
Myer Mindak Mitofsky Nawrocki Oblack O’Connor Ohme O’Neil Orr Pagliarulo
Paquin Pence Perry Peterson Pockress Ponting Posner Powell Rosenkranz Roth
Rotkowitz Salzer Sawyer Schatz Setticase Shum-
way
Smith A Smith L Spaeth Starmer-
Smith
Strand Swete E Taylor Teten Updegraff Warner Wertheimer Whitney Widak Widman
Winchell Wojdlya Zimmer Zimmer-
man
Elections for Club officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) are not too far off (Nominations will be accepted at our October Meeting), so start thinking about whether you want to step-up and offer your knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) in becoming a new Officer of the Trilogy Veterans Club, or who you would like to see lead the club.
Do you know who I am?
I am a member of the Trilogy Veterans Club and served in the United States Army.
Answer can be found on page 17
T oday the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an-nounced 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 Inte-grated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018.
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Signed into law on June 6, 2018, the MISSION Act strength-ens VA’s ability to deliver trusted, easy to access, high quali-
ty care at VA facilities, virtually through telehealth, and in Veterans’ communities. The law makes several improve-ments to VA care that begin on June 6, 2019.
A key component of the MISSION Act is a new urgent
care benefit that provides eligible Veterans with greater choice and access to timely, high-quality care. With urgent care, Veterans have a new option for care for the treatment
of minor injuries and illnesses, such as colds, sore throats and minor skin infections. The benefit is offered in addition to the opportunity to receive care from a VA provider, as VA
also offers same-day services.
Reprinted from Department of Veterans Affairs
A t the request of the Peoria Mayor, Cathy Carlat, two members of Trilogy Veterans Club, Marv
Shadman and Scott Duke were asked to lead the group in Pledging Allegiance to the Flag.
Marv Shadman spoke for a few minutes about the tremendous amount of support, the Mayor gives to military veterans in Peo-ria, and spoke about the Veterans Club and our missions. He then asked the club president, Scott Duke to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Over 20 “red shirts” showed up to support Marv and Scott in their efforts to shine a light on the Veterans Club.
E ven though PTSD
treatments work, most people who
have PTSD don't get the help
they need. June is PTSD
Awareness Month. Help us
spread the word that effec-tive PTSD treatments are
available. Everyone with PTSD—whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors
The Vet Connection Page 6
of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events—needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a
better quality of life.
During PTSD Awareness Month, and throughout the entire year, help raise awareness about the many different PTSD treatment options. You can make a difference in the lives of Veterans and others who have ex-
perienced trauma. Everyone can help.
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“ You won’t find a gum wrap-per within a mile of Trilo-gy.” Those were the words of
mission leader, Paul Bernard and he and 13 other Veterans Club members got up early last month and cleaned up the roads surrounding our beautiful Trilogy at Vistancia.
The mission also included three (3) Airmen from nearby Luke Air Force Base, who often volunteers their time in support of the Adopt-A-Street program.
If you have an interest in this mis-sion, you are encouraged to contact Paul
W ith the temperatures staying over 100 de-grees these days, we
still managed to have a pretty good crowd at the Cross Eyed Cricket this past Thursday. We had 27 veterans at the bar this month!
The numbers are also down a bit be-cause so many veterans have taken off for the summer, but some of brave hearts stick around and enjoy each oth-er’s company at this club’s monthly so-cial event.
Hope to see you there!
at [email protected] to get more details on how you can support.
This mission is completed the last Saturday of each month at 7:30 AM. Members meet at the Circle K on El Mirage.
W e had over 40 veterans, their spouses, and even mem-bers of the Trilogy community that joined the Veter-ans Club on their annual Memorial walk up the Vi-
etnam Memorial Trail.
As everyone walked the trail, they passed 44 plaques marking facts about the loss of live during the Vi-etnam War. The trail is maintained by private residents of the Trilogy at Vistancia.
Special thanks to Joe Ingalls (Air Force), who led everyone up the walk where the National Anthem and Taps was played.
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M embership contin-ues to grow in the Club, sitting at 212 members and over 30 new members
joining since January of this year.
If you know a veteran in Trilogy community that is not a member of the club, please have him con-tact our Secretary, Mark Grindle at [email protected]. He can provide information about the club, provide a membership form, and other information that might prove to be helpful in de-ciding to join the club.
