Liz Gibson
The eighth annual PebbleCreek Republican Club’s Patriotic Event and Dinner honoring PebbleCreek Republican veterans was a beautiful and moving evening, from the opening familiar patriotic songs until the singing of the God Bless America finale.
Held Thursday evening November 2 in the packed Tuscany Falls Ballroom, the extensive program began with a welcome from President Linda Migliore, followed by the Posting of the Colors by the Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Arizona State Senator Steve Montenegro, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Invocation by Chaplain Tom Chapman.
The audience sang military theme songs from all the branches of the service, the words included in the program and with a background of America the Beautiful. Sue Harrison explained the annual “Missing Man Table” set with a single red rose and yellow ribbon on a white cloth with an inverted glass in remembrance of the missing in action.
Following dinner PebbleCreek Republican Club President Linda Migliore thanked Bari Cavallo, Karen Rubsam, Sandra Hand, Sue Harrison and the many others for their hard work in making the evening a great success.
The Veterans’ Recognition was presented by Arizona Senator Steve Montenegro, Arizona Representative Darin Mitchell and Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord; the individuals for each branch of service were called to the stage before a group picture was taken for the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.
They then presented the 2017 Honoree Recognition award to recipient Thomas Chapman, current Club Chaplain.
Retired as a Commander in the Army, he was involved in the development and deployment of the world’s first Anti-Ballistic Missile System and led software programmers who developed the treat definition part of the system software. After retiring from his military career, he flew search and rescue missions with the Arizona Squadron, Civil Air Patrol for 25 years. Some of Tom’s awards include Air Assault Badge, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm Medal.
Speakers for the evening were Army 1SG Jonathan Schofield, retired, Marine Corps Corporal John Parsons and Air Force Colonel Ron Lord, retired. Each speaker shared some personal memories from his time of active service which was .ery moving, enlightening as well as entertaining perspective into military service.
Another highlight of the evening was the video presentation, produced by Sandra Hand, flashing pictures of PebbleCreek Republican Club veterans from WWII, Korea and Viet Nam in their uniforms and often from their theaters of service.
It was a wonderful evening of recognition of the many who have served.