PHOENIX

Veterans Voice: Battle of Midway remembered in program

Arthur G. Sloane
Special for The Republic | azcentral.com
Arthur G. Sloane

Veterans, military, and the public are invited to a free military history program at 11

a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Macayo's Mexican Kitchen Restaurant, 4001 N. Central Ave in Phoenix.

A 20-minute video of "The Battle Of Midway" will be shown at 11:15 a.m.. Social time and $17 light lunch orders will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon, and the free program starts at 12:30 p.m.

The program is "Adrenaline, Excitement and Fear" with World War II Naval Flight Engineer Jack Holder's Pearl Harbor to Battle of Midway story. Holder is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Carol Culbertson, 602-934-7834 or claudehc@yahoo.com. by Sunday, May 24.

• The persons in charge of the first Agent Orange Town Hall want to thank those who attended in May. More town halls are being planned throughout the state.

• You are invited to the U.S. Vets client graduation for persons who have gone from homelessness through the programs to get them trained and back into society. This is a special occasion and a way to honor these veterans for taking multiple classes.

The graduation ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. June 4 at the Hyatt Regency, Phoenix Ballroom. 122 N. Second St. in Phoenix. It will be followed by a banquet at 7:30 p.m. with keynote speaker Col. Wanda Wright, Retired, the director of the Arizona Department of Veteran Services.

Individual seats are $50 or you may make a donation as a Platinum Sponsor for 10 seats at $2,000 with priority seating and more. Gold seating is 10 seats with other benefits.

Contact Shari Lassitor 602-677-6214 or send a check to United States Veterans Initiative, 804-E. Jones Ave., Phoenix 85040.

• Sen. John McCain and Rep. Krysten Sinema will hold a Veterans Resource Clinic from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 27 at Arcadia High school, 4703 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix.

• Memorial Day observances are at 8 a.m. May 25 at the National Cemetery on Cave Creek Road in Phoenix.

The Field Cross Memorial is located inside the visitor center at the cemetery. How this came about is that Mary L. Rahm had a vision that she introduced to her son-in-law Larry R. Browne, a decorated Marine who served three tours in Vietnam.

Funds were raised for the purchase and the placement of a bronze sculpture called the "Field Cross Memorial," and after many delays the all the necessary approvals were received.

It was dedicated Sept. 22, 2001, not only as a monument to those who were lost in Vietnam, but also as a symbol of the American Spirit. Many thousands will visit on Memorial Day.

• The Community Resource and Referral Center of Veterans Affairs, located to help homeless veterans at 230 S. 12th Ave in Phoenix, is in need of many items such as underwear, socks and all types of men's and women's clothing. They are also in need of personal hygiene items for both men and women.

They would also like gift cards for veteran clients.

Information on contributions 480-399-4467. Also, as the summer is upon us, water is always needed.

Reach retired Master Chief Petty Officer Arthur G. Sloane, Coast Guard, at 480-802-6810 or artgbeard@aol.com.