Carefree Truth
Issue #604, November 31, 2017
The 2017 Carefree Veteran's Day Event opened with "God Bless America", sung by Kevin Glenn and Beanie Bonnano, backed by the Main Event Band.
John Crane, vice mayor of Carefree, welcomed everyone to the 9th Annual Veterans Day event in Carefree at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. He thanked the audience for attending a program filled with memories and music as we celebrate our veterans.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water were served by the Carefree Kiwanis Club and the Black Mountain Foothills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The coffee was courtesy of the Carefree Coffee Roastery. The delicious cookies were donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Vice Mayor Crane began, "It truly an honor to be here and stand before such a distinguished group. Today we pay tribute to our veterans and their families – for their dedication, courage and many sacrifices.
"In May of this year, I received an email from a Cave Creek resident, Tammy Poole, that I came across while preparing for today. It’s a powerful note and she agreed to allow me to share some of it with you. I quote: 'No one should be forgotten and I make it my personal goal to ensure no one is....if I can help it. My great grandfather fought in the Civil War. My two grandfathers fought in WWI. My father and his two brothers (the only children my grandmother had) fought in WWII. My nephew fought in Desert Storm. Thankfully they all survived and returned home safely. I have 5 sisters and no brothers so serving in the military skipped a generation as my parents refused to let any of us 6 girls join the military. As such, I can do my part, and honor those that did serve. I take pride in not only honoring them but also the ones I don't know. I feel it is our obligation as citizens.' So, in the spirit of this lovely note, we are here today to honor you."
"I have been privileged to be involved in the Carefree Veterans Day for the past few years. And, in that time, I have met many wonderful men and women who have served our country, their spouses, families, and friends. I have met people who care dearly about veterans. Among those I have met, there is one veteran that I have come to call an especially good friend, Col. Blaine Keith. Col. Keith is a long time Carefree resident. He will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before we start I would like to share Blaine’s story. There is much more to Blaine’s story then this. But, when I am done, you will understand why Blaine is a national treasure."
"Blaine Keith’s flying career began in rural Pennsylvania in 1935 with his Uncle EZ delivering US mail in the Noorsduyn mono-plane his Uncle EZ designed and tested. He took the controls at 10 and made his first solo flight at 12. At 17, in 1942, Blaine embarked upon a 38 year career with the US Marine Corps. Before the year was over, Blaine earned his silver wings and 6 sergeant strips and was flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft in Guadalcanal for legendary Joe Foss. In Guadalcanal, Blaine earned his first Bronze Star followed by a Silver Star. The Silver Star was presented by Admiral William Halsey, Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Blaine’s World War II career includes not only action in Guadalcanal, but Bougainville, Saipan, Iwo-Jima and Okinawa among other Pacific Islands."
"After the war Blaine graduated from the War College and returned to combat flying Grumman F9F Panther jets in Korea, earning his Second Bronze star and a Purple Heart. Korea was followed by several years working undercover for the Marines, North American Aviation, and NASA designing and test piloting aircraft and rocket planes. During this time, while strapped to a DRX-1 Rocket, Blaine accidentally became the first American in space. For this he received the “Silver Astronaut Award”. Blaine then went on to play an instrumental role in developing the landing systems for the Apollo space program and the Space Shuttle. As a Senior Test Pilot, Blaine flew the first Boeing 747 flight on which the Space Shuttle was piggy-backed. He went on to pilot that 747 three more times and landed the Space Shuttle off the back of the 747 four times."
"After 38 years, Blaine retired from the Marine Corp and went on to head The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Western Region. In about 1990, Blaine and his wife, Martha, moved to Carefree, where he’s been active and a great, contributing citizen in our Town ever since. We are honored to have Col Blaine Keith here with us today. Thank you, Blaine."
"Colors will be presented by the Cactus Shadows High School Color Guard. Please rise for the presentation of colors and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of our National Anthem by Chance McLaughlin and Katelyn Reinhart of Cactus Shadows High School and Jaisi Briel of Thunderbird High School."
