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. 2018
Quarterly First Edition Vol XII
Chapter 8 General Meeting
July 12, Aug 9, Sept 13, 2018
@ 1830hrs (6:30pm)
Hot dinner served at 1730hrs (5:30pm)

Location:  2024 E University Dr. Mesa AZ 85203 (North East Corner of Gilbert Rd & University Dr.
Chapter Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm
(Closed on Holidays)

Chapter Service Officers available:
(No Appointment Needed)
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm
Last Saturday each month:
July 28, 2018 9:00am - 12:00 noon
Aug 25, 2018 9:00am - 12:00 noon
Sept 29, 2018 9:00am - 12:00 noon
COMMANDER'S CORNER
Greetings!

First off, I would like to thank and congratulate all of the Volunteers, Chapter Service Officers (CSO) and Members that helps make Chapter 8 what it is today! Chapter 8 was recognized by DAV Dept. of Arizona with Chapter of the Year award presented to us at the 96th Annual DAV & Auxiliary State Convention in Tucson, AZ held June 7th - 9th, 2018. I was awarded Chapter Commander of the Year, to which I am humbled and honored by this award! I feel very blessed to been elected your Commander for another year, my saying for this year is "Moving Forward".

We are increasing our CSO's at the chapter house, I would like to welcome Jim Birdsong from Tonto Basin who is now in CSO training with our senior CSO's at the chapter house. We currently have 15 certified CSO, Jim Birdsong will make 16 once he has gone through the certification testing in January 2019.

We will now be at Boeing in Mesa every other month on the last Wednesday of the month for the day shift starting July 25, 2018. Senior Vice/CSO Mike Crowe and Ken Bell are the CSO's attending the dates scheduled. CSO Jim Jones is at the VA S.E. Clinic on Tues from 9am-2pm. Judge Advocate/CSO Barbara Jeter, Junior Vice/CSO George Colbert and Senior Vice/CSO Mike Crowe are volunteering along with myself in outreach to the East Valley Regional and Mesa Veterans Courts on Tues & Thursdays; if you are interested in becoming a mentor for the Veterans Courts please contact me at the office or email me.

We have scheduled with the National Service Officer (NSO) Mobile Outreach to be held at the chapter house 655 N. Gilbert Rd, Mesa AZ 85203 on Thursday Sept 13, 2018 time: 8am-3pm. Make sure to mark your calendars.

I would to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! See the list below of Celebrations happening around the East Valley.

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.

Peace love & light
Carey Slade
Commander

My motto in life is; "It's all good"!
A WORD FROM OUR ADJUTANT
Greetings!

I've officially been here one year. I still feel like I have more to learn than I have learned.

Some highlights;
  • Chapter 8 was named Chapter of the Year and Carey was named Commander of the Year at the State Convention.
  • We have increased membership by over 200 this last year, mostly due to our dedicated Chapter Service Officers (CSO).
  • We have filed almost 1,000 claims for benefits.
  • We have volunteers that are putting in over 200 hours a month in service hours.
  • We have CSO's going to the Veterans Court, Senior Centers, VA SE Clinic, and Boeing routinely as well as other outreaches here and there.
  • The Chapter house has been painted and the roof updated. The carpet is gone in the areas where wheelchairs and walkers are used.
  • We have given out almost $12,000 directly to veterans for utilities, and rental assistance; also have a co-op going with the Northern District chapters for rent/utilities that exceeds our monthly limit.
  • Future plans call for rearranging the interior of the chapter house to provide more offices spaces for our CSO's.

Personally, I've meet many veterans and heard their stories. I do know that any veteran should have his or her records looked at due to you might not be receiving all of the earned benefits for your service to our country. I got to drive to Florence to pick up Christmas ornaments for our troops and received a beautiful poster made by school children.

A lovely year. Please consider volunteering. The rewards are more than money. There are the tears of a family who was going to be out on the streets, the smile of a child when you teach her and her Mom how to make a dragon out of your fingers, the hugs from a whole classroom as they hand you the ornaments. You cannot pay for that.

Deb Magish
Adjutant

"This too will pass".
THOUGHT'S FROM OUR CHAPLAIN
Greetings!

Pulling in to the Home Depot parking lot at 2:30 pm, it's 110 degrees out. I see a veteran with a Korean War cover, just 20' away from me, and go to meet him, wearing my Navy cover.

Me: Hi, Korean War Vet! I'm Paul. Navy. 

