Carefree Veterans Day Event: 11/11/14


Program organizer Councilman John Crane opened the event honoring our veterans by introducing Carefree resident and icon, Blaine Keith.
 

"We have a special guest who will lead us in the pledge of allegiance.  He started out in an early generation single wing plane and ended up somewhere in space.  Our special guest is Col. Blaine Keith, United States Marine Corps, Retired.  But first I’d like to share Blaine’s amazing story."

 

"Blaine Keith’s flying career began in rural Pennsylvania in 1935 with his Uncle Easy delivering US mail in the Noorsduyn mono-plane his Uncle Easy designed and tested.  He took the controls at 10 and made his first solo flight at 12.  At 17, in 1942, Blaine embarked upon a 38 year career with the US Marine Corps."

 

"Before the year was over, Blaine earned his silver wings and 6 sergeant strips and was flying a Grumman Wildcat aircraft in Guadalcanal for legendary Joe Foss.  In Guadalcanal, Blaine earned his first Bronze Star followed by a Silver Star.  The Silver Star was presented by Admiral William Halsey, Commander of the Pacific Fleet.  Blaine’s World War II career includes not only action in Guadalcanal, but Bougainville, Saipan, Iwo-Jima and Okinawa amongst other Pacific Islands."

 

"After the war Blaine graduated from the War College and returned to combat flying Grumman Panther jets in Korea, earning his Second Bronze star and a Purple Heart."

 

"Korea was followed by several years working undercover for the Marines, North American Aviation, and NASA designing and test piloting aircraft and rocket planes.  During this time, while strapped to an X-1 Rocket, Blaine accidentally became the first American in space.  For this he received the “Silver Astronaut Award”.  Blaine then went on to play an instrumental role in developing the landing systems for the Apollo space program and the Space Shuttle.  As a Senior Test Pilot, Blaine flew the first Boeing 747 flight on which the Space Shuttle was piggy-backed and went on to pilot that 747 three more times and landed the Space Shuttle off the back of the 747 three times."

 

"After 38 years, Blaine retired from the Marine Corps and went on to head The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Western Region.  In about 1990, Blaine and his wife, Martha, moved to Carefree, where he’s been active and a great, contributing citizen in our Town ever since.  We are honored to have with us today, a legend in his own right, Col Blaine Keith."

 

Councilman Crane asked that the audience remain standing for the Presentation of Colors by Cactus Shadows High School (CSHS) students, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Blaine Keith, and the National Anthem played by the Main Event Band and sung by CSHS student vocalists Chance McLaughlin and Kate Reinhart.




Councilman Crane introduced MC Ted Dimon, who took the opportunity to thank the many veterans in the audience for their service to our country.  He also recognized and thanked the Cactus Shadows students who performed the Color Guard.

 

Mr. Dimon then introduced Mayor David Schwan who read the poem "In Flanders Fields".  The Mayor finished by saying that WWI officially ended on November 11, 1918.  In 1926, by an act of Congress, November 11th became Veterans Day.



In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Inspiration for “In Flanders Fields”

Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. (1)

During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.



As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

Barbara Hatch, Executive Director and Founder of the Veteran's Heritage Project once again joined Carefree Veterans Day.  The Project produces a new volume every other year, containing interviews conducted by participating high school students who talk to veterans and record their stories.  In this manner, the students not only learn history in a very personal way, they learn to respect the sacrifices made by those who have served America in the Armed Forces.  The Heritage Project now includes students from Sonoran Trails Middle School, insuring that the program will continue as those students move on to Cactus Shadows High School.

 

Mrs. Hatch explained that The Heritage Project connects students with veterans because the veterans teach lessons about how to live.  They redefine "bad day".  After hearing service stories, the teenagers feel their bad days are not worth mentioning.  The veterans also share stories of their own teen years, perhaps during the Great Depression.  The students relate to the veterans because "they are them".  They learn to appreciate the sacrifices made in order to give them a better life, and to not take those sacrifices for granted.




The Main Event Band played numerous musical selections to  entertain the audience.



Mr. Dimon introduced Sgt. 1st Class (U.S. Army, ret.) Brian Mancini, a veteran of Iraqi Freedom.  An Army medic, he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and multiple badges before being medically discharged after serving 12 years in the military, including 2 tours of duty in Baghdad.  A Phoenix native, Sgt. Mancini is the Founder and Executive Director of Honor House, which provides transitional packages to meet the needs of returning veterans.  Sgt. Mancini thanked Barbara Hatch, the Carefree Council, and the Mayor.  

