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FROM THE DESK OF

COMMANDER DAVID MAY

On the Road Again, DAV Auxiliary State Department of Ohio Commander Debby Hall, DAV Auxiliary State Adjutant Joyce Hutchinson, along with our DAV Department of Ohio Hospital Chairman PDC Ray Hutchinson, State Adjutant Frank Williams, and me will be touring the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. I am looking forward to hearing the latest updates on the renovations ($500 million) being done at the Cleveland VAMC that will provide better services for our veterans.

We, DAV Team of Ohio, have toured all of the VA Medical Centers in Ohio (VA VISN 10) including the Columbus VA Clinic and the Southern Ohio Veterans Home at Georgetown. I was impressed with the services provided by our VA Medical Centers.

Whatever medical needs you may need to address please keep asking questions until you’ve found the help you need. Attend a Chapter meeting and ask your fellow disabled veterans how they were helped. State your health issues with an intake nurse when checking in for your VA medical appointment. Ask your primary care provided to address your health issues and, if need be, your provider can refer you to one of many special clinics in the VA VISN 10 Healthcare System.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DAV & CHAPTER SERVICE OFFICER TRAINING

As our Department Annual State Convention is fast approaching, I encourage all new chapter officers to attend to learn more about the DAV. At our Annual Convention we will elect our Department Commander and Line-Officers. I would like to wish the new Department Commander and his/her Line-officers the very best this coming year. Also, day before our convention starts, if you have been appointed as a chapter service officer for 2011-12, I hope you’ll be able to attend the Chapter Service Officers training. Please give David Bilinovich, NSO Supervisor, at the Cleveland DAV Service Office a call (216-522-3507) informing him that you would like to attend the chapter service training on Thursday, June 16. Please give David an opportunity to provide training materials for everyone. If, you can’t make it to the convention, please consider attending our Department Fall Conference in October.

THANK YOU!

As your State Commander I would like to thank, this year, DAV Team Ohio’s members who served in a leadership role. Thank you to all Department of Ohio Line-Officers, appointed and elected Department Committee members, District Commanders, DAV National Service Officers and their staff, Hospital Service Coordinators, VA Voluntary Service Representatives and Deputies, and our Chapter Commanders and Chapter Officers. Together, you made my year as State Commander very easy. Thank you and keep up the good work!

COMMANDERS’ TESTIMONIAL

On April 30, at the Canton Holiday Inn, together, Auxiliary State Commander Debby Hall and I, had our Testimonial Dinner. I would like to thank DAVA and the DAV Family, DAV Team Ohio members, who attended our Testimonial Dinner. I will always remember and be indebted to those who assisted me throughout the year. It was a wonderful night sharing time with you, “DAV Family.”

FYI: DAV is 90 years young. We should always be thankful to those who have served before us. I would like to go back a few years and thank PDC Moseley. DAV, We Are Family, was the theme PDC Bill Moseley used when he served as Department Commander. DAV, We Are Family, sums it all up when we’re working together to serve our fellow disabled veterans. Thank you Bill.

I would like to report Auxiliary Commander Hall and I worked well together. As I look back at our year, Debby and I made our VA medical centers visits and Districts meetings, everything went as planned. We met a lot of good people who showed great compassion in serving our veterans. It was an honor and privilege to serve the same year with Commander Debby Hall. I am deeply appreciative of her kind support of DAV Team Ohio. Many, many thanks Debby.

Special thank you to State Adjutant Frank Williams and Sherry at Department Headquarters for being there. I am so grateful for your assistance throughout the year. Thank you for all your help.

CHAPTER FMN DRIVES

I would like to recognize all the chapters who did a Chapter Forget-Me-Not Drive and donating funds to our Department Hospital Fund. Service to Veterans is a Priority One. Thank you and thank you in advance to those chapters who are planning on doing one in the near future.

MOBILE SERVICE VANS

Thank you to DAV National Service Officers who are working on the Mobile Service Office van coming to you in your communities. Please review time and locations in our “Date to Remember”.

PARADE OF CHECKS

At our last DAV Department Fall Conference we did a “Parade of Checks”. We are planning to do another one at our June Convention. This is a great way for your chapter to be recognized for what you do for veterans. I look forward to thanking everyone presenting a check for our Hospital Fund and the service you provide to Ohio disabled veterans.

A few suggestions you may want to consider to donate to:

Department Hospital Fund

Cleveland/Cincinnati DAV National Service Offices

DAV National Service Foundation

DAV Charitable Service Trust Fund

DAV Transportation Network (new DAV vans)

VA Medical Center/Clinics Programs

VA/DAV National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic

Fisher House Programs (Cleveland VA is raising funds to build one.)