Vet: I'm Mark. I'll be 89 next week. You're younger than me!

Me: Yes. I'm 66. Nice to meet you, Mark. Some of the veterans in the east valley are organized as Disabled American Veterans. We have a chapter house not far from here.

Vet: I tried going to the VA. I said I can't hear good, and they gave me a questionnaire, and then told me I didn't qualify. To (expletive) with the VA.

Me: The D.A.V. isn't the VA. We're advocates for veterans. What did you do in the Army?

Vet: I was a cook.

Me: Were you ever in combat? 

Vet: No.

Me: But your unit might have been. Would you please go see one of our service officers at the D.A.V. here in Mesa? You might be able to get something done about that hearing after all.

Vet: (blank stare)

Me: It's too hot out here to talk any longer. The heat isn't good for either of us. Please call me when you get home.

Mark is one of thousands out there who may not yet be receiving the benefits they earned, not to mention the camaraderie, support and encouragement veterans receive from one another. 

I haven't heard back from Mark, but I hope I do, because the well-being of every veteran matters.

Thankfully,
Your Chaplain,
Paul Soderquist
EVENTS / FUNDRAISERS / OUTREACHES
Rifle Raffle Fundraiser
Current Rifle: Henry .410 Lever Action Shotgun
Drawing to be held Dec 14th, 2018 @ 6:30pm
Location: 2024 E University Dr. Mesa AZ 85203
http://azdav08.org
*Note: Must be over 18 years old & able to pass a back ground check
**All Proceeds donated to DAV East Valley Chapter 8
***Need not be present to win

Raffle tickets available at Chapter 8 and at the
following locations & dates below:
Crossroads of the West Gun Shows
July - Sept 2018

Maricopa County Fairgrounds, Phoenix:
  • July 21 & 22, 2018
  • Sept. 8 & 9, 2018

Pima County Fairgrounds Tucson:
  • Sept. 15 & 16. 2018

Centennial Hall Mesa:
  • Sept. 22 & 23, 2018
Apache Trail Swap Meet
9452 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85207
Weekends we are not at Gun Shows
Contact Chuck Berryhill for details.

The Gun show crew is always looking for volunteers,
inquire at the Chapter house.
July 4th Celebrations around the East Valley
  • Mesa:
And it’s free!
July 4, 2018
6 – 10 p.m.
(Fireworks approximately 9:30 p.m.)
263 N. Center Street, Mesa AZ

The United Food Bank needs our help! Thousands of families
in our community are in need of food every day.
With our support, we can help make a huge difference
in the lives of Mesa residents.
Bring your donation of a non-perishable food item,
bottles of water or cash to the
Arizona Celebration of Freedom
to see if we can fill the Parade Fire Truck!
  • Donations accepted at three entry locations: Both north and south entrances on Center St. and the entrance between Mesa Public Library and Mesa Convention Center.
  • Each donation gives attendee entry into raffle drawing for amazing prizes!


  • Chandler:
July 4th Celebration
is located on the southwest corner
of McQueen and Germann Roads in Chandler.
2250 S. McQueen Road,
Chandler, AZ 85286
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Fireworks Spectacular Show at 9 p.m.
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Please Note: Fireworks - of any kind -
are not allowed at this event,
in the park, or parking lots.

  • Gilbert:
Annual July 4th Celebration.
Free event! Free Parking!
Event Time:
Event site opens from 6pm-9pm.
Fireworks are scheduled to display at 8:30pm
(weather permitting).
Event Information:
Additional viewing sites;
  • Centennial Elementary School-Power Ranch
  • Legacy Traditional Academy-Recker Road
  • Higley Unified School District Administration Parking Lot-Recker Road

Look for signs along Recker/Pecos Roads for additional parking/viewing sites.
  For everyone's safety
(the following apply to the Higley High School Campus and all published viewing sites):
No Smoking permitted. No Alcohol permitted. No Fireworks permitted.
Please obey all parking signs, and do not block private driveways.
Feel free to bring coolers and lots of water.
Food Trucks will be available at the Higley High School Campus to purchase food and beverages.

  • Apache Junction:
Join the City of AJ Parks & Recreation for our annual
Fourth of July Celebration.
All festivities take place on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018.
We will be kicking off the day filled events at
Superstition Shadows Aquatics Center.
Evening events begin at 6pm
located: Apache Junction High School Track and Field.
The fireworks show is presented by Republic Services.