 

Many in his family have served in the military.  He spoke of the Spirit of America, which he described as the obligation to serve and to tell the next generation about that obligation and the sacrifices it entails.  It is important that returning veterans feel the Spirit of America.  September 11, 2001 changed our lives, and many have answered the call to fight the War on Terrorism.  They raised their right hands and said, "I will give, before I ask for anything."  It is vital that young men and women understand why they need to answer this call.  He thanked the veterans in attendance, asking them to tell their stories to their children and grandchildren.  If the next generations aren't inspired to serve, we will cease to have the freedoms we enjoy today.  

 

Sgt. Mancini was severely wounded in Iraq.  He cited the Spirit of America shown by Home Depot and Shasta Pools, which remodeled his back yard and installed a swimming pool at no charge, none of which he could afford.  He also cited receiving his service dog Romeo, and said the Spirit of America represented by these actions were important examples of private organizations picking up the slack to take care of returning veterans in ways that the government doesn't.
 



 

The next speaker introduced by Mr. Dimon was Col. (U.S. Army, ret.) Gene Rafanelli.  He is a Past President of the Arizona Territorial Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), and a regular speaker at the Carefree Veterans Day event.  In 2013, the Col. was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, and has won many awards.

 

Col. Rafanelli thanked Councilman Crane and Mayor Schwan.  He particularly thanked Barbara Hatch, who has done so much for so many, and her Heritage Project students.

 

The AUSA is over 700 strong and includes the area from Casa Grande to the Utah border, 4/5 of the state.  It serves all components of the Army: the active forces, reservists,  National Guardsmen, and ROTC cadets, as well as veterans and their families.  

 

All the services are undergoing more serious challenges than Col. Rafanelli has seen in his lifetime.  Sequestration has stripped funding for training and equipment, and has strained operational capacities.  The Army is shrinking to its lowest level since pre-WWII.  Soldiers are suffering cutbacks in pay and allowances, while still being asked to fight and possibly die in several ongoing conflicts.  ASUA fights for soldiers both  Washington, D.C, and at the local level.  Membership is free, and he encouraged people in the audience to sign up at the ASUA table.

 

Col. Rafanelli announced the recent passing away of Col. Rance Farrell, the President of 13 regions in 5 southwestern states, including the Arizona Chapter.  Col. Farrell held officer positions in numerous military organizations.  He was a giant in the in the veterans community, a mentor, friend, and advocate for veterans causes.  He died following a tragic surfing accident in Newport Beach, California.  "Rest in peace, my friend."


 

Susan Haines was on hand for the 4th year, representing Packages from Home and Packages for Hope.  Packages from Home is a 501(c)3 organization that enhances the connection to home for veterans serving overseas.  They are currently sending packages containing personal hygiene items, recreational items, and foodstuffs to Afghanistan, and may start shipping to Iraq again as well.  Some bases are now serving only two meals a day, some are serving none and the troops are eating MREs.  Packages from Home shows the troops that America still cares about them.  The program is 100% funded by donations, 87% of which are used directly for sending the packages.

 

With the draw-downs, Packages for Hope was begun as a transitional organization to help returning veterans.  Many have fallen into homelessness.  By sending hygiene packages to the Phoenix Veterans Hospital, it not only encourages veterans to visit the hospital and get needed help, but also tells them, "We still cares about you, that you put your life on the line."

 

The program Arizona Stand-down, which normally takes place in February each year, provides medical and dental services, as well as haircuts and clothing.  It deals mostly with veterans who are homeless or in halfway houses.  Last February, Packages for Hope distributed 1500 packages at the Stand-down event.


 


Mr. Dimon introduced the Keynote Speaker Lt. (U.S. Army, ret.) Ray Maldoon, who fought in Holland, Alsace Lorraine, and Germany during WWII.  Lt. Maldoon thanked the program organizers.

 

He had an email from his niece in Colorado who had just helped a serviceman get back to his base in Texas when he was having trouble with his ATM card in Oklahoma.  While on the phone, she thanked him for his service.  When she said her uncle had served in WWII, he asked her to thank her uncle for his service.

 

Lt. Maldoon said, "Thank you for your service," is a relatively new line, but his generation was also shown appreciation upon returning from war.  He was warmly greeted by family and friends.  The government, through the GI Bill, helped him finish college and get a low interest home mortgage, and the Veterans Administration helped him with speech and hearing problems, for which he is still grateful.