DAV Mission is Service to Veterans.

Please contact State Adjutant Frank Williams if you’ve any questions about the “Department’s Parade of Checks.”

CHAPTER OFFICER REPORTS

One of the first responsibilities as a chapter commander and chapter adjutant is to completely fill-out a DAV Chapter Officer Report form and mail a copy to DAV National, Department Headquarters and the closest DAV Service Office. This should be done within 10 days after you have installed your newly elected officers. I thank you in-advance for your cooperation. Please contact Department to update us why your chapter may be late in submitting your Chapter Officer Report. During the year, if you’ve any changes to your Chapter Officer Report you need to mail a new completely filled out Chapter Officers Report.

In closing, my year as your State Commander has been a memorable one for me. After my term is up I’ll continue to serve disabled veterans. DAV assisted me many years ago and I’ll always be grateful and give back to our organization. I truly believe in the DAV Mission, Service to Veterans!

David May, State Commander

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838

NSO Office, Cleveland (216) 522-3507

NSO Office, Cincinnati (513) 684-2676

Washington Office, DAV (202) 554-3501

Cincinnati HSC (513) 475-6443

William Warren

Dayton HSC, (937) 268-6511

Kevin M. Reilly Ext. 2962

Wade Park HSC, (216) 791-3800

Walter Dryja Ext. 3395

Chillicothe HSC (740) 773-1141

Larry Queen Ext. 7916

Columbus Clinic, (614) 257-5487

Henry Snodgrass

Brecksville HSC, (440) 526-3030

Don Branford Ext. 7353

DATES TO REMEMBER

June 2, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, DAV Chapter #9, Ashtabula, County Veterans Service Commission, 1212 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio, 10-4 pm

June 3, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Office, DAV Chapter #50, 9540 McCallum Ave., Alliance, Ohio, 10-4pm

June 4, 2011 Century Harley Davidson, 3053 Eastpointe Dr., Medina, Ohio, 10-3pm

June 6, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, VFW Post 2792, 129 S. Chestnut St., Barnesville, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

June 7, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Pioneer City Chapter #52, 835 DAV Rd., Marietta, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

June 8, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Jackson County Chapter #45, 170 Pearl St., Jackson, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

June 9, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Conrath-Bean Chapter #37, 355 E. State St., Athens, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

June 10, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, Hamilton VA Healthcare Associates, 1750 S. Erie Highway, Hamilton, Ohio, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 11, 2011 DAV Mobile Service Van, East-East Harley Davidson, 23105 Aurora Rd., Bedford Heights, Ohio, 10-3pm

June 16-19, 2011 90^th Annual Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio

June 24-25-26, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Clermont County Chapter #63, Sam’s Store, Eastgate area.

July 2, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Post Office, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

July 15-16-17, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Wal-Mart, Bucyrus, Ohio.

July 23, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Bucyrus, Ohio.

July 24, 2011 DAV at the Ballpark, Lake County Captains, Eastlake, Ohio.

Aug. 4-5-6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Speedway Store, Lond, Ohio.

Aug. 5-6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Various locations, Greenville, Ohio.

Aug. 6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, E. Liverpool Chapter #47, E. Liverpool, Ohio.

Aug. 6, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Galion, Ohio.

Aug. 6-9, 2011 National Convention, Hilton New Orleans Riverfront, New Orleans, LA

Aug. 11-12-13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Huntington Bank, Speedway, Walmart, London, Ohio.

Aug. 12-13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Darke County Chapter #57, Various locations, Greenville, Ohio.

August 13, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Thorold Heinlen Chapter #100, Crestline, Ohio.

August 14, 2011 DAV Day at the Indians Game, 1 p.m., Cleveland, Ohio.

Aug. 17-18, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Huntington Bank, West Jefferson, Ohio.

Aug. 17-18, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Madison County Chapter #93, Mt. Sterling IGA Store, Ben & Joy’s.

August 26, 2011 DAV Day at the Cincinnati Reds Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio.

September 9-10, 2011 Forget-Me-Not, Willie Marcum Chapter #72, Buehler’s Grocery Store, Medina, Ohio.

September 24, 2011 5^th District Meeting, 1 p.m., American Legion Post #41 on State Route 61, Norwalk, Ohio.

Oct. 7-9, 2011 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 26-29, 2012 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 21-24, 2012 91^st Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson, Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 4-7, 2012 National Convention, Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 12-14, 2012 Fall Conference, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Feb. 24-27, 2013 C&A Midwinter Conference, Washington, DC

June 20-23, 2013 92^nd Department Convention, Doubletree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

Aug. 10-13, 2013 National Convention, Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL

Oct. 4-6, 2013 Fall Conference, Double Tree Columbus Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Worthington, Ohio.

