Carefree Truth

                                    Issue #443, November 30, 2015

 

 

 

Vice Mayor John Crane opened Carefree Veteran's Day by saying it would be an afternoon of music and memories.  The event is a collaboration between the Town of Carefree and the Veteran's Heritage Project, paying tribute to veteran's and their families for their service and sacrifices which provide us all with the freedoms we enjoy today.  Kate Finegan, a senior at Cactus Shadows High School, is the vice president of the Heritage Project, in which she has participated since her freshman year.  Kate, born in Seoul, Korea, was adopted by a loving American family.  She became involved because her grandfather served in the U.S. Army and she wanted to understand how he felt.  Kate will have interviewed 13 veterans during her 4 years in the program, and now sees the world through the eyes of veterans.  She is the winner of the Phoenix 2015 Veteran's Essay Contest.  Kate read a moving excerpt from her essay.

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/146201351/bc550cdc7d

 

 

 

  

The Cactus Shadow High School (CSHS) student Color Guard  performed the Presentation of Colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kate Finigan.  The Main Event Band played the "National Anthem", which was sung by Katelyn Reinhart and Chance McLaughlin.  Vice Mayor Crane turned the program over to MC Ted Dimon, who gave his personal thanks to the veterans and the CSHS students.

 

  

 

 

Mr. Dimon introduced Barbara Hatch, the now retired CSHS teacher who continues to lead and grow the Heritage Project.  Over 1100 stories of experiences told to students by veterans have been archived in the Library of Congress through this program.  In addition to her many other awards, Mrs. Hatch recently received a lifetime achievement award in social studies and education in Arizona.  Mrs. Hatch began by recognizing the students at Sonoran Trails Middle School, pleased that a new generation of students is participating in the Project.  

 

 

 

By interviewing and recording the stories of the veterans, the students come to understand the depth of sacrifice, the bigger picture.  Mrs. Hatch attended an event in Gold Canyon and spoke with a Korean War veteran who had been captured by the North Koreans and held for 33 months in 5 different POW camps.  He spoke of the 3000 prisoners who died in the camps in N. Korea and China from cold, starvation, and mistreatment.  She has seen the pain as veterans describe battle experiences.  These stories give a tremendous gift to those who want to understand, and the students have been greatly impacted by the stories of service.  Mrs. Hatch asked us all to participate in assuring that veterans get good educations, medical care, and the respect they deserve. Veteran's Day is not just one day; it's every day.

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/146215336/a8959e3457

 

 

 

A musical selection was played by the Main Event Band:

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/146092845/434d707c04  

1.  Andrew Sisters Medley

2.  In the Mood

3.  American Soldier

4.  Only in America

5.  Hero

6.  American the Beautiful

7.  Gold Bless the USA

 

 

 

Mr. Dimon called Col. Gene Rafanelli, from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to the podium next.  Col. Rafanelli pointed out several audience members who are part of AUSA.  Among them was Col. Park Shaw, a WWII veteran and a past president of AUSA, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday, "does a mean dance 'In the Mood' ", and is "still wearing his uniform".  "Good for you, Park!"

 

 

 

The Arizona AUSA includes 3 chapters and almost 1000 members.  They run Yellow Ribbon events for returning and deploying veterans, contribute to homeless Arizona veterans primarily through the Arizona Standdown event each February, and organize free weekends for Wounded Warriors and their spouses at a guest ranch in Cochise County.  They also sponsor Armed Forces Career Officer's Day for aspiring Junior ROTC cadets, financially support all ROTC programs in their chapter area.  AUSA provides awards and metals for soldiers, ROTC cadets, active reservists, and national guardsmen.  

 

 

 

November 11, 2015 was the 97th anniversary of the last day of WWl.  It was originally called Armistice Day, but was changed to Veteran's Day in 1954 to include the veterans of WWll and the Korean War.  Veteran's Day honors the 1.8 million living veterans, as opposed to Memorial Day, which honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Col. Rafanelli thanked them for their service and acknowledged their contribution to national security, underscoring their sacrifices and dedication.  He said they are asked to do jobs the majority of Americans are unwilling to do, which may include duty in hostile environments that may ultimately result in death.  They are trained, disciplined, and loyal.  Many great leaders have emerged from the military, enhancing the civilian work force.        

 

 

 

Mr. Dimon told the audience that Susan Haines, representing Packages from Home and Packages for Hope, "unfortunately left her voice at home", so he read her introduction.  Ms. Haines' involvement with veterans spans more than 25 years.  She volunteered at the British version of the USO in Hong Kong, and many U.S. servicemen passed through on their way to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.  Once back in the Chicago area, she volunteered with the USO.  After retiring from American Airlines and moving to Phoenix she started Packages from Home, which sent care packages to military personal in Iraq and Afghanistan, in 2007.  She is now involved with the more recently formed sister organization, Packages of Hope, which provides access to services and hygiene packages for homeless veterans in the greater metropolitan area.  They participate in the Arizona Standdown, mentioned by Col. Rafanelli. 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/146460639/f857a5e9a0

Below is the video with Susan Haines from last year's Veteran's Day event, which will give more information about these two wonderful charities.

http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/112130233/78900ff287

 

 

 

Stay tuned for part 2:

Mike Wold, Healing of Memories for Veterans

Col Gobel James, US Air Force

"How One Man Got to the Infamous Hano Hilton"

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon