Carefree Truth
Issue #651, June 4, 2018
Councilman Mike Farrar announced that the parade featuring about 60 Motorcycles from the American Legion Riders & the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders would be starting at the sundial and making 2 rounds. https://vimeo.com/272468082
Herbert took still photos of all 30 of the neat motorcycles that participated. http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/american-legion-riders--patriot-guard-riders.html
Issue #651, June 4, 2018
Councilman Mike Farrar announced that the parade featuring about 60 Motorcycles from the American Legion Riders & the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders would be starting at the sundial and making 2 rounds. https://vimeo.com/272468082
Herbert took still photos of all 30 of the neat motorcycles that participated. http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/american-legion-riders--patriot-guard-riders.html
Mr. Farrar introduced Barbara Hatch with the Veteran's Heritage Project (VHP):
Mrs. Hatch said the VHP is a co-sponsor of Carefree's traditional Veteran's Day event as well as the first Carefree Memorial Day event. The VHP book this year was "A Salute to WWII". She asked WWII veterans in attendance to please sign the VHP poster that will hang in their office. VHP was awarded the Citizens Award from the Congressional Metal of Honor Society in Washington, D.C. to recognize the over 1700 students who have interviewed over 1800 veterans in the past 14 years. Mrs. Hatch presented a copy of the award to the Cave Creek Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Debbie Burdick, who has been an amazing supporter of the Project. Mrs. Hatch ended by thanking the current and past VHP presidents.
https://vimeo.com/272470335
Mr. Farrar recognized his fellow Council members and thanked the various participants, then read his opening speech. He did not respond to my request to send us the text of his speech, but it can be heard on the following video.
https://vimeo.com/272473415
Mrs. Hatch said the VHP is a co-sponsor of Carefree's traditional Veteran's Day event as well as the first Carefree Memorial Day event. The VHP book this year was "A Salute to WWII". She asked WWII veterans in attendance to please sign the VHP poster that will hang in their office. VHP was awarded the Citizens Award from the Congressional Metal of Honor Society in Washington, D.C. to recognize the over 1700 students who have interviewed over 1800 veterans in the past 14 years. Mrs. Hatch presented a copy of the award to the Cave Creek Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Debbie Burdick, who has been an amazing supporter of the Project. Mrs. Hatch ended by thanking the current and past VHP presidents.
https://vimeo.com/272470335
Mr. Farrar recognized his fellow Council members and thanked the various participants, then read his opening speech. He did not respond to my request to send us the text of his speech, but it can be heard on the following video.
https://vimeo.com/272473415
Mr. Farrar introduced Mayor Les Peterson:
"Thank you all for coming out this morning to join with residents of the Town of Carefree in honoring and paying tribute to those brave men and women who have given their lives in battle carrying out the mission of the United States of America.They deserve our heartfelt gratitude and this Memorial Day tribute its dedicated to them.
The practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back at least 2,400 years. The first recorded instance of a Memorial tribute was recorded in ancient Greece in the year 431 BCE (Before Christian Era). The statesman Pericles was noted to have honored the Greek warriors that had fallen in the Peloponnesian War in a speech praising their valor in defense of the city of Athens.
Memorial tributes continued throughout many countries over the following centuries. A Memorial tribute was initiated in the United States in the latter half of the 1860s following the conclusion of the Civil War. The practice at that time was to staff military battle groups with soldiers from the same town or locale, so when a particular battle group suffered heavy casualties a high percentage of the casualties would likely be from the same town.
More recently, the definition of those soldiers honored in a Memorial tribute is being broadened. Historically, those honored were those killed in a battle, but increasingly those honored also include those whose lives were shortened or dramatically changed as a result of their participation in a battle. This could include men and women suffering a life shortening physical injury by coming into contact with a deadly agent in battle (e.g., agent orange), or one of the invisible wounds of war (e.g., a mental condition such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, or traumatic brain injury, TBI). A review of available data supports that over 30% of soldiers fighting in the Iran and Afghanistan conflicts returned home with some variation of PTSD, and that over 60% of the homeless in this country are military veterans who have suffered some type of a mental impairment gained from a battle situation.
In recognition of this situation, Carefree is proud to be among the leaders in the formation of a “Military Court” in the East Valley. For a person accused of a crime, to qualify for inclusion in a “Military Court” the Judge first asks the defendant if they have served in the military, and if yes, have they fought in a battle. After a series of additional questions probing to identify if the defendant could be suffering from one or more of the physical or invisible wounds of war, those qualifying can be shifted by the Judge into a “Military Court” where the sentences deal more with rehabilitation rather than punishment as the deterrent to future wrong-doing.
