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10-24-08 Release: Veterans Day event features governor, group aiding injured soldiers
Oct. 24, 2008
Contact: Jan Horne, Public Information Coordinator, 480-312-2636
Governor, founder of solider aid group are
featured speakers at Scottsdale Veterans Day event
Gov. Janet Napolitano and Howard Lien, founder of the Arizona division of Sentinels of Freedom, will be featured speakers for Scottsdale’s 2008 Veterans Day Commemoration, set at 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, southeast corner of Scottsdale and Indian Bend roads.
The program begins at 3 p.m., when General Dynamics will provide refreshments and the 108th Army National Guard Band will play patriotic music. The program begins at 3:30.
The governor will join several other local officials in Scottsdale’s annual observation of Veterans Day. The event is held each year in front of one of 49 original boxcars in the 1949 French Gratitude Train. The train carried gifts from the French people expressing their thanks to the U.S. for its role in World War II.
The Sentinels is a private, non-profit foundation that provides scholarships and support to members of the armed services who have been seriously injured in the line of duty. Services include rent-free housing, medical assistance, educational opportunities, financial and personal mentoring and career-placement assistance and training.
Lein was prompted to action when the Vietnam conflict ended. He remembers the terrible way returning soldiers were treated, as well as the failed government programs that were founded to help the soldiers recover and return to a productive society.
“The way we treated our soldiers after Vietnam was absolutely one of the low points of American history. I hope that we will never repeat such a travesty, and I intend to do my share to help,” he says.
Other scheduled speakers include Mayor Mary Manross, Arizona National Guard Adjutant General David P. Rataczak, representatives from Scottsdale's congressional delegation and a Scottsdale Unified School District Service Learning student. Other participants include the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, City of Scottsdale Police Explorers and Bugler Gil Gifford.
The event will feature two insights into military history. Gifford will speak about the history of the bugle in the armed forces. Representatives of the Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory-Ladies and Gentlemen of the Regiment also will be present to explain how their organization celebrates the history of African-American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army cavalry divisions during the settlement of the West.
The program is free and open to the public. Call the city at (480) 312-2335 for more information.
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