Issue No. 5 - Honor Flight Tucson

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Honor Flight Southern Arizona
Serving our local WWII
veterans
NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 5 - Winter 2014
2014 Board of Directors
Emerson T. Knowles, President
Sue Krahe-Archibald, Vice President
Anne Serverian, Secretary
Thomas W. Jones, Treasurer
Aram Serverian, WWII Representative
George McGee, WWII Representative
Sally Hard, Member
Coordinators
Sally Hard, Veteran Health, Safety Coordinator
Richard Robbins, Hub Coordinator
Dominic Quihuis, Volunteer Coordinator
Kathy and Thom Mansur, Veteran Coordinators
2014 Flight Schedule
April 5 - 7
May 18 - 20
June 21 - 23
Newsletter committee: Jessica Bobula, Ann Marie Neill, Amy Swanson
www.honorflightsaz.org ! P. O. Box 32649, Tucson, AZ 85751
The Pillars
Fi#y-­‐six granite pillars celebrate the unprecedented unity of the na8on during WWII. The pillars are connected by a bronze sculpted rope that symbolizes the bonding of the na8on. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia is represented by a pillar adorned with oak and wheat bronze wreaths and inscribed with its name; the pillars are arranged in the order of entry into the Union, alterna8ng south to north across the plaza beginning adjacent to the Field of Gold Stars. The 17-­‐foot pillars are open in the center for greater transparency, and ample space between each allows viewing into and across the memorial.
-­‐hMp://www.wwiimemorial.com
Honor Flight Southern Arizona Ann Marie Neill
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NOTICE TO GUARDIANS AWAITING A TRIP
Star%ng in 2014, we have revised the training requirements for guardians. We will be having training sessions that will last roughly two hours, and they are are mandatory before you are ready to take a trip. We will be scheduling these sessions throughout Southern Arizona. At that %me, you will receive all the safety and procedural training that is necessary for you to be ready to be a guardian. We will also be fiEng you for shirts, confirming IDs, etc., so that as flight %me approaches you are fully prepared to do your job as an Honor Flight Guardian. It makes no difference if you have not been scheduled for a trip yet -­‐ just get your training accomplished so we can check off that box.
Once your guardian training is completed, as flight %me approaches, you will only have to aQend a logis%cs mee%ng in order to learn the details of your specific flight. Look for more informa%on to come and you will be no%fied via e-­‐
mail of the training schedule once it is established. It will also be posted on our website. You will need to register for the training class you wish to aQend. For more informa%on feel free to email any ques%ons you have to guardian@honorflightsaz.org or call us at (520) 204-­‐1391.
-Sally Hard, Veteran Health and Safety Coordinator
Catching Up
We had a busy laQer half of 2013! Here’s a look at some of the happenings...
CEMEX fundraiser
Honor Flight was chosen to be the recipient of a fundraising event at the company’s Family Fun Day on April 20. Dominic Quihuis was present at the event to represent Honor Flight. Employee dona8ons plus funds raised totaled more than $2,000 -­‐ enough to send two veterans on their Honor Flight! Thanks to Debbie SenneG and everyone at CEMEX for their contribu8ons. Sierra Vista night
Honor Flight veterans living in Sierra Vista were treated to a dinner hosted by the Sierra Vista Lodge #2650 PBOE on the evening of May 3 at the Elks Club in Sierra Vista. Thank you, Larry Colby, for all you have done for the Honor Flight Southern Arizona and our WWII veterans.
American Legion presenta=on
By invita8on of the Cocio-­‐Estrada American Legion Post 59, Kathy and Thom Mansur, Ann Marie Neill and veteran Jose Rael (U.S. Army) spoke to the membership on May 4 about Honor Flight. It proved to be the start of an invaluable friendship between this post and Honor Flight. 2
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N.Y.P.D. Night
Aaron Wilson and the Leach-­‐Wilson Real Estate Team joined N.Y. Pizza Dept. in a May 17 fundraiser. Lots of pizza, lots of par8cipa8on, and lots of fun. The effort raised $965 to benefit Honor Flight Southern Arizona.