In conclusion, on behalf of the residents of Carefree I would like to deeply honor all of those who have lost their lives in a battle or as a result of a battle defending the United States. I would also like to extend our sincere condolences to all of their family and friends for the sacrifice made by their loved one. Lastly, I would also like to thank Councilman Michael Farrar for all of his efforts to bring this Memorial Day tribute to fruition in Carefree."
"Thank you all for coming out this morning to join with residents of the Town of Carefree in honoring and paying tribute to those brave men and women who have given their lives in battle carrying out the mission of the United States of America.They deserve our heartfelt gratitude and this Memorial Day tribute its dedicated to them.
The practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back at least 2,400 years. The first recorded instance of a Memorial tribute was recorded in ancient Greece in the year 431 BCE (Before Christian Era). The statesman Pericles was noted to have honored the Greek warriors that had fallen in the Peloponnesian War in a speech praising their valor in defense of the city of Athens.
Memorial tributes continued throughout many countries over the following centuries. A Memorial tribute was initiated in the United States in the latter half of the 1860s following the conclusion of the Civil War. The practice at that time was to staff military battle groups with soldiers from the same town or locale, so when a particular battle group suffered heavy casualties a high percentage of the casualties would likely be from the same town.
More recently, the definition of those soldiers honored in a Memorial tribute is being broadened. Historically, those honored were those killed in a battle, but increasingly those honored also include those whose lives were shortened or dramatically changed as a result of their participation in a battle. This could include men and women suffering a life shortening physical injury by coming into contact with a deadly agent in battle (e.g., agent orange), or one of the invisible wounds of war (e.g., a mental condition such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, or traumatic brain injury, TBI). A review of available data supports that over 30% of soldiers fighting in the Iran and Afghanistan conflicts returned home with some variation of PTSD, and that over 60% of the homeless in this country are military veterans who have suffered some type of a mental impairment gained from a battle situation.
In recognition of this situation, Carefree is proud to be among the leaders in the formation of a “Military Court” in the East Valley. For a person accused of a crime, to qualify for inclusion in a “Military Court” the Judge first asks the defendant if they have served in the military, and if yes, have they fought in a battle. After a series of additional questions probing to identify if the defendant could be suffering from one or more of the physical or invisible wounds of war, those qualifying can be shifted by the Judge into a “Military Court” where the sentences deal more with rehabilitation rather than punishment as the deterrent to future wrong-doing.
In conclusion, on behalf of the residents of Carefree I would like to deeply honor all of those who have lost their lives in a battle or as a result of a battle defending the United States. I would also like to extend our sincere condolences to all of their family and friends for the sacrifice made by their loved one. Lastly, I would also like to thank Councilman Michael Farrar for all of his efforts to bring this Memorial Day tribute to fruition in Carefree."
The Mayor asked the audience to rise for the Presentation of Colors from the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard, the Opening Prayer, the National Anthem.
https://vimeo.com/272480770
The following video is of the Presentation of Colors, the Cactus Shadow High School band playing "The Star Spangled Banner", and Father Steven Dart saying the opening prayer and asking for a moment of silence.
Unfortunately, the Presentation of Colors does not show up well in the video. There is normally a seat reserved for me in the front row at the Carefree Veteran's Day event where I set up the video camera to film from a vantage point up front, but the seat was not reserved for the Memorial Day event. All the front row seats were taken when we got there at 8:30, so I was unable to use the camcorder. Fortunately, Herbert was there with his camera to take still photos. It also does nice video, so we were able use that to film it from the back of the amphitheater using his very tall tripod and a zoom lens, but when people stood for the Presentation of Colors, mostly what he got were the backs of the audience members. We were sorry to miss it.
https://vimeo.com/272683423
Mr. Farrar introduced Vice Mayor John Crane:
"Lt. Crane served on the nuclear, fast attack submarine USS Parche (SSN-683) in various engineering billets and finally as weapons officer from 1979 until the fall of 1982, during the heart of the Cold War. While aboard Parche, the boat received three Presidential Unit Citations and he was recognized with a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal. He went on to serve three years as the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2). John currently serves as the Vice Mayor of Carefree."