"It is now my pleasure to introduce Carefree resident, and himself a veteran, Ted Dimon, who will guide us through our program. Thank you and enjoy!"
https://vimeo.com/242934809
Ted wished everyone a good afternoon. "What a beautiful day we have for honoring all of our veterans. Thank you for joining us today. We want to thank and acknowledge again the Color Guard from Cactus Shadows High School, as well as Blaine Keith for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chance McLaughlin, Katelyn Reinhart and Jaisi Briel for leading us in the National Anthem. Thank you all so very much. It's always great seeing young people taking the time to participate in community activities. Let's give them a big hand for being here today!"
He said it is always a pleasure to have Barbara Hatch of the Veteran's Heritage Project (VHP) lead off the program. This is the 9th year of gathering the students of Cave Creek, Carefree and neighboring towns to celebrate the connection of young people and veterans. A few veterans in the audience had gone through the interview process, and Ted encouraged others to touch base with Barbara after the event and arrange to be interviewed.
VHP is one of the proudest legacies of Barbara's 40 year teaching career. In February, she won the Arizona Friends of the Humanities Award for connecting students with veterans. The 14th volume of the book is "A Salute to WWII", and the goal is to collect as many stories as possible for permanent archiving in the Library of Congress, keeping the stories alive for their children, grandchildren and for future generations. Ted said Barbara encourages people to give of their time, talents and treasure to help VHP and its growing list of over 1,500 veterans who have been interviewed by over 12,000 students who have participated in the program. There are now 29 chapters of VHP. Ted passed the podium over to Barbara.
Barbara wanted to recognize the Sonoran Trails Middle School as a key partner in the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD). It has been 9 years since CCUSD and the Town of Carefree decided to come together to honor those who fought for our freedoms. The students who participated in the first event in 2008 are are off in their careers. Some are here today. One is in the Marines. Others are in law school or are doctors. "They are busy kids." The students who are here today don't remember them, but they enjoy the legacy of what those students created. The veterans who have been interviewed have become part of their family.
Today is about community. Many of the young people here today will return after college and will continue to reach out to veterans in the community. Their children may one day participate in VHP. Many veterans have lived here for years, and their children and grandchildren are in the local schools. Others come every year to be part of the larger community. "Thank you for expanding that definition of what makes up a community, a group connected by common bonds, in this case our VHP students and their veterans."
Also important are the various civic groups that have supported the students and send their veterans to be interviewed. Kiwanis has helped co-host this event from the very beginning, and has connected students with veterans. Their whole mission is helping young people. Foothills Caring Corp has loaned wheel chairs and walkers for the annual reception and book signing. The American Legion has invited Medal of Honor recipients to meet the townspeople. Central to all this is the Town of Carefree, who believed in the importance of today, especially John Crane and M.C. Ted Dimon.
Barbara said we continue to enjoy the music of the Main Event Band, and thanked Sanderson/Lincoln for building this beautiful pavilion. Sanderson/Lincoln had 5 Lincolns in the Phoenix Veteran's Day parade carrying Cold War veterans, the theme of the parade. They are a true community partner. Sanderson/Lincoln was hosting Driven to Give the following weekend at the Carefree sundial. Test drive a Lincoln and they will donate money to VHP. She encouraged everyone to have some pancakes with Kiwanis and to test drive a Lincoln.
Barbara lives in Phoenix, but said Carefree is her second home. "Thank you for sharing your community with me, from the young people I have been privileged to teach, to the veterans I have been honored to interview. Next year is year 10. You all know where I will be. I hope that you will all be here as well. These young people will be here as well, coming out to celebrate Veteran's Day with all of you. Thank you for all that you do, thank you for all the groups that are set up around, and for making this a real community event."
https://vimeo.com/242954040
Todd Knowles & The Main Event Band and the singers performed a selection of patriotic songs.
https://vimeo.com/243023286
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #604, November 31, 2017
The 2017 Carefree Veteran's Day Event opened with "God Bless America", sung by Kevin Glenn and Beanie Bonnano, backed by the Main Event Band.
