Patricia Moore
On Nov. 2, 184 club members and their guests attended our 13th Annual Honoring Our Veterans Dinner. The Tuscany Falls Ballroom tables were decorated with centerpieces of flags from each military branch while full-size flags of the United States, Arizona, and all the branches of service were set up in front near the stage.
The Agua Fria High School Air Force Jr. ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Member and veteran Stan Bloch read a dedication to Ronald Reagan reading from a speech he gave honoring veterans on Nov. 11, 1988. It began with these words: “Those who live today remember those who do not. Those who know freedom, remember today, those who gave up life for freedom.” Stan then gave the invocation.
Our Veteran of the Year Award recipient was Cindy Zaklan, the first woman veteran to be honored by our club for her 11 years of active duty in the Navy and 20 years in the Naval Reserves. Penny Pew, District Director for Congressman Paul Gosar, awarded Cindy with a three-cornered glass boxed American Flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capital at the direction of Congressman Gosar, as well as a commendation letter. Kurt Junge, our 2022 Honoree, presented Cindy with a beautiful American Eagle Award engraved with her name and years of service to our country.
Member Pete Sattig gave an emotional presentation of the Missing Man Table in tribute to his father whose plane was shot down during World War II and whose body was never recovered. We sang Military songs from all the branches, and our veterans were honored by branch, with photos taken of their individual groups with our guest speaker.
Our guest speaker, Matt Lohmeier, former Lt. Col. in the Air Force and Space Force, gave a heartfelt and sobering talk about the issues we may face in our country and the world over the next couple of years. He told us to hold tightly to our families, friends, and our belief in God, and to take care of one another. He also said we must have the courage to stand firm for our country’s founding principles.
An amazing slideshow with veterans’ photos, military songs, and other tributes was prepared by our member Sandra Hand. Member Lisa Lombardy sang awe-inspiring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, accompanied on piano by Karen Peterson. So many members volunteered to help make this event one we shall never forget! The evening ended with the video of Lee Greenwood and U.S. Soldiers singing God Bless the USA as we all sang along, our hearts swelling with love for our country and for those who served. God bless our veterans and God bless America!