Vice Mayor Crane led us through a Remembrance of Col. Blaine Keith and the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Good morning. Memorial Day is a somber occasion. The most somber of all U.S. Holidays. No one understood this more than long-time Carefree resident, Col. Blaine Keith.
Blaine was very much looking forward to joining with you today to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. But at 93, Blaine passed away earlier this month.
Blaine was very proud of his 38 years of service in the US Marine Corps. At 17 years old, he flew at Guadalcanal and many other South Pacific Islands. There he earned his first bronze star followed by a silver star. In Korea, Blaine earned his second bronze star and a purple heart.
As a pilot of experimental jets, Blaine accidentally became the first man in space. He went on to work on the space shuttle, flying the 747 with the shuttle piggy-backed. He helped design the landing system for the Apollo Command Module. Blaine was an American hero.
Blaine is looking down upon us today. I know he is surrounded by his comrades in arms. As we honor Blaine, those who have gone before us and those men and women who have given their lives for our country, please stand for our Pledge of Allegiance."
https://vimeo.com/272681820
https://vimeo.com/272480770
The following video is of the Presentation of Colors, the Cactus Shadow High School band playing "The Star Spangled Banner", and Father Steven Dart saying the opening prayer and asking for a moment of silence.
Unfortunately, the Presentation of Colors does not show up well in the video. There is normally a seat reserved for me in the front row at the Carefree Veteran's Day event where I set up the video camera to film from a vantage point up front, but the seat was not reserved for the Memorial Day event. All the front row seats were taken when we got there at 8:30, so I was unable to use the camcorder. Fortunately, Herbert was there with his camera to take still photos. It also does nice video, so we were able use that to film it from the back of the amphitheater using his very tall tripod and a zoom lens, but when people stood for the Presentation of Colors, mostly what he got were the backs of the audience members. We were sorry to miss it.
https://vimeo.com/272683423
Mr. Farrar introduced Vice Mayor John Crane:
"Lt. Crane served on the nuclear, fast attack submarine USS Parche (SSN-683) in various engineering billets and finally as weapons officer from 1979 until the fall of 1982, during the heart of the Cold War. While aboard Parche, the boat received three Presidential Unit Citations and he was recognized with a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal. He went on to serve three years as the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2). John currently serves as the Vice Mayor of Carefree."
Vice Mayor Crane led us through a Remembrance of Col. Blaine Keith and the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Good morning. Memorial Day is a somber occasion. The most somber of all U.S. Holidays. No one understood this more than long-time Carefree resident, Col. Blaine Keith.
Blaine was very much looking forward to joining with you today to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. But at 93, Blaine passed away earlier this month.
Blaine was very proud of his 38 years of service in the US Marine Corps. At 17 years old, he flew at Guadalcanal and many other South Pacific Islands. There he earned his first bronze star followed by a silver star. In Korea, Blaine earned his second bronze star and a purple heart.
As a pilot of experimental jets, Blaine accidentally became the first man in space. He went on to work on the space shuttle, flying the 747 with the shuttle piggy-backed. He helped design the landing system for the Apollo Command Module. Blaine was an American hero.
Blaine is looking down upon us today. I know he is surrounded by his comrades in arms. As we honor Blaine, those who have gone before us and those men and women who have given their lives for our country, please stand for our Pledge of Allegiance."
https://vimeo.com/272681820
Councilman Mike Krahe introduced Lieutenant Colonel Pratt Ashworth:
"Lieutenant Colonel Pratt Ashworth is a retired U.S Air Force Pilot. He is a Past Commander of American Legion Post 34 right next door in Cave Creek. He received his Bachelor degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha & MBA at the University of Utah. A veteran of the Vietnam Conflict where he flew three different USAF Forward Air Control aircraft and several hundreds of combat missions directing fighter attacks in support of the US and friendly forces. Among Col. Ashworth’s combat awards he received the Silver Star (the nation’s third highest award for valor), the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, and 18 Air Medals (several for valor)."
Col. Ashworth spoke extensively about his adventures and about American Legion Post 34.
https://vimeo.com/272695313
Geoff Byers introduced Col. James Kelsey:
"He started his military career graduating 1st in his class from the Army ROTC at the University of Rhode Island. He was sent to infantry school at Fort Benning. He served 2 tours in Vietnam, where he decided to try out for the military intelligence branch.
