ADVS Sanctions Pima Community College

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1 To ensure that Arizona s veteran community is kept up to date on what is happening with the Arizona Department of Veterans Services (ADVS), we offer this monthly update sent out to our veteran contacts throughout the State of Arizona. Please visit our website at azdvs.gov Please forward and share with any interested veterans. ADVS Sanctions Pima Community College Pima Community College (PCC) in Tucson has been prohibited from enrolling new veterans/students while it corrects widespread record-keeping problems discovered by the federal VA during an annual inspection. The VA asked the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, the State agency that approves Arizona schools to receive GI Bill benefits, to intervene after PCC failed to follow federal rules for aid payments to veterans/students. PCC s failure to promptly notify the Department of Veterans Affairs when veterans/students status at the school changed caused the VA to wrongly dispense tens of thousands of aid dollars last year to veterans who didn t qualify for the aid. ADVS Director Ted Vogt has met with PCC officials urging them to correct the problems quickly so that the school will be back in compliance with the reporting rules. About 1,500 veterans attend the college each semester. 1

2 ARIZONA STATE VETERAN HOME-PHOENIX (ASVH-Phoenix) Thanks to Kristin Fray March opened with our annual NASCAR outing on March 2. Vettix.com donated tickets for veterans, staff, and volunteers to go see the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Five veterans attended the race and enjoyed the great weather! ASVH Phoenix veterans enjoyed many talented entertainers this month. First, we had a Mardi Gras Party on March 4, featuring entertainment from Sounds at Work, a band made of staff from the Phoenix VAMC. Later, we enjoyed a show performed by Guys & Dolls, as well as a concert by the Valley Voices. Veterans enjoyed karaoke artists from D& M Entertainment, a band called the Angry Rodents, and some bluegrass music from the Boys of Old Country. March was also full of special events and special meals. On March 15, Veterans enjoyed a Shells & Bones lunch, sponsored by Cooties Pup Tent #11, followed by the Dog Races game. On St. Patrick s Day, veterans ate corned beef and cabbage, served by the Scottish American Military Society. They even drank green non-alcoholic beer! Veterans also enjoyed a St. Patrick s Day Social with Boy Scout Troop 400, and attended the Phoenix Boys Choir Concert. On March 22, veterans enjoyed a Pulled Pork BBQ with the Patriot Guard Riders, the Korean War Vets, Ray Harvey Chapter, and the Buffalo Soldiers. Veterans also had a delicious an ice cream social with the Jewish War Vets. March provided many opportunities to interact with the younger generation. Veterans did some wheelchair bowling with the Peoria HS JROTC, bowling with 2

3 the Modern Woodmen Youth Group, and an ice cream social with the Tillman Scholars. Please like us on Facebook to keep updated on current events! ARIZONA STATE VETERAN HOME-TUCSON (ASVH-Tucson) Thanks to Ellen Bittman & Kat Kime On Saturday April 5 th from 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m., ASVH-Tucson will host a Car Show in Parking lots 1, 2, and 3. This is the Shine and Show event with a BBQ lunch for $5 at 11:00 a.m. The money from this event will be donated to the Arizona State Veteran Home Tucson. The American Legion Auxiliaries are hosting the event. An Easter party in the Community Room on Saturday, April 12 th, will be hosted by the VFW Auxiliary from Sierra Vista. Pastries and other refreshments will be provided. ASVH-Tucson is also holding an Easter brunch on Sunday, April 20 th starting at 10:00 a.m. for residents and their families and friends. Menu items will include fresh eggs, pastries, seasonal fresh fruit and a variety of beverages. The next Market-on-the-Move, hosted by the American Legion Auxiliaries, is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 th from 7:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. in the southern parking lot alongside Buildings 4 and 5. For a $10 donation, a family can receive up to 60 pounds of produce. Please note the new (earlier) time frame. Vendors and individuals are welcome to set up a table for the swap meet. The last Market on the Move for the spring will be on Saturday, May 24 th. Then Market on the Move will resume in the fall on September 27, The event is 3

4 held on the 4 th Saturday of each month from September through May in the south parking lot alongside Buildings 4 and 5. We want to thank the American Legion Auxiliaries, Elks Lodges, and DAVA for their continued support of the recreation programs and hosting of regularly held programs from Bingo to Monthly Birthday parties (3 rd Tuesdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.) to Market-on-the-Move. Stephen Orsulic, ASVH-Tucson HVAC Technician with the Maintenance Department, was awarded Employee of the Month for April Also nominated were: Russel Alderman, LPN; Claudia Montero, CNA; and Janet Onchimbo, CNA. Beth Broadwell, Unit Manager, was awarded Supervisor of the 2 nd Quarter. Thanks to all for the much needed and much appreciated donations!!!! SOUTHERN ARIZONA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY-SIERRA VISTA (SAVMC) The Missing In America Project (MIAP) conducted a military service for 13 veterans on March 22 nd. More than 300 guests attended the service to pay their respects to these unclaimed heroes. MIAP has found and interned more than 250 veterans remains at the SAVMC to date. 4

5 The Veteran s Chapel project construction continues at SAVMC! 5

6 The Veteran s Chapel construction is progressing very nicely as you can see by the photos above. 100% of the cost of this project is funded by donations to the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation (SAVMCF). They still need donations for the seating, landscape and additional upgrades. Donations can be made online at Amazon.com will now donate.5% of your purchase to the SAVMCF. Go to for more information. Looking Forward May 3 rd Valor Hospice will hold a butterfly release observance at SAVMC. May 26 th SAVMC will observe Memorial Day and dedicate the Veterans Chapel. EVENTS VA General Counsel Will A. Gunn visited the Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday, 27 March 2014 to learn more about Arizona s continued development of veterans courts throughout the state. Back row: Ted Vogt, Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services; Will A. Gunn, General Counsel, US Department of Veterans Affairs; 6

7 Mark Romaneski, Regional Counsel for Region 19 of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (AZ, NM, NV); Scott Bales, Vice Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court; BG Richard (Gregg) Maxon (Ret.), Special Consultant for Veterans Affairs, Arizona Supreme Court; Center: Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch, Arizona Supreme Court Seated: Roger Ferland, Attorney with Quarles & Brady, Chair of State Bar of Arizona Military Legal Assistance Committee and member of US VETS Advisory Board. VA Assistant Secretary Tommy Sowers and Arizona Department of Veterans Services Director Ted Vogt take questions from the team from the Community Resource and Referral Center team during a visit to the Central Arizona Shelter Services in Phoenix on Wednesday, 12 March Assistant Secretary Sowers was in the Valley to urge all veterans to seek the benefits they have earned. 7

8 Jonathan Gardner, Director of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson briefs the Arizona Veterans' Services Advisory Commission during the Commission's meeting Thursday, 13 March 2014 at the Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson. MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND More information on donating to the fund can be found at azdvs.gov Please share this information with interested veterans. 8

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