The 10th Carefree Veteran's Day celebration began with the Main Event Band playing "God Bless America" after which
Vice Mayor John Crane spoke.
"Good afternoon everyone. We are ready to begin! Welcome to the 100th anniversary of Veteran's Day and the 10th Annual Veteran's Day celebration in Carefree. We appropriately kicked off our program with a short rendition of 'God Bless America', composed by Irving Berlin in 1918, 100 years ago."
"I'm John Crane, Vice Mayor of Carefree. Thank you for joining us for an afternoon of memories and music as we honor our veterans. Through the course of the afternoon, please enjoy the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water served by the Carefree Kiwanis Club. The coffee is courtesy of the Carefree Coffee Roastery. The Black Mountain Foothills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated cookies. This chapter of the DAR is local and is exceptionally veteran focused. And, to help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary, Reyness Price and her two sons of Cave Creek and the Military Family Support Fund prepared and brought 4 nicely decorated cakes for all of us to enjoy."
"In addition, if you glance around the perimeter of the Pavilion you will find several organizations that care very much for veterans and provide services to vets. During the music break or after the program, seek them out. Maybe you can help them or maybe they can help you or someone you know. Veterans Heritage Project and BarbaraHatch. The Association of the U.S. Army, and Lt. Col. Vic Conner, a veteran having served 26 years including two tours in Vietnam flying helicopters. The Arizona Youth Leadership Council, Phoenix Chapter, headed by Col. Dick Minor, U.S. Army retired, a Vietnam veteran. The Sonoran Arts League had planned to be here, but at the last minute they were unable to join us. The Sonoran Arts League brings the arts and art education to veterans free of charge. They are located in Stage Coach Village in Cave Creek, I suggest you checkthem out."
"This is an occasion of anniversaries, of traditions. A function of tradition is a way to pass on the values and morals of one generation to the next. It teaches us where we came from and who we are. As a community we very much value those who have served and sacrificed for us, and the opportunity to thank you. And we very much treasure the opportunity to share those values with young people so that they may carry those values forward."
"Since the Carefree Veterans Day program began, we have lost some dear friends - Col. Blaine Keith, Col. Park Shaw, Col. Gene Rafenelli, Army veteran Carefree Mayor David Schwan, who recited 'Flanders Fields' from this stage 4 years ago, and several others. At the same time, we continue to see many familiar and many new faces and I'm thankful that you have all decided to make the Carefree Veterans Day celebration at tradition in your lives."
"We have a special guest with us today. Submariners are few and far between. To have fellow submariner, Captain Richard Noreika, join me in today's program is an honor and a treat for me. Captain Noreika is a 26-year US Navy submarine veteran and a 22-year Carefree resident. He will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Before we start, I'd like to share Richard's story."
"Captain Noreika is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1959. After nuclear power school and submarine school, he was sent to his first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, USS Patrick Henry, in May 1963. Assignments followed on fast attack submarines Tinosa and Batfish, and a tour on the Nuclear Propulsion ExaminingBoard."
"In August 1974, Captain Noreika was assigned to his first submarine command, the USS Kamehameha, SSBN 642, operating out of Rota, Spain for nearly 4 years. After serving as the Deputy Commander of Submarine Squadron 16, Richard was selected to be the fourth officer to take command of one of the new Trident nuclearballistic submarines under construction, the soon to be commissioned USS Michigan, SSBN 727."
"Shortly thereafter, Admiral Rickover and the Navy reassigned Captain Noreika to take over the Trident Refit Facility, a mini shipyard designed to support up to 9 of the expected Trident submarines. Admiral Rickover was the 'Father of the US Nuclear Navy ', a legend and quite a task master. Throughout Captain Noreika 's career, Admiral Rickover hand picked him, time after time, for billet after billet. In 1983 he was assigned to take over the entire Trident Submarine program. After 26 years, including an unheard of 24 years of sea commands, Captain Noreika retired in 1985. We are honored to have Captain Richard Noreika with us today. The Captain will say a few words."
Captain Noreika noted that this was a very special time for him, to be joining with another submariner. He learned the Pledge of Allegiance in elementary school. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, every morning every child would be instructed by the teacher to stand, place their hand over their heart, and say the Pledge facing the flag. It was not a requirement in his era, but it was a standard practice. Then, the Supreme Court said, "No more. We don't have to make anybody say the Pledge of Allegiance". Where do young people learn it now? Many veteran's organizations teach it, as do the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
He picked up his blind 86 year old brother that morning for church, and while in the car, asked his brother to say the Pledge. His brother couldn't remember the words, but when the Captain started him off with, "I pledge", his brother recited the entire Pledge, which he had learned at age 6 or 7. When Captain Noreika was in school, the students gathered in the auditorium every month and sang patriotic songs. He hoped people would continue to teach the Pledge to children. He then asked the audience to stand and say the Pledge with him, slowly and loudly, thinking about the words as they spoke them.
Vice Mayor John Crane spoke.
"Good afternoon everyone. We are ready to begin! Welcome to the 100th anniversary of Veteran's Day and the 10th Annual Veteran's Day celebration in Carefree. We appropriately kicked off our program with a short rendition of 'God Bless America', composed by Irving Berlin in 1918, 100 years ago."
"I'm John Crane, Vice Mayor of Carefree. Thank you for joining us for an afternoon of memories and music as we honor our veterans. Through the course of the afternoon, please enjoy the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water served by the Carefree Kiwanis Club. The coffee is courtesy of the Carefree Coffee Roastery. The Black Mountain Foothills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated cookies. This chapter of the DAR is local and is exceptionally veteran focused. And, to help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary, Reyness Price and her two sons of Cave Creek and the Military Family Support Fund prepared and brought 4 nicely decorated cakes for all of us to enjoy."
