OPINION

and completed his medical field service training at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas. From 1953-55, he served as a medical officer at USA Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was honorably discharged as a captain in the Army Reserves in 1955.

Alex moved his wife and two children – soon to be three – to Chicago, where from 1956-58 he was a full-time faculty member of the Chicago Medical School. He practiced medicine in a private practice in the area for close to 50 years while continuing to teach there as an associate professor as well as a voluntary faculty member of Cook County Hospital.

He retired to Scottsdale in the late 1990s, where he has become active in veteran affairs, becoming a member of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. At age 98, he said he remembers his military years with fondness – especially the camaraderie – and often wished he had never left the service.

He is joined in the parade by the following service marshals:

• Army – Barry Rosenblatt

Lt. Col. Barry Rosenblatt began his military career in the Army in 1972. He served in the medical corps where he performed advanced trauma surgery as a dentist, helicopter medical evacuation, and trained others in setting up mash units.

Seven years ago, Barry took painting, welding and photography classes through the Mesa Art League Arizona Art Alliance Program and the Boeing Funded Mesa Art Center Veterans Art Program. These days his art can be viewed at a gallery he shares with his wife, Susan Paige, on Main Street in Mesa.

• Navy – Oakley J Ray

Ensign Oakley J Ray was born in Gilbert in 1920 and is 101 years old. He served in the Navy 194346. He was the payroll officer aboard the USS Estes, the ship upon which he witnessed the raising of the U.S. flag over Hiroshima.

After WWII, Ray returned to Mesa, where he and his wife. Janet Anderson, raised 10 children. He received degrees in both accounting and law from Arizona universities. The Oakleys have 88 grandchildren, 330 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

• Marine Corps – Sam Ingram

Cpl. Sam Ingram enlisted in the Marines in 1961 in Los Angeles, making him a “Hollywood” Marine, and he’s proud of it. As a member of the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, Calif., he boarded a ship for Cuba shortly after the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later, he set sail to the Mediterranean and finally to Vietnam, where he received his discharge.

The VA provided the funds for Sam to complete an accounting degree at Franklin University. He is now retired and resides with his wife in Tempe.

• Air Force – Bob Jeffrey

Col. Robert “Bob” Jeffrey was a top fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and flew critical missions in Vietnam. On Dec. 20, 1965, his F-4 Phantom took a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to eject in enemy territory. He endured 2,611 days in captivity at the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

He commanded numerous aircraft both in his military and civilian careers. His military decorations include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V device and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with palm, POW Medal, and many others.

• Coast Guard – Jason Roberts

Chief Petty Officer Jason Roberts served with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army before transitioning to the Florida National Guard, law enforcement, and eventually enlisting with the U.S. Coast Guard. He was one of the initial first responders on scene after the destruction of southern Louisiana during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He is credited with saving the lives of more than 75 people during these round-the-clock operations. Roberts earned degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona State University. He retired from active military service in 2018 after a combined 27-year career and continues to serve his community in ministry with Rock Point Church.

PARADE SPONSORS

Parade units in the past have carried special tributes to fallen warriors.

(Special to the Tribune)

The East Valley Veterans Parade is supported by:

• Signarama-Chandler • 960 The Patriot

Premium Sponsors

• Arizona Dept. of Veterans Services • East Valley Tribune

Stars & Stripes Sponsors

• Albertsons-Safeway • Downtown Mesa Association • Geico of Mesa • Larry H Miller Ford • MD Helicopter • Mesa Community College • Mesa Hohokams • SRP

Patriot Sponsors

• Copa Health • Gateway Bank • Mesa Secure Storage • Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club • Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport • Virginia Berg • Visit Mesa

Special thanks for the support of the City of Mesa.

Aviation foundation again part of parade

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation will be showing off a restored gunship as part of the East Valley Veterans Day Parade.

The foundation was formed in 1997, with the Southwest Chapter beginning in 2014.

Its goal is to educate people about the role of Army aviation, especially during the Vietnam War. In the process, they are able to help veterans as they continue to struggle to adjust to civilian life.

AAHF also impacts young people directly through a partnership with the East Valley Institute of Technology.