Parking is limited so please come early.
There will be traffic restrictions.
Please plan for 20-30 minutes delays.

The Fourth of July festivities are all located on School Property and no consumer fireworks, alcohol, tobacco, e-cigs, glass containers, pets or weapons will be allowed at the event or adjacent parking/viewing areas (bags and coolers brought into the facility will be checked).

Food and drinks will be available to purchase on site. For more information on this program or other programs and services, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 480-983-2181 or visit our website at www.ajcity.net/parks, more details on the event Program Flyer

DAV & AUXILIARY NATIONAL CONVENTION
@
2500 East Second Street
Reno, Nevada 89595
1-800-648-5080

View the Schedule here
DAV LEGAL CLINIC July 28, 2018
Upcoming Dates:
-Glendale July 28th 2018
-Sierra Vista August 17th 2018
-Tucson VA Hospital August 25th 2018
-Phoenix VA Hospital December 2018
DAV Legal Clinics are FREE to Veterans and their Spouses
in need of Legal Assistance.
Sponsored By:
 Disabled American Veterans Department of AZ
and
Arizona Disabled Veteran Foundation
We will Provide Help In the Following Areas:

Divorce/Custody/Child Support
Debt Counseling/Bankruptcy
Real Estate/Housing Issues
Landlord/ Tenant Issues
Basis Estate Planning Documents
Will be Provided On-site.
(Simple Wills, Medical Powers of Attorney, and Financial Powers of Attorney)

A financial need requirement applies. However, most veterans will qualify.

Call Legal Director John Tokarz for an Appointment 480-363-6880  

VA News
  • Blue Water Navy Veterans Closer to Receiving Benefits: With a unanimous 382-0 vote in the House on Monday, H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017, is closer than ever before to becoming law and finally providing Blue Water Navy veterans the benefits they have been denied for too long by VA’s arbitrary and capricious regulations. The bill would also expand benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving along the Korean DMZ and children born with spina bifida due to a parent’s exposure during service in Thailand. It will also require VA to report on research being conducted on Gulf War Illness. The VFW calls on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to swiftly consider and pass this important legislation. Read the bill text.

  • WASHINGTON - A video story produced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - focusing on a Navy Veteran and comedian who recovered from a possible career-ending stroke in 2016 with the help of VA doctors and therapists - received an Emmy Award at a ceremony June 23 in Bethesda, Maryland. Read full article click here.

  • U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) announced the launch of a professional license and credential finder portal for military spouses on Thursday, June 28, 2018. The new web-page, Veterans.gov/milspouses, brings together occupational license portability resources from across the federal government in one place and highlights states with licensing rights for military spouses. It is the result of collaborative work of the Department's Employment and Training Administration; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy; VETS; Women's Bureau; and the Department of Defense.

  • Coping with survivors guilt: Guilt is a feeling of responsibility for bad events, whether that feeling is realistic or not. Some Veterans feel guilt or remorse because of something that happened in their military experience, such as an injury to a buddy in their unit, friendly fire, or civilian deaths. Survivor guilt can include feeling guilty about surviving when others did not, wishing that you had died instead of others, or thinking you didn’t deserve to survive. Read the rest of the story click here.

  • 2015 National Suicide Data Report released — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released state-level Veteran suicide data today as a follow-up to its 2015 National Suicide Data Report, which was released on June 18, 2018. Read the full article click here.

  • MOVE! Weight Management Program: Research studies show losing as little of 5% of body weight lowers risk of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. More information click here.
  • The Phoenix VA MOVE! program partners with Veterans to help them lose weight and promote health. MOVE! provides Veterans with information, skills, and support to succeed with weight self-management. There are many ways for Veterans to participate in MOVE!
  • Step 1: Veteran complete a self-assessment and learns more about MOVE! weight management treatment options by attending a MOVE! intro class appointment or an individual nutrition appointment.
  • Step 2: Veteran signs up for more MOVE! treatment when ready : weekly program, support group, 1:1 in person or telephone appt, home-based options: TeleMOVE! OR MOVE! Coach with Care
  • No consult is needed to see a dietitian for general nutrition or MOVE! appointment. To schedule an appointment at any location speak to front desk MSA or call (602) 277-5551, select option #2 then option #4.
East Valley Unit 8
655 N. Gilbert Rd Mesa AZ 85203
Ph: 480-890-2424

Unit 8 Meeting: Is Dark until
Sept. 8th at 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
  • Donating to the Women Veterans
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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.