Art Sloane
Personnel who were discharged under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell old reason should act as soon as they can to upgrade their discharge.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall will be open 24 hours a day from November 3-6 at Gateway Park, El Mirage. A Salute to Veterans will be held Saturday, November 6 from noon-9:00 p.m. There will be a free kid zone, beer garden, food trucks, bands and a giant hot air balloon glow, classic car show and motorcycle rally. For more information call 623-876-2942.
AZ Heroes to Hometowns is in need of 2500 $25 gift cards for their Turkeys to Troops for Thanksgiving dinner and for Wounded Warriors. You may give by giving to Pay-Pal. All information may be had at www.azheroestohometowns.org and subject matter Turkeys to Troops.
Wreaths Across America is a program and a way to honor a veteran by placing Christmas wreaths on their grave – either your own deceased veterans or the grave of a friend or the grave who has nobody to remember them. On December 17 at 10:00 a.m., Wreaths Across America will have live wreaths available at the AZ National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Roads. There will be a memorial ceremony. Then Gold Star wives and other veterans’ organization’s members will place the wreaths on the veterans’ graves. To participate send a check to Nisa Stansbarger, 3122 E. Santa Fe Lane, Gilbert, AZ 85297. Include the information id AZ0006P and group name AZNMCP. Give donor name and phone number, address, city zip, number of wreaths at $15 and check no.
VA has partnered with Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), a nonprofit organization that provides free tickets to events for current serving military, veterans and Gold Star families. Vet Tix has provided more than 2.3 million tickets for current serving military, veterans and Gold Star families to attend nearly 40,000 events valued at over $87 million since 2008. They currently serve approximately 450,000 Vet Tixers and their families. Through these events, VA and VetTix are exploring ways to encourage service members, families and friends stay engaged with local communities and reduce stress by attending fun events that everyone can enjoy for a very low delivery fee.
Many of you contribute to the tax credit for the MERF fund which has millions already in their bank account and because of the of the way they can’t spend it since the way the bill was written they have so many restrictions they have over $5 million in the bank. I would suggest that you contribute to the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance which is also a tax credit organization. You may contribute any amount up to $800 if you are married or $400 if you file separately. Send your tax credit money to Arizona StandDown at 141 E. Palm Lane, Suite 105, Phoenix AZ 85004.