Dick Freeburg, Chuck Bailey, Aaron Wilson and Thom Mansur man the Honor Flight booth at N.Y. Pizza Dept.
Flight Report #10 June 5 -­‐ 7, 2013 Honor Flight Southern Arizona sent off its third and final flight of the spring – our D-­‐Day flight that lea on Thurs., June 5, in order to be at the WWII Memorial on June 6. On board: 25 veterans, 16 guardians and 2 team leaders.
For more informa=on about this flight and the work behind it, please visit our website at www.honorflightsaz.org and look for “Flight Report #10” under the “Events” tab.
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Tucson Padres
On June 8, the DM50, an organiza8on suppor8ng the men and women of the U.S. Air Force, invited a few Honor Flight Southern Arizona veterans to be honored along with more than 1,000 of our Davis-­‐Monthan A.F.B. personnel who recently returned home from Afghanistan.
Joe Mendez, Kino Bambino, Joe Real, Dick Freeburg and Lowell Lowe
Fundraising Cocktail Party
On June 22, Kate Ryan held a party at her house to raise money for Honor Flight. Kathy and Thom Mansur took veteran Don Becker (U.S. Army) to gather support. The event raised more than $3,000 for Honor Flight. Many thanks to Kate!
Green Valley Lions Club
On June 25, Joel Keyte and the Green Valley Lions Club presented Honor Flight Southern Arizona with a check for $500 for the general fund. This is the second year that the G.V. Lions Club has made a dona8on to Honor Flight. The presenta8on was aMended by Thom and Kathy Mansur along with Silver Spring veterans Ray Nelson (U.S. Army) and Gene Duke (U.S. Army Air Forces).
2nd Annual Golf Tournament
The 2013 tournament was held at Quarry Pines Golf Club on Aug. 23. 144 players showed their support for our veterans, raising more than $15,000 for the general fund. Thanks to everyone who helped us put this together, and for the hundreds of prize dona8ons given to us from businesses throughout the Southern Arizona community. Special thanks to our corporate sponsors: The Law Firm of David Kovalik, The Lenihan Law Firm, 5150 Clothing Effects, Ashland Group -­‐ Millennium, Farmers Investment Company, and Lifestyle Spectrum. 4
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Garage Sale Fundraiser
On Sept. 7, Ann Marie Neill, Amy Swanson and Jessica Bobula put together a massive garage sale to benefit Honor Flight Southern Arizona. They raised enough money to send a veteran on a flight. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause.
Flight Report #11 – Catch the Fever October 6 -­‐ 8, 2013
On Oct. 6, 77 WWII veterans along with 64 guardians, 5 team leaders, and a 3-­‐member crew from KOLD News 13 flew out of Tucson on our first charter flight. Despite the government shutdown and some heavy rain, the trip was a huge success. Upon our return, more than 1,200 people showed up at the airport for the biggest welcome home we’ve ever seen! For more informa=on about this flight and the work behind it, please visit our website at www.honorflightsaz.org and look for “Flight Report #11” under the Events tab.
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9-­‐11 Memorial Ride
On Sept. 14, the American Legion District 2 American Legion Riders held their 6th Annual 9/11 Memorial Tribute Motorcycle Rally to benefit the 9/11 Memorial Fund and Honor Flight. The event raised $1,200 -­‐ enough to send one veteran. We want to thank Steve Aguirre and the American Legion Riders their con8nued support of our efforts. Crea=ve Juices fundraiser
A group of artsy Honor Flight enthusiasts got together at Crea%ve Juices on Sept. 27 to paint patrio%c pieces. They raised nearly enough to send a vet on an Honor Flight!
D.E.S.A.
By invita%on from Lee Israelson of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Associa=on -­‐ Southern Arizona Chapter, Jerry Lujan, Thom Mansur and veteran Paul Butler (U.S. Navy) spoke to the DESA group on Oct. 16 at the Golden Corral Restaurant.