John Crane, vice mayor of Carefree, welcomed everyone to the 9th Annual Veterans Day event in Carefree at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. He thanked the audience for attending a program filled with memories and music as we celebrate our veterans.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water were served by the Carefree Kiwanis Club and the Black Mountain Foothills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The coffee was courtesy of the Carefree Coffee Roastery. The delicious cookies were donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Vice Mayor Crane began, "It truly an honor to be here and stand before such a distinguished group. Today we pay tribute to our veterans and their families – for their dedication, courage and many sacrifices.
"In May of this year, I received an email from a Cave Creek resident, Tammy Poole, that I came across while preparing for today. It’s a powerful note and she agreed to allow me to share some of it with you. I quote: 'No one should be forgotten and I make it my personal goal to ensure no one is....if I can help it. My great grandfather fought in the Civil War. My two grandfathers fought in WWI. My father and his two brothers (the only children my grandmother had) fought in WWII. My nephew fought in Desert Storm. Thankfully they all survived and returned home safely. I have 5 sisters and no brothers so serving in the military skipped a generation as my parents refused to let any of us 6 girls join the military. As such, I can do my part, and honor those that did serve. I take pride in not only honoring them but also the ones I don't know. I feel it is our obligation as citizens.' So, in the spirit of this lovely note, we are here today to honor you."
"I have been privileged to be involved in the Carefree Veterans Day for the past few years. And, in that time, I have met many wonderful men and women who have served our country, their spouses, families, and friends. I have met people who care dearly about veterans. Among those I have met, there is one veteran that I have come to call an especially good friend, Col. Blaine Keith. Col. Keith is a long time Carefree resident. He will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before we start I would like to share Blaine’s story. There is much more to Blaine’s story then this. But, when I am done, you will understand why Blaine is a national treasure."
"Blaine Keith’s flying career began in rural Pennsylvania in 1935 with his Uncle EZ delivering US mail in the Noorsduyn mono-plane his Uncle EZ designed and tested. He took the controls at 10 and made his first solo flight at 12. At 17, in 1942, Blaine embarked upon a 38 year career with the US Marine Corps. Before the year was over, Blaine earned his silver wings and 6 sergeant strips and was flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft in Guadalcanal for legendary Joe Foss. In Guadalcanal, Blaine earned his first Bronze Star followed by a Silver Star. The Silver Star was presented by Admiral William Halsey, Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Blaine’s World War II career includes not only action in Guadalcanal, but Bougainville, Saipan, Iwo-Jima and Okinawa among other Pacific Islands."
"After the war Blaine graduated from the War College and returned to combat flying Grumman F9F Panther jets in Korea, earning his Second Bronze star and a Purple Heart. Korea was followed by several years working undercover for the Marines, North American Aviation, and NASA designing and test piloting aircraft and rocket planes. During this time, while strapped to a DRX-1 Rocket, Blaine accidentally became the first American in space. For this he received the “Silver Astronaut Award”. Blaine then went on to play an instrumental role in developing the landing systems for the Apollo space program and the Space Shuttle. As a Senior Test Pilot, Blaine flew the first Boeing 747 flight on which the Space Shuttle was piggy-backed. He went on to pilot that 747 three more times and landed the Space Shuttle off the back of the 747 four times."
"After 38 years, Blaine retired from the Marine Corp and went on to head The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Western Region. In about 1990, Blaine and his wife, Martha, moved to Carefree, where he’s been active and a great, contributing citizen in our Town ever since. We are honored to have Col Blaine Keith here with us today. Thank you, Blaine."
"Colors will be presented by the Cactus Shadows High School Color Guard. Please rise for the presentation of colors and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of our National Anthem by Chance McLaughlin and Katelyn Reinhart of Cactus Shadows High School and Jaisi Briel of Thunderbird High School."