"In addition, if you glance around the perimeter of the Pavilion you will find several organizations that care very much for veterans and provide services to vets. During the music break or after the program, seek them out. Maybe you can help them or maybe they can help you or someone you know. Veterans Heritage Project and BarbaraHatch. The Association of the U.S. Army, and Lt. Col. Vic Conner, a veteran having served 26 years including two tours in Vietnam flying helicopters. The Arizona Youth Leadership Council, Phoenix Chapter, headed by Col. Dick Minor, U.S. Army retired, a Vietnam veteran. The Sonoran Arts League had planned to be here, but at the last minute they were unable to join us. The Sonoran Arts League brings the arts and art education to veterans free of charge. They are located in Stage Coach Village in Cave Creek, I suggest you checkthem out."
"This is an occasion of anniversaries, of traditions. A function of tradition is a way to pass on the values and morals of one generation to the next. It teaches us where we came from and who we are. As a community we very much value those who have served and sacrificed for us, and the opportunity to thank you. And we very much treasure the opportunity to share those values with young people so that they may carry those values forward."
"Since the Carefree Veterans Day program began, we have lost some dear friends - Col. Blaine Keith, Col. Park Shaw, Col. Gene Rafenelli, Army veteran Carefree Mayor David Schwan, who recited 'Flanders Fields' from this stage 4 years ago, and several others. At the same time, we continue to see many familiar and many new faces and I'm thankful that you have all decided to make the Carefree Veterans Day celebration at tradition in your lives."
"We have a special guest with us today. Submariners are few and far between. To have fellow submariner, Captain Richard Noreika, join me in today's program is an honor and a treat for me. Captain Noreika is a 26-year US Navy submarine veteran and a 22-year Carefree resident. He will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Before we start, I'd like to share Richard's story."
"Captain Noreika is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1959. After nuclear power school and submarine school, he was sent to his first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, USS Patrick Henry, in May 1963. Assignments followed on fast attack submarines Tinosa and Batfish, and a tour on the Nuclear Propulsion ExaminingBoard."
"In August 1974, Captain Noreika was assigned to his first submarine command, the USS Kamehameha, SSBN 642, operating out of Rota, Spain for nearly 4 years. After serving as the Deputy Commander of Submarine Squadron 16, Richard was selected to be the fourth officer to take command of one of the new Trident nuclearballistic submarines under construction, the soon to be commissioned USS Michigan, SSBN 727."
"Shortly thereafter, Admiral Rickover and the Navy reassigned Captain Noreika to take over the Trident Refit Facility, a mini shipyard designed to support up to 9 of the expected Trident submarines. Admiral Rickover was the 'Father of the US Nuclear Navy ', a legend and quite a task master. Throughout Captain Noreika 's career, Admiral Rickover hand picked him, time after time, for billet after billet. In 1983 he was assigned to take over the entire Trident Submarine program. After 26 years, including an unheard of 24 years of sea commands, Captain Noreika retired in 1985. We are honored to have Captain Richard Noreika with us today. The Captain will say a few words."
Captain Noreika noted that this was a very special time for him, to be joining with another submariner. He learned the Pledge of Allegiance in elementary school. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, every morning every child would be instructed by the teacher to stand, place their hand over their heart, and say the Pledge facing the flag. It was not a requirement in his era, but it was a standard practice. Then, the Supreme Court said, "No more. We don't have to make anybody say the Pledge of Allegiance". Where do young people learn it now? Many veteran's organizations teach it, as do the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
He picked up his blind 86 year old brother that morning for church, and while in the car, asked his brother to say the Pledge. His brother couldn't remember the words, but when the Captain started him off with, "I pledge", his brother recited the entire Pledge, which he had learned at age 6 or 7. When Captain Noreika was in school, the students gathered in the auditorium every month and sang patriotic songs. He hoped people would continue to teach the Pledge to children. He then asked the audience to stand and say the Pledge with him, slowly and loudly, thinking about the words as they spoke them.
Lt. Col. Pratt Ashworth and Vice Mayor John Crane
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/301129420
Vice Mayor Crane asked the audience to please remain standing for the singing of our National Anthem by Ashley Walker of Cactus Shadows High School and Rock the District. After Miss Walker sang "The Star Spangled Banner", the Vice Mayor said, "That was wonderful. Please give a special round of applause to Ashley Walker for her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem."
"The Cesar Chavez High School Junior ROTC Color Guard came up from Laveen to be with us today. They did a great job and it is an honor to have them with us today. Their Army instructor is Sgt. First Class Thomas Merrill, U.S. Army, Retired. He started his career as a Marine and then became a U.S. Army Scout. His deployments include Desert Shield/Desert Storm and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Please give these young men and women a big round of applause."
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/301129420
Vice Mayor Crane asked the audience to please remain standing for the singing of our National Anthem by Ashley Walker of Cactus Shadows High School and Rock the District. After Miss Walker sang "The Star Spangled Banner", the Vice Mayor said, "That was wonderful. Please give a special round of applause to Ashley Walker for her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem."
"The Cesar Chavez High School Junior ROTC Color Guard came up from Laveen to be with us today. They did a great job and it is an honor to have them with us today. Their Army instructor is Sgt. First Class Thomas Merrill, U.S. Army, Retired. He started his career as a Marine and then became a U.S. Army Scout. His deployments include Desert Shield/Desert Storm and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Please give these young men and women a big round of applause."
The Cesar Chavez High School Junior ROTC Color Guard
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/301415235
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.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
https://vimeo.com/301415235
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.