Jenny is a graduate of Saguaro High School and the University of Arizona. In 1999, she was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and began what is now a 20-year career in Marine Corps Aviation. She has served in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Japan. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College and served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of Investigations. In July 2024, she assumed command of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where she serves today. She lives with her 3 sons in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area.

*Col. Colegate was nominated by her parents Ronald and Jean.

Gerald served for 26 years in the United States Army, primarily as a research and development officer. Among his notable duties, Gerald was part of developing and fielding the M1 Abrams main battle tank. He spent 17 years at the Pentagon. His final assignment was with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition.

Gregg served in the Marines during Operation Desert Storm. During his 5-year enlistment, he was deployed across multiple regions.

*Gregg was nominated by his wife, Katie.

After graduating from boot camp in 1961 in San Diego, Bob was deployed to Company G, 1st Marine Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. There, he was assigned as the BAR man — Browning Automatic Rifle — as well as driver and bodyguard for the battalion commander, and later assistant to the brigade chaplain. After leaving the Marine Corps with the rank of corporal, Bob eventually made his way to Scottsdale in 1971 where he started as the city’s parks superintendent. His city career was broad and impactful, including management of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, developing Scottsdale Ranch Park and the Paiute Neighborhood Center, and helping acquire the first parcels of land for Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. After retiring from the city in 1997, Bob continues serving his community on boards and nonprofit organizations. He also served for a decade as Scottsdale’s Poet Laureate.

*Bob was nominated by his work colleague and friend Kathryn Dwyer.

Andy joined the Army ROTC program when he enrolled at Arizona State University in the 1970s. After receiving his commission, he served in the Army as a nuclear weapons and artillery officer. He was stationed in the Netherlands and Colorado.

*Andy was nominated by his spouse Carolyn Gilb.

Anna enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2003 where she served as a knowledge operations manager and personnelist. After earning her BA in construction science from Texas A&M University, she was selected for a commission in aircraft maintenance. She deployed twice to the Middle East serving as a squadron detachment commander and maintenance squadron director of operations. She currently serves as the 165th Airlift Wing aircraft maintenance squadron commander.

*Anna was nominated by her co-worker Seth Pines.

Ed entered the Army 80 years ago as a teenager during World War II, training in Fort Bragg, N.C.; Camp Robinson, Ark.; and completing paratroop training in Georgia. He served in the parachute infantry for two and a half years. He was assigned to the 13th Infantry Division, followed by the 82nd Airborne Division. Ed is 98 years old.

*He was nominated by his daughter Jennifer Grossi.

Peter is described as “an extraordinary member of the U.S. Air Force” and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. He flew fighter jets during the Vietnam War and is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours and 191 combat missions in Southeast Asia. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

*Peter was nominated by his granddaughter Holly Hayes.

Gerald served two tours in Korea – during one of those, he was listed as MIA because he had gone into enemy territory for two weeks to search for a fallen comrade. Gerald found his man, who was wounded, and carried him back to safety, including one night when Chinese soldiers stepped over the foxhole where he and his wounded buddy were hiding. Gerald earned 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and other medals. He continued serving in the National Guard until 1972. At 94 years old, Gerald still golfs and shoots.

*Gerald was nominated by his son Gerry Johnson.

Larry is a Vietnam veteran who reached the rank of captain and served as an Army intelligence officer and Chinese linguist. He earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

*Larry was nominated by his wife Sandra.

After graduating from West Point in 1964, Frank joined the Infantry branch of the U.S. Army. Following an assignment in Germany, he went to Vietnam in July 1967. In January 1968 he took command of Company D, 5th/7th Cav, 1st Air Cav Division. His company command coincided with the Tet Offensive. Frank’s company saw significant combat culminating on April 25th when the patrol he led was ambushed and he was wounded. Awards include a Silver Star, Soldier’s Medal, three Bronze Stars with “V,” Air Medal, two Purple Hearts, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is also an Airborne Ranger. He shares his story to honor fellow soldiers and earned the Imprints of Honor Storyteller award in 2022.

*Frank was nominated by his friend and admirer, Kelly Corsette.

Ruben enlisted in the Army and deployed to Vietnam. He worked as a bunker guard and tower guard stationed in Phuoc Vinh under the 25th Cavalry running an ammunition supply point. He extended his service for another tour at Vung Tao and served as a machine gunner while guarding ships from explosives.

*Ruben was nominated by his daughter-in-law Ariana Flores.

Peter primarily served as an aviation technician. His service included a deployment to the Middle East, where he earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

*Peter was nominated by his sister Elizabeth Rodriguez.

