Art Sloane
I recently wrote about the Senator McFarland Memorial in Wesley Boland Plaza in front of the Arizona State House thinking it was the only one to honor of the founder of the GI Bill. There is also a beautiful memorial to Senator McFarland in the Veterans Garden at Mesa Community College. It is a life sized bronze statue of Senator McFarland handing the GI Bill to a young soldier coming up steps to meet him. It has Verdun and Le Marne roses at the base. Nearby is the Honors Bed with Veterans Honor (red) and Honor (white). Please come visit sometime. They are currently in winter pruning so the Roses will be in full glory in April and May.
Adrenaline, Excitement and Fear, a new book by a veteran of Pearl Harbor and a Sun Lakes, AZ resident Jack Holder, has just been published. Jack was on Ford Island in the harbor when the first bombs were dropped and went on to write about his war years. The cost of the book is $27 including packing and shipping from Farabee Publishing, P O Box 322, Chandler, AZ 85244 or www.farabeepublishing.com.
Since the inception of the Memorial Day Service at the Veterans National Cemetery, the music and sound system has been provided by Luke Air Force. The committee has been informed that due to budgetary cuts, the Air Force will no longer provide us with a band, color guard and sound system. The Memorial Day Committee has secured the services of a color guard and a band but is in need of a sound system for the cemetery that will carry the length of the field. The cost of a wireless sound system is in excess of $16,000. The Memorial Day Committee will donate $5,000 but needs to raise the other $11,000 unless someone has a sound system they wish to donate. The system will become the property of the Veterans National Memorial Cemetery and stored on the property to be used for other events. Anyone who wishes to help us in this endeavor can send their donation to Memorial Day Committee of Arizona, c/o Mel Brody, Treasurer, 8989 N. Gainey Center Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85258; contact Mel at 480-473-9076.
The Arizona Chapter Military Officers Association of America will be having a spring golf tournament at 8:00 a.m. on April 23 at Stonecreek Golf Club, 4435 E. Paradise Valley Parkway South in Phoenix. The cost of only $70 includes a buffet lunch and benefits the group’s scholarship fund helping graduating ROTC seniors attend college. For more information, including hole sponsorships, call 480-661-5204 or e-mail [email protected].
Save the date for the book signing and reception of the Class of 2015 of the Arizona Heritage Project. It will be on April 19 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Arizona State University West, 4701 West Thunderbird Rd. in Glendale.
Benefits for a veteran are many but some businesses ask for a photo ID and unless you are retired or have a VA card you are at a loss how to get one. Take your DD 214 or any other piece of military ID such as an American Legion or VFW card to your nearest Department of Transportation office and get a new driver’s license. The fee is just $12 and you can benefit in many ways such as restaurants, Lowe’s or Home Depot. I suggest any business you go into ask if they give a veteran’s discount. Many will give if you just ask.
Art Sloane may be contacted at 480-802-6810 or e-mail [email protected].