He was then moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the home of the Military Intelligence since 1971. He was then noticed for his intelligence work and got assigned at the most interesting job in the world, one of the U.S. Army Staff Action Officers assigned to the Office of Assistant Chief of Staff of Intelligence. There he was able to handle foreign visitors for the U.S. Army.
He was sent to Korea to become the Chief of the All Source Intelligence Center, then served in Washington D.C. to command the Intelligence Battalion. Jim's battalion covered all of the U.S. Army's activities in Germany and several other countries. Jim was again noticed for his intelligence work and was selected by the Army War College to spend a year traveling the country representing the military. Following that, Jim went back to Arizona to Fort Huachuca, where they made him the Head of Military Intelligence. But shortly after, he got a phone call. 'Congratulations, you've been selected for Brigade Command.' Then he was sent back to Germany, where he served as the Brigade Commander. Jim gave up command of the Brigade in 1990 and was reassigned to Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations for the U.S. Army Intelligence Security Plan. After that, he became the Chief of Staff and Garrison Commander for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, back to the home of Military Intelligence.
So, after a remarkable 29 years, 7 months and 18 days, since the 13th of June, 1965, Jim retired. After that, he went to work for a variety of defense contractors, but throughout his life he is most proud of his wife, his 2 daughters, his sons-in-law, and his 4 grandchildren. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce my great friend and role model, Col. James Kelsey."
Col. Kelsey spoke of the 4 deceased military men in his life that had the most impact on him, the last one being his father.
https://vimeo.com/272872320
The Cactus Shadows High School band played, "Proud to be an American".
https://vimeo.com/272889408
Councilman Gene Orrico introduced Capt Justin Lee:
"Capt. Justin Lee is a U.S Air Force Fighter Pilot based out of Luke Air Force Base. He has over 6 years of experience flying the F-16 and last year transitioned to the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II. He served a year and a half defending South Korea and in 2016 was selected as Shaw Air Force Base’s Instructor Pilot of the Year. Last year he returned from Afghanistan where his squadron dropped the most ordnance since the opening days of the war in 2001. Capt. Lee has 4 Air Medals to his name with nearly 400 hours of Combat flight time."
Capt. Lee praised the fallen and spoke about his experiences flying in the Air Force.
https://vimeo.com/272881427
Councilman Stephen Hatcher began by saying this event made him realize how closely we are all tied as a country and as a single family, not to forget all those who we have lost. His son, of whom he is very proud, served in the Marine Corps and now serves in the press corps. His nephew, who is retired from the Marine Corps, was a recipient of the Chester Puller Award, one of the most prestigious offered by the Marine Corps. Mr. Hatcher never served in the military, but worked in military research as a stealth technologist on the Air Force Stealth Fighter, and his roommate at ASU was the lead engineer for the F-35.
Mr. Hatcher introduced Lt. Col. Robinson Mata:
"Lt. Col. Robinson R. Mata is currently the Commander of the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ. He has served the USAF for 22 years as a career Logistics Readiness Officer to include his prior enlisted service of 6 years. Before his current assignment, Lt. Col. Mata was the Commander of Defense Logistics Agency Energy Pacific at Okinawa, Japan. Lt. Col. Mata spent two deployments in Iraq and spent 2 years in South Korea. His military awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service, Commendation, and Achievement Medals."
Lt. Col. Mata shared his military experiences as an Air Force logictician.
https://vimeo.com/272953301
American Legion Post 34 Commander Ron Turrell conducted the Wreath Ceremony, asking that audience members of each branch of the service stand while their branch hymn was played and the wreath hung on the wreath rack. Mr. Farrar asked for a moment of silence while "Taps" was played. The event wrapped up with the high school band playing "God Bless America".
https://vimeo.com/273044675
A much anticipated fly-by performed by Luke AFB was scheduled at the end of the event, but for unknown reasons failed to materialize.
This link shows the still photos taken by Herbert before the event began and also includes the motorcycles.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/52818-carefree-2018-memorial-day-tribute.html
"Lieutenant Colonel Pratt Ashworth is a retired U.S Air Force Pilot. He is a Past Commander of American Legion Post 34 right next door in Cave Creek. He received his Bachelor degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha & MBA at the University of Utah. A veteran of the Vietnam Conflict where he flew three different USAF Forward Air Control aircraft and several hundreds of combat missions directing fighter attacks in support of the US and friendly forces. Among Col. Ashworth’s combat awards he received the Silver Star (the nation’s third highest award for valor), the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, and 18 Air Medals (several for valor)."