2013 White Elephant Parade
Honor Flight entered this year’s parade on Oct. 26 with the help of 15 Green Valley WWII veterans, three 6-­‐
passenger golf carts donated by Golf Cars of Arizona, several Davis-­‐Monthan A.F.B. ac%ve duty personnel and cadets from the N.J.R.O.T.C. of Sahuarita High School. They and our Honor Flight volunteers walked and drove the route with the theme “Giving so others can grow.” Special thanks to Commander Bradley Roberson (N.J.R.O.T.C.), U.S.A.F. MSgt. Kris= Tellier of the 365th Rescue Group, and Debbie Anderson of Golf Cars of Arizona for helping to make our parade entry successful. 6
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WWII Memorial Dedica=on
Tucson City Councilman Richard Fimbres asked us to par%cipate in the unveiling of the Tucson WWII Memorial at Armory Park on Nov. 1. Represen%ng as many branches of service as possible, we brought Honor Flight veterans Randy Powell (U.S. Coast Guard), Jerry Deutscher (U.S. Marine Corps), and Bobby Mathews (U.S. Army Air Corps) to the event. Speakers included former Tucson mayor and WWII veteran George Miller (U.S. Marine Corps). Also seen around the Dedica%on Services were several other Honor Flight veterans, including Joe Mendez, George McGee and Dave Hardy.
Cookie par=es
In December, we had reunions for our most recent flights. They were small cookie par%es to celebrate the holidays and reconnect in Tucson and Green Valley. It was so nice to see everyone again!
Save the Date: Volunteer mee=ng
February 1, 2014
Are you an Honor Flight volunteer? Interested in becoming one?
We’re having a mee%ng to talk about commiQees and plans for the coming year’s flights. Even if you haven’t filled out a volunteer applica%on, we’d love to meet you and talk about how you can help!
4300 E. Broadway Blvd.
1 -­‐ 3 p.m.
Ques%ons? Contact our volunteer coordinator, Dominic Quihuis, at dquihuis@honorflightsaz.org.
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Save the Date: Opera=on Race for Vets
March 22, 2014
Musselman Honda and the Leach Wilson team from Keller Williams are puEng together a fundraising event to benefit Honor Flight Southern Arizona. Musselman Honda Circuit Raceway
11800 S. Harrison Road
Saturday, March 22
If you’re interested in entering a team, call (520) 730-­‐3887 for details.
Remembering Friends
Honor Flight Southern Arizona joins the en%re community in mourning the loss of Dave SiGon, who passed away Aug. 12, 2013. Dave had been an Honor Flight Southern Arizona Board Member since the organiza%on’s incep%on in 2011. Well known for his community involvement, Dave had many passions, including veterans. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Dave, we will watch out for your beloved World War II vets and con%nue cheering for your U. of A. Wildcats! Rest in peace, our friend.
Gus Weinschenker, Jr. of the U.S. Army died on Nov. 27. He flew on flight #4 in May 2012.
George E. Hall of the U.S. Army died on Nov. 23. He flew on flight #6 in Sept. 2012.
Graham L. Marsh of the U.S. Army died on Nov. 12. He flew on flight #11 in Oct. 2013.
Harold R. Duarte of the U.S. Army died on Oct. 12. He flew on flight #8 in March 2013.
Robert H. Siewertsen of the U.S. Navy died on Sept. 19. He flew on flight #3 in Nov. 2011.
James H. McDonnell of the U.S. Navy died on Sept. 11. He flew on flight #1 in Sept. 2011.
Lawrence W. Ellsworth of the U.S. Navy died on Aug. 10. He flew on flight #8 in March 2013.
Donald E. MiHelstaedt of the U.S. Army died on Aug. 3. He flew on flight #5 in June 2012.
Erskin Fulgham of the U.S. Army died on July 23. He flew on flight #1 in Sept. 2011.
Lucille L. Day of the Women’s Army Corps died on July 15. She flew on flight #2 in Oct. 2011.
Edward J. Sawicki of the U.S. Navy died on June 23. He flew on flight #1 in Sept. 2011.
Harvey A. Legg of the U.S. Army died on June 11. He flew on flight #2 in Oct. 2011.
Contact information:
If you have a change of home address or e-mail, send your new contact information to P. O. Box 32649, Tucson, AZ 85751 or [email protected].
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