 

He talked about the generosity of the citizens in Europe, remembering how they opened their homes to billet soldiers.  The Lt.'s childhood friend Willy, a glider pilot, was killed and the body was never found.  In 1995, Willy's boots were discovered by a farmer in Holland plowing his field, and the family was notified.  They were asked if they wanted Willy sent home or buried in the Holland/American military cemetery.  The family requested that he be buried there, with his fallen comrades.  Holland was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its liberation, and they invited Willy's family, at the government's expense, to join them and incorporate Willy's funeral into the ceremony.  The U.S. 82nd Airborne Division sent a chaplain, a Color Guard formation, and a choir.  Thousands of local people attended the funeral on a cold, wet, windy day, and many placed bouquets on the grave.  A banner stretched across the street that read, "Thanks to our liberators, the U.S. Army."  Local citizens adopt military graves, visiting and maintaining them.  The farmer who found Willy adopted his grave.

 

Lt. Maldoon recounted his September 29th, 2014 three day Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.  As the WWII soldiers proceeded down the terminal, people at the Phoenix Airport gates applauded all along the way.  The veterans toured the Capital Building, then were taken to the WWII Monument.  There are 4500 gold stars on the monument, each representing 100 dead service people.  Next, they were taken to the Viet Nam War Memorial Wall, which contains the names of all the approximately 5000 service people killed in Viet Nam.  They visited the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, as well as the Arlington Military Cemetery, and witnessed the meticulous and moving Changing of the Guard, which Lt. Maldoon felt was the highlight of the trip.  On the final morning, they were taken to Ft. McHenry. The National Anthem was written when Keyes was a prisoner aboard a British warship, and everyone was waiting to see which flag would be flying over the fort at sunrise, after a night of bombardment.

 

Here is a wonderful link to that story.  Someone sent it to me a while ago, and I saved it for the right time and place.  This seems like it.





The Lt. encouraged other veterans in attendance to fill out the Honor Flight application.  He waited 14 months after submitting his, and said the wait was worth it.  The Honor Flight is now taking WWII veterans first, but will be including Viet Nam veterans soon.  He ended by thanking all veterans and active duty service men and women for their service to our country.






 
The Main Event Band played "God Bless America", after which they played a medley of the themes of the 5 branches of service.  Members of each branch were asked to stand during the playing of their theme.  Blaine Keith, who led the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the program, can be seen standing during the Marine theme, wearing the red suspenders.  (I had trouble finding a parking space because the attendance was unexpectantly high, so I missed showing Blaine leading the Pledge at the beginning.  I love Blaine, so I had to show him somewhere.)


 


 

Mr. Dimon thanked the Town of Carefree and its staff, Blaine Keith, all the speakers, sound man Toby Paine, the Kiwanis Club of Carefree and the Kiwanis Key Club, and Don Morosic's Main Event Band.  He then turned the program back to Councilman John Crane.   

 

Councilman Crane thanked Mr. Dimon.  He wanted everyone to know that several of the Heritage Project volumes were available to be read at Carefree Town Hall, and encouraged everyone to grab a coffee from the Sundial Cafe, cross the street to Town Hall, and read some of the veterans' stories recorded by the Cactus Shadows High School students.  He guaranteed you couldn't read just one.

 

 

The 2014 Carefree Veterans Day program finale was Councilman Crane's explanation and reading of "The Last Post", while Don Morosic played it on his trumpet.

 

"British Army tradition has given us two bugle calls, called the First and Second Post.

 

The first post, done in the morning, marks the start of the inspection of the camp and quarters.  The "Last Post" call or 2nd Post was used in British army camps to signal the end of day, when the duty officer returned from his tour of the camp and quarters. At the end of the day, when he had inspected all the sentry posts around the camp, a call was played at each of them to signify that all was well in the garrison.

 

The Last Post call had another function at the close of a day of battle. It signaled to those who were still outside the garrison walls, either fighting, wounded or separated from their comrades that the fighting was done, and to follow the sound of the call to find safety and rest.

 

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the use of the "Last Post" was carried to the various countries of the British Empire and beyond.  In all these countries, including the United States, it is now incorporated into military funerals, where it is played as a final farewell, symbolizing the fact that the duty of the soldier is over and that they can rest in peace."

 

 

Councilman Crane asked the audience to talk to the people who were hosting the tables along the sides of the Pavilion, and to give veterans in the audience a hug or a handshake before leaving the event.

 



Thanks for your service, Lt. (U.S. Navy, ret.) John Crane.  

 

Lyn Hitchon