By Jay Lickus | Public Relations Chair, Rotary Club of Surprise
In honor of Veterans Day, the Rotary Club of Surprise hosted a Military Appreciation Ceremony honoring veterans from all branches of the military.
The event took place Nov. 9 in the Grand Ballroom of Sun Health’s Grandview Terrace Senior Living Community, 14515 W. Granite Valley Drive.
All attending were encouraged to wear service dress if having served in the United States military.
The event started with the presentation of the colors by the Honor Guard from the 56th Fighter Wing (AETC), Luke Air Force Base. The “National Anthem” was sung by David Orona, Pastor at City Church of Surprise, and an invocation was given by Reverand Fannalou Guggisberg, retired Chaplin and Major, U.S. Air Force.
The ceremonies included guest speakers Lieutenant Colonel Eric N. Ringelstetter, the Commander of the 56th Training Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, and Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck, Adjutant General of Arizona and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
“We are excited to honor our veterans in such a special way and to have the opportunity to thank Sun Health for their generous support of our club over the years,” said Pamela Kohnen, event committee chair with the Rotary Club of Surprise. “We are celebrating the selfless contributions made by our veterans to secure our freedom and honoring the fact these heroes and their families epitomize the Rotary International motto of ‘Service Above Self.’”
The event continued with a ceremony of the Missing Soldier Table and a musical salute to the armed forces by the Vocal Chords, the Sun Health Communities Choir, with Marietta Johns, Director, and Nancy Gordon, accompanist.
The event ended with a visual presentation of the “Hymn to the Fallen.”
To increase its impact in the community, the club used the social opportunity to welcome requests for membership consideration into the club. Light snacks and refreshments were also served.
The Rotary Club of Surprise meets 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month inside the Colonnade Retirement Community, 19116 N. Colonnade Way.
Visit rotaryclubofsurprise.com for information.
