As a way to show our support for active military and our veterans, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce formed a Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. We plan to share our efforts with the community through a monthly communication.
14th Annual Veterans Day Celebration A Huge Success
2016 Veterans Day
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce Military & Veterans Affairs Committee and the City of Glendale partnered for the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Glendale Main Library. Over 100 attended the celebration this year which is nearly triple the attendance over the past few years.
The ceremony began with the posting of colors by the Glendale Police Honor Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Jannael Larrabbee, a junior at Greenway High School. Military & Veterans Affairs Committee liaison, Harry Shapiro, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Committee Chairman, Sgt. Jeff Turney, of the Glendale Police Department was the emcee. He introduced the Mayor and councilmembers present. Featured speakers included Mayor Weiers of Glendale; Ed Besta, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee member and First Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1433; Patrick Young, Adjunct Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20; Councilmember Bart Turner and keynote speaker Chief Master Sergeant John Sawyer of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base. The Mayor also honored Ret. Sgt. Wayne Crusinberry and the Glendale Veterans Memorial Association for their involvement in creating and coordinating the event over the past 13 years.
Following the ceremony in the auditorium, all went outside by the Veterans Memorial on the library property to view the flag raising ceremony by the Marine Corps League Old Breed Detachment #767. The event ended with a 150 balloon release coordinated by the D.A.V. Auxilliary. Each balloon had the name of a deceased veteran attached.
Glendale Police Sergeant Jeff Turney Honored As "Angel of the Year"
Sgt. Turney with his Angel of the Year award
Committee Chairman, Sgt. Jeff Turney, was recently named "Angel of the Year" by the
Angels on Patrol organization. Turney was honored at the 3rd Annual Halos & Holsters Dinner and Auction on November 19th at the FireSky Resort in Scottsdale.
Sgt. Turney was honored for his dedication to the community. He was chosen due to his work in assisting families in crisis and spreading the word to the Glendale Police Department about resources available from Angels on Patrol.
Angels on Patrol is a valley wide organization that provides resources to families and children in need as identified by police officers.
Legislation Effecting Military Personnel and Veterans
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for 2017. The bill includes nearly $177 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is an 8% increase over 2016. A portion of the funding will help modernize and improve the disability claims process which should fix the unacceptable claims backlog. It will also go towards increased mental health treatment and improve access to health services for veterans. Another important part of the legislation includes a 1.6% pay raise for military service members.
H.R. 5620, which is a bi-partisan legislation called the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act, gives authority to the Secretary of the Veterans Administration to demote or remove any employee for poor performance or misconduct. It also allows the VA to recoup bonuses paid to under performing employees.
36th Annual Luke Shoot Out - SAVE THE DATE
Foursome Bob Cohn, Tom Cook - retired Sgt. U.S. Air Force, Harry Shapiro, and George Thorne - retired Sgt. Maj. of U.S. Army at the 34th Annual Luke Shoot Out
The Annual Luke Shoot Out Golf Tournament is one of the longest continuously run military golf tournaments in the area. It began in 1981 as a relationship building effort between the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and Luke Air Force Base. Chamber members Bill Kelleher, Jim Herman, Ed LeGendre, Wendell DeCross and chamber executive Bob Beckley were the originators of the event. Bill Kelleher is still involved with the Luke Shoot Out today.
Villa de Paz Golf Course in Phoenix was the site of the first four tournaments. The committee decided to increase the value and quality of the golf tournament and moved the event to the Wigwam Resort. It was held there for 15 successful years. Like Air Force Base opened its own golf course in 1998 covering an old landfill on W. Northern Avenue and N. Reems Road just north of the base. Falcon Dunes Golf Course became the home of the Luke Shoot Out in 2000 and it has been at that location ever since.
Today, a portion of the proceeds from the Luke Shoot Out benefit "Operation Warm Heart" at Luke Air Force Base. This is a great way to say thank you to enlisted personnel who are devoted to serving.
The 36th Annual Luke Shoot Out Golf Tournament will be held Friday, April 7, 2017 at Falcon Dunes Golf Course, 15100 W. Northern Avenue with check in beginning at 6:30am and a shotgun start at 7:30am. Featured at the tournament is a putting contest with a guaranteed cash winner plus Hole in One and Closest to the Pin contests on all par threes. One of the Hole in One prizes is a new 2017 vehicle. There is also a Challenge Hole where you can double your wager if your ball stops inside a large circle on the green. Many raffle items will be available and mulligans through the purchase of raffle tickets at the tournament. For information, early registration, sponsorships, advertising and item donations for the Luke Shoot Out, please call the Glendale Chamber of Commerce at 623-937-4754.
Upcoming Events
Our Military & Veterans Affairs Committee members work hard to advocate for active and former Military. One way they do this is by holding various community events.
Click here for a list of upcoming events backed by some of our members!
Does your business honor our heroes with specials and discounts for active military
and/or veterans? If so let us know! Email you company name and a discount description Jackie Peyton atinfo@glendaleazchamber.org
Please contact Chair of the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee,
Sgt. Jeff Turney, through our Chamber liaison, Harry Shapiro, at 623-937-4754
if you would like to learn more or have any suggestions