"It is now my pleasure to introduce Carefree resident, and himself a veteran, Ted Dimon, who will guide us through our program. Thank you and enjoy!"
https://vimeo.com/242934809
Ted wished everyone a good afternoon. "What a beautiful day we have for honoring all of our veterans. Thank you for joining us today. We want to thank and acknowledge again the Color Guard from Cactus Shadows High School, as well as Blaine Keith for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chance McLaughlin, Katelyn Reinhart and Jaisi Briel for leading us in the National Anthem. Thank you all so very much. It's always great seeing young people taking the time to participate in community activities. Let's give them a big hand for being here today!"
He said it is always a pleasure to have Barbara Hatch of the Veteran's Heritage Project (VHP) lead off the program. This is the 9th year of gathering the students of Cave Creek, Carefree and neighboring towns to celebrate the connection of young people and veterans. A few veterans in the audience had gone through the interview process, and Ted encouraged others to touch base with Barbara after the event and arrange to be interviewed.
VHP is one of the proudest legacies of Barbara's 40 year teaching career. In February, she won the Arizona Friends of the Humanities Award for connecting students with veterans. The 14th volume of the book is "A Salute to WWII", and the goal is to collect as many stories as possible for permanent archiving in the Library of Congress, keeping the stories alive for their children, grandchildren and for future generations. Ted said Barbara encourages people to give of their time, talents and treasure to help VHP and its growing list of over 1,500 veterans who have been interviewed by over 12,000 students who have participated in the program. There are now 29 chapters of VHP. Ted passed the podium over to Barbara.
Barbara wanted to recognize the Sonoran Trails Middle School as a key partner in the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD). It has been 9 years since CCUSD and the Town of Carefree decided to come together to honor those who fought for our freedoms. The students who participated in the first event in 2008 are are off in their careers. Some are here today. One is in the Marines. Others are in law school or are doctors. "They are busy kids." The students who are here today don't remember them, but they enjoy the legacy of what those students created. The veterans who have been interviewed have become part of their family.
Today is about community. Many of the young people here today will return after college and will continue to reach out to veterans in the community. Their children may one day participate in VHP. Many veterans have lived here for years, and their children and grandchildren are in the local schools. Others come every year to be part of the larger community. "Thank you for expanding that definition of what makes up a community, a group connected by common bonds, in this case our VHP students and their veterans."
Also important are the various civic groups that have supported the students and send their veterans to be interviewed. Kiwanis has helped co-host this event from the very beginning, and has connected students with veterans. Their whole mission is helping young people. Foothills Caring Corp has loaned wheel chairs and walkers for the annual reception and book signing. The American Legion has invited Medal of Honor recipients to meet the townspeople. Central to all this is the Town of Carefree, who believed in the importance of today, especially John Crane and M.C. Ted Dimon.
Barbara said we continue to enjoy the music of the Main Event Band, and thanked Sanderson/Lincoln for building this beautiful pavilion. Sanderson/Lincoln had 5 Lincolns in the Phoenix Veteran's Day parade carrying Cold War veterans, the theme of the parade. They are a true community partner. Sanderson/Lincoln was hosting Driven to Give the following weekend at the Carefree sundial. Test drive a Lincoln and they will donate money to VHP. She encouraged everyone to have some pancakes with Kiwanis and to test drive a Lincoln.
Barbara lives in Phoenix, but said Carefree is her second home. "Thank you for sharing your community with me, from the young people I have been privileged to teach, to the veterans I have been honored to interview. Next year is year 10. You all know where I will be. I hope that you will all be here as well. These young people will be here as well, coming out to celebrate Veteran's Day with all of you. Thank you for all that you do, thank you for all the groups that are set up around, and for making this a real community event."
https://vimeo.com/242954040
Todd Knowles & The Main Event Band and the singers performed a selection of patriotic songs.
https://vimeo.com/243023286
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.