Liz Gibson
The annual PebbleCreek Republican Club Veterans Day Dinner, which sold out with 240 attendees and a waiting list, was held Thursday, November 6 in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom; it was a very celebratory event, both honoring our many members who have served and also enjoying the success of the 2014 elections.
President Linda Migliore thanked Social Chair Sandy Miller for organizing the beautiful evening, Camille Grabb and Sue Harrison for the programs and song sheets, Meg Chrisman for record keeping and the many club members who helped decorate.
Veterans’ services recognition:
Army: Sherriff Joe Arpaio, Ted Baxter, Ed Buda, Don Byars, Edward Chrisman, Jim DeCarlo, Vic Gassi, Dave Grabb, Jim Hughes, Kurt Junge, Avner Karnes, Barry Kotler, Tom Leyda, Larlry Magnusson, Gene Mahler, Douglas McFarland, Mike Minges, Paul Radice, Richard Rippe, David Rose, Rick Simmons, Joe Rota, Tom Wattawa, Jim Wilson and Ron Wolf
Marine: George Alverez, Joseph Belonax, Mathew Bishop, Tom Darby, Ryan Diskerson, Dick Froncek, Richard Fox, Mary Jones, John Parson and Lee Price
Navy: Joe Bonavire, Ed Greeneich, Bill Jones, Charlie Kice, Rick Lee, Bob Macy, Michael McMahon, Jerry Morris, Leno Prandini, Ralph Robie, Greg Roth, Terry Rossi, Ken Semmler and Farrel Taggett
Coast Guard: Art Day
British Army: Paul White
Air Force: Fred Agostarola, Steve Chealander, Ernie Coudert, Jack Fiscus, Russ Georgesen, Jack Gregory, Richard Hall, Mitch Irlenborn, Helen Kincheloe, Jim Leonard, Carl Ludwig, Derek Magnusson, Elizabeth Magnusson, Nyle Neumann, Scot Phillips, Alex Potapoff, Dave Roos, Chuck Schuldt, Tom Smith and Susan Whittaker
We were particularly honored to have three veterans that were part of The Greatest Generation: Avner Karnes, Leno Prandin and Joe Bonavire.
The highlight presentation of the 2014 Honoree Award went to Retired Colonel Steven Chealander who came forward to accept an American flag flown over the U.S. Capital from Congressman Trent Franks and an American Eagle Award from Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The room resounded with appreciation for Steve’s service.
Steve enlisted in the Air Force in 1964, working Security Police until 1968, including a year in Vietnam. He was commissioned an Air Force officer in 1973 and worked as a fighter pilot, instruction pilot and flight examiner of the T38 – F16. 1981 through 1985 he flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds’ demonstration team and in 1986 was selected as Military Aide to President Ronald Reagan. Later he moved to Williams Air Force Base as an F-5 Fighter Squadron Commander and transferred in 1989 to Luke Air Force Base as a F16 Fighter Squadron Commander, becoming Assistant Deputy Commander of Operations for the F16 Tactical Fighter Wing.
After 22 years of military service he retired in 1991 and was nominated by President George W. Bush as Board Member on the National Transportation Safety Board and currently commits to the Reagan Presidential Library.
Congressman Trent Franks, who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees, gave an informative view of Washington and its relationship to Arizona. America’s Sherriff, always entertaining Joe Arpaio, and a Staff Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War, recounted bits of his colorful life and problems relating to his efforts at law enforcement.
President Linda Migliore thanked Trent Franks and Joe Arpaio, with their very busy schedules, for taking time to join us – and the fabulous evening ended.