Col. Ashworth spoke extensively about his adventures and about American Legion Post 34.
https://vimeo.com/272695313
Geoff Byers introduced Col. James Kelsey:
"He started his military career graduating 1st in his class from the Army ROTC at the University of Rhode Island. He was sent to infantry school at Fort Benning. He served 2 tours in Vietnam, where he decided to try out for the military intelligence branch.
He was then moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the home of the Military Intelligence since 1971. He was then noticed for his intelligence work and got assigned at the most interesting job in the world, one of the U.S. Army Staff Action Officers assigned to the Office of Assistant Chief of Staff of Intelligence. There he was able to handle foreign visitors for the U.S. Army.
He was sent to Korea to become the Chief of the All Source Intelligence Center, then served in Washington D.C. to command the Intelligence Battalion. Jim's battalion covered all of the U.S. Army's activities in Germany and several other countries. Jim was again noticed for his intelligence work and was selected by the Army War College to spend a year traveling the country representing the military. Following that, Jim went back to Arizona to Fort Huachuca, where they made him the Head of Military Intelligence. But shortly after, he got a phone call. 'Congratulations, you've been selected for Brigade Command.' Then he was sent back to Germany, where he served as the Brigade Commander. Jim gave up command of the Brigade in 1990 and was reassigned to Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations for the U.S. Army Intelligence Security Plan. After that, he became the Chief of Staff and Garrison Commander for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, back to the home of Military Intelligence.
So, after a remarkable 29 years, 7 months and 18 days, since the 13th of June, 1965, Jim retired. After that, he went to work for a variety of defense contractors, but throughout his life he is most proud of his wife, his 2 daughters, his sons-in-law, and his 4 grandchildren. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce my great friend and role model, Col. James Kelsey."
Col. Kelsey spoke of the 4 deceased military men in his life that had the most impact on him, the last one being his father.
https://vimeo.com/272872320
The Cactus Shadows High School band played, "Proud to be an American".
https://vimeo.com/272889408
Councilman Gene Orrico introduced Capt Justin Lee:
"Capt. Justin Lee is a U.S Air Force Fighter Pilot based out of Luke Air Force Base. He has over 6 years of experience flying the F-16 and last year transitioned to the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II. He served a year and a half defending South Korea and in 2016 was selected as Shaw Air Force Base’s Instructor Pilot of the Year. Last year he returned from Afghanistan where his squadron dropped the most ordnance since the opening days of the war in 2001. Capt. Lee has 4 Air Medals to his name with nearly 400 hours of Combat flight time."
Capt. Lee praised the fallen and spoke about his experiences flying in the Air Force.
https://vimeo.com/272881427
Councilman Stephen Hatcher began by saying this event made him realize how closely we are all tied as a country and as a single family, not to forget all those who we have lost. His son, of whom he is very proud, served in the Marine Corps and now serves in the press corps. His nephew, who is retired from the Marine Corps, was a recipient of the Chester Puller Award, one of the most prestigious offered by the Marine Corps. Mr. Hatcher never served in the military, but worked in military research as a stealth technologist on the Air Force Stealth Fighter, and his roommate at ASU was the lead engineer for the F-35.
Mr. Hatcher introduced Lt. Col. Robinson Mata:
"Lt. Col. Robinson R. Mata is currently the Commander of the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ. He has served the USAF for 22 years as a career Logistics Readiness Officer to include his prior enlisted service of 6 years. Before his current assignment, Lt. Col. Mata was the Commander of Defense Logistics Agency Energy Pacific at Okinawa, Japan. Lt. Col. Mata spent two deployments in Iraq and spent 2 years in South Korea. His military awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service, Commendation, and Achievement Medals."
Lt. Col. Mata shared his military experiences as an Air Force logictician.
https://vimeo.com/272953301
American Legion Post 34 Commander Ron Turrell conducted the Wreath Ceremony, asking that audience members of each branch of the service stand while their branch hymn was played and the wreath hung on the wreath rack. Mr. Farrar asked for a moment of silence while "Taps" was played. The event wrapped up with the high school band playing "God Bless America".
https://vimeo.com/273044675
A much anticipated fly-by performed by Luke AFB was scheduled at the end of the event, but for unknown reasons failed to materialize.
This link shows the still photos taken by Herbert before the event began and also includes the motorcycles.
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/52818-carefree-2018-memorial-day-tribute.html
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.
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.