Carefree Truth

Issue #296, December 19, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

I am beginning this issue with an apology.  Because the Carefree Veterans Day event began at 3:00 PM on a weekday, Herbert was still at work and I was running the video camera.   There is a reason he is the cinematographer on our team and I am the writer.  I thought the camera was running, when indeed it was not.  Councilman John Crane provided a stirring and eloquent opening, which I completely missed.  Again, my sincere apologies to Councilman Crane.  Here is the text of his opening statements, which he kindly supplied.

 

 

"Welcome to today’s event and to beautiful Carefree.  I am John Crane, a councilman for the Town of Carefree.    I am glad you can join us for a couple of hours of memories and music on this day of celebration for our veterans.  Today we will pay tribute to our veterans and their families.  It is the least we can do, for veterans and their families have given us all so much." 

 

"Today in the United States, veterans make up only ~7% of our total population.  Less than 1 percent of our population, only .75 % to be exact, serves our country in uniform today.  This includes active duty, National Guard and reserve personnel.  Veterans – you, you and your families and the active duty men and women, who are here with us today, are truly an elite group of Americans.  And, we are honored to have you here with us."  

 

"We have a special guest with us today, Col Park Shaw, US, Army retired.  Col. Shaw will lead us in the pledge of allegiance and will recite the Soldier’s Prayer.  But first I’d like to tell you a bit about Col. Shaw." 

 

"Albert Park Shaw, Jr.’s military career spanned three decades, from 1942 to 1973, launched with his service at Fort Benning in 1942 and later in Texas, Louisiana, and California.  He was sent to New Guinea in late 1943, where he served for a year.  In 1944 he went to the Admiralty Islands and later, on January 9, 1945 was in the initial assault waves for the invasion of the island of Luzon in the Philippines with the 6th Infantry Division.  His final assignment in his overseas World War II deployment was in the initial occupation of Hokkaido in Japan. Colonel Shaw served in active duty until 1973."

 

"Relocating to Arizona in 1974, Park served on the committee to incorporate the town of Carefree.  He has been active with Scottsdale Rotary, is past president of the Association of the U.S. Army, and had been inducted into the Infantry Offices Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame for his dedication to the military and community.  He is a veteran advisor to the Veterans Heritage Project and has graciously offered his home to interview many outstanding veterans in the state.  We are honored to have Col. Shaw here with us today." 

 

"Please rise for the presentation of colors by Cactus Shadows High School students.  And please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance and the soldier’s prayer, followed by the National Anthem to be played by the Main Event Band and sung by vocalist April Miller-Manchester."

 

 

 

 

April Miller-Manchester sang the National Anthem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yu4amk_Af0    

 

 

Retired Col. Park Shaw led the Pledge of Allegiance, after which he presented a fragile flag with 45 stars.  The flag flew at the City Hall in Pittsfield, MA, where Col Shaw was born.  It was from 1896, before Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii were states.  The flag was given to him by his Grandmother Shaw in 1946.  Col. Shaw brought it in honor of his beloved wife, who had passed away 5 weeks before.  He said she had written to him every day of the 33 months he spent in the S.W. Pacific arena during WWII.

 

He then recited the Soldier's Prayer.  "Lord grant me the strength and the courage to serve my country and my fellow soldiers, and watch over me and provide for my loved ones at home.  And as soon as I pray, you answer me to give me courage by giving me strength."  He continued, "And I thank you very much, John, for the great honor of holding up that flag and giving this Pledge to you.  Thank you very much, sir." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY4d_IcL3LQ

 

 

 

 

 

The Veterans Heritage Project was launched by Barbara Hatch, a highly honored and decorated history teacher.  After her introduction by M.C. Ted Dimon, Mrs. Hatch said the Project objective is to connect students and veterans in order for them to develop an appreciation for an America they will one day lead, and to learn the lessons the veterans wish to share.  The students interview veterans and transcribe their stories into books.  Every 2 years a new book is begun with a new cover color.  The Heritage Project, which includes the now famous autographed, hand stitched quilt, is in its 10th year, beginning with the Blue book in 2004/05, and this is the 5th year it has been represented at the Carefree Veterans Day celebration.  Mrs. Hatch shared the history, and updated us on this year's Project activities, including trips to several foreign countries.  14 schools are now involved and the dream is to take the program national.  A guidebook has been created to train new schools. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFP9izpp_yM   

 

To view last year's Heritage presentation, go to www.carefree.com, issue #202.   

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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