Fountain Hills has a long tradition of honoring those who have served. This Veterans Day, Monday November 11th, Fountain Hills shows it support at the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial by Fountain Park with a ceremony at 9 am.
The keynote speaker is Ted Vogt, Director AZ Department of Veterans’ Services. VFW Post 7507’s Color will participate in the ceremony and post the colors. Aubrey Srednicki will sing the National Anthem, and Boe James, VFW District 4 Chaplain will give the invocation.
Mr. Vogt was appointed to the post by Governor Janice Brewer in June of this year. He served as an Intelligence Office in the Air Force from 2000 to 2006 including tours in Iraq as a part of Operation “Iraqi Freedom” and in Afghanistan as a part of Operation “Enduring Freedom” as well as a tour in the Pentagon where he briefed the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, Vogt attended and graduated from the University of Arizona’s Rogers College of Law. Vogt served in the Arizona House of Representatives from March 2010 to January 2013 representing the (then) 30th District (Tucson).
This year, American Legion Post 58, led by Commander Len Ahsing, has lead responsibility for the ceremony, which is a joint project of the Town’s three Veterans Service Organizations VFW Post 7507, Amvets post 7 and American Legion Post 58). Responsibility for all ceremonies at the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial rotates between the 3 veterans organizations. VFW Post 7507 will be responsible for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at 9 a.m., Saturday, December 7th.
Veterans are encourage to wear their medals and/or ribbons whether on civilian clothes or full/partial uniforms. The wearing of shirts with the slogan “Home of the Free Because of the Brave” or other patriotic apparel is appropriate and encouraged. VFW, American Legion and AmVets members are encourage to wear organizational caps/hats and shirts.
Chairs for attendees will be provided by the VFW. Coffee and donuts will be available at American Legion Post 58 for all who attend the ceremony. It is anticipated that Mr. Vogt will meet and greet attendees at the Post during this period. American Legion Post 58 is located at 16837 E Parkview Ave in downtown Fountain Hills.
Since many seniors and disabled are unable to attend the outdoor ceremony at the Veterans Memorial downtown, a second less formal ceremony featuring the VFW Color Guard will be held at Fountain View Village at 11:00 a.m. Fountain View Village is located at 16455 E. Ave of the Fountains. The ceremony is open to the public.
The Veterans Appreciation will continue in the evening at the Holiday Inn Express. There will be a buffet dinner that will start at 6pm. All Veterans are encouraged to attend in Dress Uniform for this celebration.
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