The group will display its completely restored 1966 UH-1M helicopter gunship in this year’s parade. This combat veteran served three tours in Vietnam in several The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Southwest Chapter will present a restored helicopter gunship during the parade. (Special to the Tribune)

units, amassing a total of 2,419 combat flight hours. It was shot down five times, each time repaired and returned to combat duties. AAHF volunteers spent several thousand hours restoring the aircraft to its original condition. It is mounted on a specially designed trailer, making possible its participation in the parade.

“We do this out of love. Love for our country, love of these marvelous flying machines, love of our fellow veterans and love of the inquiring minds of our youngsters whose eyes shine so brightly as they climb into the pilot’s or gunner’s position,” said lifelong AAHF member Bob Warner.

“We watch veterans approach our aircraft, some with love, some with trepidation, some with the familiarity of an old friend,” Warner said. “The Huey helicopter was the icon of the Vietnam War. Its name, shape and distinctive sound are forever etched into the minds of those who served in Vietnam. We do this to preserve those memories and to do all we can to ensure that their legacy is not forgotten.” ■

People can help place wreaths on veterans’ graves

Parade planners need money, volunteers

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Mountain View Cemetery is participating in the Wreaths Across America campaign, an effort to raise enough donations so that a wreath is placed on every veteran’s grave. Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, is home to 3,000 veterans graves and so far 1,900 graves will be adorned with Christmas wreaths, according to its website. At 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18, the cemetery will host a wreath-laying ceremony and volunteers are welcome.

The Wreaths Across America effort at Mountain View is supported by the Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation, American Legion Family Apache Post 27, VFW Post 7968 and Auxiliary, MOPH Chapter 2560 Apache Junction, Apache Junction High School NJROTC, Vietnam Veterans of America East Valley Chapter 1011, American Ex-Prisoners of War East Valley Chapter and Boy Scout Troop 777. The tradition started in 1992 in Maine when a family that owned a tree farm had a surplus of Christmas wreaths and donated the extras to the Arlington National Cemetery to put on its graves.

And over the years, that thoughtful act blossomed into a nationwide movement in which anyone can honor deceased veterans by contributing to local organizations that place wreaths on their graves.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Maine family that started this tradition got an eager reception to their proposal.

“Several volunteers stepped up to help, including veterans from American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and a truck company owner who transported the wreaths to Arlington, Virginia, where a small ceremony was held at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” according to department.

This remained a small yearly tradition for nearly 15 years until a photo taken at the 2005 ceremony went viral.

“Almost immediately, thousands of people wanted to know how to help or how they could begin a similar tradition in their states,” the Defense Department said. By 2008, it had become a traditional at dozens of cemeteries across the country and has continued to grow, with more than 2.2 million graves across the country now decorated with a wreath at more than 2,100 cemeteries.

People can help by making a donation at wreathsacrossamerica.org/AZ0184P.

An individual wreath costs $15. ■

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

The East Valley Veterans Parade Association, which is responsible for planning and executing the annual community event, needs your help.

The costs associated with the parade continue to rise, organizers said, and they are looking for donations to support the continuation of the East Valley Veterans Parade at evvp.org.

Businesses interested in sponsoring next year’s parade can find information at that same website.

“Community support is vital for future parades to honor, remember and thank our veterans, active military and their families,” organizers said.

The Parade Association also needs volunteers willing to join the 2022 planning committee. There are a variety of planning areas that need new leadership. Email parade@evvp.org to learn more.

The East Valley Veterans Parade has a storied past.

When the annual Mesa Veterans Parade fell victim to necessary budget cuts in 2006, local residents Gerry Walker and Frank “Gunny” Alger spoke out on behalf of the 40-year-old Mesa tradition.

“There will be a Veterans Day parade if it is only me marching down the street with Frank watching,” Walker declared.

The Marine Corps League Saguaro Chapter in Mesa took the lead and the Mesa Veterans Parade Association was formed. In 2013, the all-volunteer organization changed its name to the East Valley Veterans Parade Association to reflect the participation of parade entrants and sponsors from most East Valley communities.