We are serving as an outreach to veterans, wounded members of all branches.”

Will Hunker | Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 691 commander

By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

There is no doubt why the city is known to be a “veteran supportive” area for those who served in the military and their families as Surprise had its annual Vet Fest for the community.

The three-hour, free event was held the evening of April 11 at Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave.

The event was filled with resource tables, offering those who have served, currently serving, or considering serving in the military an opportunity to network and learn about services available to veterans. The family-friendly event featured live music, food trucks, vendor booths, a kids’ zone, static displays of military vehicles and more.

“It’s pretty fun, honestly,” said Dakota Dehler, an Army veteran who attended with his family.

Found among the crowd of attendees were past and present city officials.

“Veterans serve our country and sacrificed,” said Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor, adding the importance of showing support and offering resources.

Sartor, an Army veteran, noted the impact and privilege it was to host the Surprise Vet Fest and The Wall That Heals at the same time.

Complimenting the fun-filled fest, Friends of the Surprise Libraries President Aly Cline, a former vice mayor, was spotted with her husband, Gary, both wearing matching patriotic outfits. She posed with her U.S. Navy veteran, who “knows boats,” in front of a vessel displayed at the event.

Meanwhile, people visited the many booths, gathered information, treats, trinkets and more.

“We are serving as an outreach to veterans, wounded members of all branches,” said Will Hunker, commander for Chapter 691 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, which serves combat-wounded veterans.

Mike Garcia, with Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing, wanted to inform veterans about the nonprofit that offers free, fun opportunities to go fly fishing.

“It’s all free. We provide all the equipment, food, lodging. We are looking for veterans to join our group,” Garcia said, referring people to the website azveteransff.org for information.

See surpriseaz.gov/VetFest.

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Delarita Ford
Lead Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Meet Delarita
Delarita Ford originally joined Independent Newspapers Incorporated, now Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA in 1997, as a general assignment reporter for the Delaware State News daily paper after starting her journalism career in Maryland in 1994, where she honed her skills by writing obituaries, covering community news from births to deaths, education to legislation and more. As a reporter, she has had the opportunity to cover sitting and former U.S. presidential visits in Baltimore, Delaware, and Arizona.

Community: One of the few seasoned journalists who still enjoys covering community events, she can be found with a reporter’s pad taking notes, her phone taking pictures while capturing life’s moments to memorialize them in print for the local newspapers and for the active-adult community where she lives. She maintains a presence with the Black media and the National Association of Black Journalists to encourage peers, socialize, and mentor younger writers.

Education: Life learner who learns from life. Aside from the collegiate education received, she got the best training from on-the-job experience with former editors who went through copy with a red pen and demanded the best writing for hard news and feature stories. 

Random Fact: While a Delaware State News reporter, she could call then Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, usually late at night if a quote or input was needed for varying topics, including legislation and education.

Hobbies: Adopt rescue dogs and give them a nice home. Continuously read and critique news stories from various platforms.