NOTES FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT

Frank Williams

Thought for June: There is enough in the world for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.

Donations to DAV Chapters & Department are Tax Deductible: Many of you have encountered reluctance to donate from merchants, some corporations and even individuals, stating they can only donate to 501(c)3 organizations. I cannot speak for those who somehow arrived at this decision, but apparently they failed to obtain detailed advice from the Internal Revenue Service. Further, they do not realize that a 501(c)3 designation is very easy to obtain through filings with Ohio’s Secretary of State. In fact, in Ohio alone, over 200 individuals and/or small groups – most of questionable integrity – have filed necessary forms, paid the nominal fee and then began soliciting donations from the general public. And, those entities who began restricting their donations only to 503(c)3 organizations are unknowingly helping scammers and dishonest groups.

Please be advised that, in accordance with the original IRS “Group Ruling”, dated June 24, 1942, all DAV Chapters as well as Department of Ohio were designated 501(c)4, and any all donations made to us are tax deductible. You may want to take a copy of this Newsletter to show to any merchant, store manager, corporations or individual when holding your Forget-Me-Not Drive, or other fund raising activity.

Time to finalize plans our June Convention! Recertification and training of our HSC’s and Chapter Service Officers is set for June 16, 2011, and the Convention is from June 17 through June 19, 2011. Maximum attendance is welcomed and encouraged for all DAV Chapters and Auxiliary Units.

I just received email from our Cleveland NSO Office, informing me that only 10 chapters have provided names of members enrolling in the annual Chapter Service Officer Training scheduled for June 16^th.

Please understand that Chapter Service Officers must attend this training, and receive their Certificate from National in order to be allowed to serve as your Chapter Service Officer, and assist your members with claims. A maximum of two members from each chapter are allowed to receive this training. However, it is the responsibility of each Chapter Commander or Adjutant to provide names and chapter number to the NSO Office in Cleveland for each member who will attend this training.

How many DAV members have you signed up this month? How about last month?? Remember: you get credit through National’s recruiting programs for signing up Auxiliary members as well as DAV members.

As always, keep our troops in Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Never shall we forget that Freedom is not Free!! May God bless all of you. God bless our troops, God bless the DAV, and may God Bless America, home of the Free, because of the Brave!

DISTRICT ONE REPORT

Phillip Alexander

Prayer list:

PDC Andrew Offutt

PDC Harlan Plummer

Chaplain Daniel Smiley

Chaplain Theodore Burch

Auxiliary Dorothy Clark

Auxiliary Sally Keller – Surgery May 16

Auxiliary Cathy Johnston

I have almost finished my two year term as Commander of District One. Let me take this opportunity to express my thanks and gratitude to Ohio Department Commander David May, PDC David Farrell and Adjutant Frank Williams, and all other Department Officers. Also, I would like to thank all Chapter Commanders and Adjutants and all the great members of this organization. Every Chapter in District One has helped me learn or experience the kind and warm relationship that assures me that this DAV organization will stand stronger, longer, and more powerful. I’d like to thank you for this learning process. Thank you to Auxiliary District Commanders, PDC Joyce Hutchinson and PDC Dorothy Clark. To the new incoming Chapter Commanders and Adjutants, please treat each other as well as you have treated me. This has truly prepared me for future endeavors. Thank all National Commanders NEC’s, NSO’s, and PDC’s, officers, Chaplains, and members. I have truly enjoyed serving this great organization. Thank you all.

Phillip A. Alexander, First District Commander

SR. VICE COMMANDER WILL DAVIS

I hope everyone remembers our veterans that gave all on this Memorial Day. Take a few minutes to honor these veterans; visit the Veterans section of your local cemetery and place a flag in their memory.

Art Wilson, our National Disabled American Adjutant wrote a nice article in the May issue of the DAV Magazine titled, “May we never forget”. To view this message and others go to www.dav.org.

May is the month for our members to come together and remember those lost and to welcome new disabled veterans and their families into the organization. We can never reimburse a lost life but we can show them that we appreciate and care!

Further, we need to contact our Ohio Senators concerning H.B. 153. One of the concerns is the attempt to take power away from the Veterans Service Commissions when it comes to salaries. Keep in mind this is only a proposal at this time. This and other attempts are in direct conflict with Title 5901. This is an attempt to further control the “Veteran Service Commissions”.

I hope to see everyone at our State Convention in June.

Will Davis, Sr. Vice Commander

Information Bulletin

IMPORTANT NUMBERS