T he Trilogy Veterans Club presented its first-ever “Making A Difference” Award to Vistantica Ele-mentary Student CJ Messer (pictured with her
Mom and Dad—both Veterans). Club President, Scott Duke made the presentation at the school’s end of year Promotion and Recognition program. Duke explained, “The recipient of the club’s award must demonstrate the kind of leadership, discipline, commitment, and teamwork that one finds every day in this great nation's military.” Also attending the ceremony from the club was Bob Meiz-inger, Les Kessler, Paul Bernard, and Richard Brown.
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Jim Reavis [email protected]
T his month’s guest speaker will be Mr. Kelly Mor-gan, Veteran’s
Benefit Counselor, Arizo-na’s Department of Veter-an’s Services.
Kelly’s primary office is at the Rio Salado Commu-nity College’s Military and Veterans Success Center outside of the Lighting Gate at Luke AFB.
On average, he assists 150 veterans per month in submitting compensation and pensions claims to the VA as well as finding and referring them to resources that help them succeed in the community. He has found that counseling fel-low veterans on their bene-fits is a challenging and no-ble position.
Kelly started his 24-year military career as an Army Infantry Rifleman, served as an Air Force Historian and culminated his 24 year military career as an Air Force First Sergeant obtain-ing the rank of MSgt. Dur-
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ing his military career, he spent 10 years overseas.
He has a Master’s degree in Education from Arizona State University and four other lesser degrees (English, History, Human Resources and Lo-gistics).
Since retiring from the Air Force, he has worked for Arizona’s Game and Fish Department, worked as a teacher for the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs and as a defense contractor for the US Special Operations Com-mand.
Also coming with Kelly will be Ms. Nisha Dorsey, Program Manager, Military & Veteran Success Center, West.
Since Kelly’s and Nisha’s office is just outside the Lightening Gate at Luke, you can visit them without accessing Luke AFB.
Kelly has already met with several of the members of the Trilogy Veter-an’s club and their spouses. Let’s show our Red Shirt strength for this meet-ing – with the topics to be discussed, we are also encouraging spouses to attend the meeting, so they can also hear what services Kelly can provide.
His primary office is at the Rio Salado Community College’s Military and Veterans Success Center outside of the Lightning Gate at Luke AFB. On average, he assist 150 Veterans per month in submitting compensation and pension claims to the VA as well as finding and referring them to re-sources that help them succeed in the community.
As a Retired Air Force First Sergeant, he struggled transitioning post mil-itary service. With a Master’s in Education (MEd) from Arizona State University and four other lesser degrees (English, History, Human Re-sources, and Logistics) a challenging and noble position was obtained counseling fellow Veterans on their benefits.
Kelly is a 24-year military career that started as an Army Infantry Rifle-man and culminated as an Air Force First Sergeant, He has spent more than 10 years overseas and has served our Nation’s defense globally. In addition to working the past five years for Arizona’s Game and Fish De-partment and Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, he has worked as a teacher, for the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and as a defense contractor of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
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Upcoming Events June 2019
Point of Contact Date
Vets Table (Kiva Club) Duke / Reavis June 11th
Thirsty Troop Thursday Everyone June 13th
Army Birthday Army Veterans June 14th
VOC2 Mission Chris Salzer June 14th
Board of Directors Meeting Scott Duke June 18th
Muster and Mingle Colleen Tucker June 22nd
U.S. VETS Mission Richard Brown June 22nd
Club Meeting Scott Duke June 25th
VOC4 Mission Jose Lopes June 28th
Adopt-A-Street Mission Paul Bernard June 29th
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PRESIDENT
Scott Duke
SECRETARY Mark Grindle
VICE-PRESIDENT
Bob Meizinger
Member-at-Large Richard Brown
TREASURER Les Kessler
Manager of Charities
Chris Salzer
Member-at-Large
Joe Ingalls
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L ast month, we had another raffle win-ner, who will have a
great meal at Village Inn. This month, our $25 gift card is to Haymaker’s Restaurant.
Will you be the next win-ner? All you need to do is
show up at our June 25th meeting at 4:30 PM and purchase a ticket for $1. Heck, increase your odds and buy five!
All proceeds from the monthly raffle offset costs of operating the club and funding various events and operations.
