Art Sloane
As soon as possible, after all WWII veterans have been able to make the trip to their Memorial in Washington, the Honor Flights will start taking Korean War Veterans to also see the Memorials including the Korean War Memorial. They may start applying now; go to www.honorflightaz.org. Please do not call this columnist. No computer. Go to the library to download the papers you will need.
There are many opportunities in Arizona for retired veterans to go if space is available on Air Force flights. In addition to Luke AFB in the West Valley, there is also Davis Monthan in Tucson and the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard at Sky Harbor Airport. This is also open to current members serving their country, guard and reserve members.
Veterans, military and the public are invited to a free military history program from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on June 5 at the Arizona Capitol Museum, Historic Senate Chamber, 1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix. The program will commemorate the Battle of Midway, June 1942, which was the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. The guest speaker will be Rear Admiral Hugh Dennis Wisely, US Navy Retired, Naval Aviator, Vietnam Veteran, Blue Angels Air Boss and former Captain, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY aircraft carrier. Seating is limited. Call 602-885-7038 for more information.
Major league baseball teams are showing their appreciation for service members, both past and present, with military discounts on 2015 game tickets. Many teams also hold military appreciation days to honor those who have served our country. The Arizona Diamondbacks offer all active, reserve, retired and veteran military personnel a 50 percent discount on up to four tickets for all Sunday home games in 2015.
Fisher House is coming to Arizona with the first one to be built in Tucson for families and veterans that live 50 or more miles away from the Veterans Hospital. It will have 16 private suites accommodating two to four persons each. Guests will share a comfortable living and family room, spacious dining room, state of the art kitchen and modern laundry facilities. The Arizona Fisher House fundraising committee has been charged with raising $3 million that will be matched by the Fisher House Foundation. Ground was broken this week next to the hospital in Tucson but your help is still needed. Please send tax deductible donations to Arizona Fisher House, 8140 S. Houghton Rd. Suite 130, Tucson AZ 85747. For more information call 520-404-2526; [email protected]. As soon as this house is complete the group will start one in Phoenix.
The new northeast Phoenix VA community-based outpatient Clinic at 11390 Via Linda Dr. in Scottsdale is now open. Call the hospital at 602-277-5551.
The Arizona Territorial Chapter of the Association of the United States Army will hold its Army Birthday/Flag Day Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on June 14 at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. Posting of the colors will be by the Continental Army Color Guard of the Sons of the American Revolution; cost is $30. For more information or to attend please contact Gene Rafanelli 480-272-8302.