Steve was a Communications Specialist in the Navy assigned to the Commander, Amphibious Squadron Four, where he deployed to the Mediterranean, anchored just outside Beirut as the Lebanese Civil War raged.

*Steve was nominated by his best friend and Marine Corps veteran James Griffin.

Roland served in the United States Army for more than 20 years, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. He was stationed in Europe among other locations, including a recruiting assignment that brought him to Scottsdale.

*Roland was nominated by his son Roland Ochoa.

Michael served as a Specialist and an anti-tank team leader within the 75th Ranger Regiment. During his service as an airborne infantryman, he deployed twice to Afghanistan and competed in the 2017 Best Ranger Competition.

*Michael was nominated by his best friend and former co-worker Gina Hildebrand.

Saul served primarily as a Watercraft Engineer. He deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism and earned awards including the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. He reached the rank of staff sergeant.

*Saul was nominated by his spouse Elisha Ramirez.

David served in the Marine Corps where he excelled in the field of Communications and Electronics, including a deployment with a Navy Carrier Battle Group conducting peacekeeping operations in over a dozen countries.

*David was nominated by his wife Courtney Fisher.

Hector joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves, becoming the third generation in his family to serve. He graduated boot camp with honors and finished first in his AFSC class — the first airman to do so directly from boot camp in more than 15 years. He was later stationed at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

*Hector was nominated by his friend Ioan Oprisiu.

Joseph served multiple deployments during his 11 years in the Navy, serving as an aircrewman mechanical first class and reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served in Japan, Italy, Djibouti, Kuwait, Greece, El Salvador and the Philippines.

*Joseph was nominated by his cousin Melissa Assaf.

Ryan was an A-10 pilot in the Air Force for 12 years, with deployments in Korea and the Middle East.

*Ryan was nominated by his fiancée Lauren Yglecias.

Charlie joined the Army in 1959 and served as a missile-man during the Cold War. He was selected for the honor cordon at President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration. After service he moved to Scottsdale, served on City Council from 1974 to 1984, and was known as “Scottsdale’s go-to guy” for decades.

Connor served as a Hull Technician aboard the USS Nitze, a guided-missile destroyer, including a deployment to the Persian Gulf. He was medically retired in January 2022. He now serves with the Scottsdale Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic.

*Connor was nominated by his mother Janet.

After basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, Bob served at Fort Ord in California and at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco before assignment to the Arizona National Guard, where he completed his service in the Valley.

*Bob was nominated by his widow Marsha Usdane.

Johnny was stationed aboard the destroyer USS John Young as an Engineman and deployed twice to the Pacific.

*Johnny was nominated by his wife Janet Walker.

Sierra is a “strong woman” who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2019–2023. She now works at the Stone Rose Law Firm representing veterans and protecting their military rights and benefits.

*Sierra was nominated by her co-worker and friend Lesley Propp.

Ian served as a Geospatial Imagery Intelligence Analyst. After training at Fort Huachuca, he served primarily at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, with deployments to Yongsan, South Korea, and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

*He was nominated by his friend Holly Peralta.

During World War II, Edward served two years in the South Pacific as a combat engineer, including time on Guadalcanal and in the Philippine Islands.

*He was nominated by his sons Gregory and Steve.

Chris served as a Military Police Officer in Yuma, Arizona, and as a Marine Security Guard with assignments in Liberia and Korea. He participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005 as a government contractor. Today, he serves as an Assistant Chief with the Scottsdale Police Department.

*He was nominated by fellow veteran and friend, Kelly Corsette.

Robert held multiple ranks and billets including Military Police Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander, and Inspector General. He was deployed overseas on three occasions and ended his service with the rank of Colonel.

*He was nominated by a fellow veteran and friend Will Arritt.

Brian was a highly decorated Air Force F-16 pilot who received the Top Gun award. Following the 9/11 attacks, he was assigned to protect the airspace over the White House. He was later deployed to Iraq and served as a training pilot. He still serves as an active reservist and is a Patron for the Scottsdale Charros.

*Brian was nominated by Paul Baker with whom he serves on the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

Gregory was drafted in 1972 and attended Engineering School, then worked as a draftsman. His clearance was upgraded to secret and he worked in an underground communication center near Camp David. He reenlisted after the Vietnam War, attended X-ray school, and spent the rest of his career in hospitals with tours at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in Frankfurt, Germany, where he also played American football for the Frankfurt Lyons. He later joined the reserves and served as training NCO for the 348th Transportation Company in Arizona. He is a retired City of Scottsdale employee.

*He was nominated by his former supervisor, Eliana Hayes.