Observations sent in by club member, David Wainwright (Navy) I THOUGHT GETTING OLDER WOULD TAKE LONGER. A WISE MAN ONCE SAID… NOTHING. RESPECT YOUR ELDERS; THEY GRADUATED SCHOOL WITHOUT THE INTERNET. I'VE DECIDED I'M NOT OLD - I'M 25 PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING. WE HAVE ENOUGH GUN CONTROL; WHAT WE NEED IS IDIOT CONTROL. BEHIND EVERY ANGRY WOMAN STANDS MAN WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT HE DID WRONG. LET'S STOP SENDING MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND LET THEM HATE US FOR FREE. VEGETARIAN: ANCIENT TRIBAL NAME FOR THE VILLAGE IDIOT WHO CAN'T HUNT, FISH OR LIGHT FIRES! I LOOK AT PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES THINK..."REALLY? THAT'S THE SPERM THAT WON?" IN MY DEFENSE, I WAS LEFT UNSUPERVISED. IF GUNS KILL PEOPLE, THEN PENCILS MISSPELL WORDS, CARS MAKE PEOPLE DRIVE DRUNK, AND SPOONS MAKE PEOPLE FAT. CAMPING: WHERE YOU SPEND SMALL FORTUNE TO LIVE LIKE HOMELESS PERSON.
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Reprinted from De-partment of Veterans
Affairs
W hen congress signed the John S. McCain Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act,100% service connected dis-abled Veterans became eligible for Space Available Travel. Bet-ter known as ‘Space-A’ or mili-tary hops, Air Mobility Com-mand (AMC) maintains an exten-sive network of flights through-out the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. Supplementing this network, several Air Nation-al Guard and Naval Aviation Units have flights available.
To be eligible for Space-A flights, Veterans must have a per-manent and total service-connected disability rating. These Vets must also obtain a DD Form 2765, “Department of Defense/Uniformed Services Identifica-tion and Privilege Card (TAN).
The Space-A Program fills sur-plus capacity and seating on DOD aircraft. A popular perk
T he Trilogy Veterans Club could have broke a record by feeding 34
homeless veterans at the Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) last month, but know they broke the record for VOC4 mission! Con-grats to mission leader Jose
Lopes and all the veterans that support our two mission a month at the VOC (See VOC2 mission article on page 16).
If you are interested in supporting this mission, contact either Jose (for VOC 4—Last Friday of each month) or Chris Salzer (for VOC 2—second Friday of each month).
among retirees, now eligible Veterans can take advantage of the pro-gram and fly for free. So, whether the Veteran is looking for a geta-way to Hawaii or a trip to catch-up with their Veteran brothers and sisters on the other side of the country, the Space-A travel program can fly you there.
W e are excited about the new hat that will go on sale for the first time at the Bocce Tour-nament on April 26th. It will also be availa-ble at the gift shop, along with other mer-
chandise that will make you a standout at Trilogy events.
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Item Cost
Club Polo Shirt (red) Branch of Service Logo $45
Club Tee-Shirt (red) Branch of Service Logo $35
Club Hat - (blue) with Club name and American Flag $15
Club Memorial Brick $40
Club Coin $10
Vietnam Veteran Necklace $10
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Chris Salzer
A nother successful mission (VOC4) was completed ear-
lier today at the Veterans Out-reach Center. Our team, Ron Gabaldon, Pat Iannone, Rick Geis, Richard Larini, and Luke Airman, Gabriel Landeros served 34 military veterans.
On the menu was Lasagna, green beans, and Garlic Bread.
With only 8 months until the club’s next charity Golf Tourna-ment, a new committee was formed, under the leadership of tournament director, Nancy Duke (Air Force).
The committee this time will be returning member, Marvin Shadman (Air Force), and new mem-bers Gloria Vormestrand (Navy) and Chris Salzer (Army). Chris will also serve as the Board’s member on the committee as he is our Manager of Charities.
The tournament is set for March 27, 2020 at Falcon Dunes Golf Course, near Luke AFB.
“It will be a challenge to beat our record of $18.4K that we raised for our charities last time, but we are going to try and meet or even exceed expectations,” noted Nancy Duke.
H ere is a look at the agenda for this month’s meeting of the Veterans Club. We hope to see you there!
Meeting comes to order at 4:30 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Kelly Morgan (AZ Dept of Veterans Affairs)
President’s Comments
Secretary Report
Health & Well Being Update
Old business
New business
Good of the Club
Adjourn
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If you thought it was Dan Martinez, you would be correct!