Fort Huachuca, Arizona -- Members of the local business community honored Cochise County veterans for their service during the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce's annual Military Affairs Committee 'Bring a Vet to Lunch Day" appreciation event held at Fort Huachuca's Thunder Mountain Activity Centre Nov. 4.
"This community is very military oriented and this is an event we wait for every year," said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jim Willig, adding that he has come to this event annually since its inception. "We really appreciate it," he said.
David Garland, retired Air Force, and Bobby Widhalm, retired Army, shared some of their military experiences talking with others at the luncheon about "life [during and] after uniform."
Nine members of the Women's Army Corps Association (WAC), San Pedro Chapter 95, and guests were also among the attendees and reminisced about being members of the WAC.
Members of the Military Intelligence Corps Band Jazz Quintet played as the audience assembled for this year's event which formally began when Miss Sierra Vista, Charity May, sang the national anthem. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Steven A. Maglio gave the invocation.
The luncheon paid tribute to all veterans, and included a traditional cake cutting by the oldest and youngest veterans. Ray Perger, 93, Army, and Pvt. Megan Hughes, 17, Bravo Company, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th MI Brigade, cut the cake in honor of all Service members.
Local businesses and organizations presented donations to the Chaplain's Fund to help defray costs of upcoming chapel holiday programs for Service members and their Families.
During the buffet, Soldiers from the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard served as "battle buddies" for the older veterans and escorted them through the buffet lines, filling their plates, if necessary.
Maj. Gen. Scott Berrier, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, was the guest speaker.
"We certainly have three-war veterans -- to our Vietnam veterans, to our Gulf war veterans and veterans of Afghanistan [as well as to all veterans] -- thanks to each and every one of you for what you have done to make our country safer and for making our community richer," Berrier said
The commanding general also introduced the community to his Family with a slide show featuring snippets of their lives from the time of his marriage proposal to his wife. He showed photos of their grown children and described their accomplishments.
To the seeming delight of the audience, Berrier also described details of his Family's upcoming adoption. Instead of a child, the commander showed a photo of the soon-to-be newest member of the Berrier Family -- a puppy.
In recognition of their accomplishments as veterans within the local community, luncheon organizers introduced Clarence "Shorty" Larson, retired Army, and Michael Maloon, retired Navy, as the local Class of 2015 honorees recently inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.
Fort Huachuca personnel also received awards during the luncheon. Awardees included Fort Huachuca Medical Command (MEDDAC) Soldier of the Year, Spc. Shelby Beal, 68G, patient administration specialist; Fort Huachuca MEDDAC NCO of the Year, Sgt. 1st Class Faith Castro, 68W, health care specialist; and the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade Instructor of the Quarter, 4th quarter, Fiscal Year 15, Staff Sgt. Krystopher Blakely, 35F, intelligence analyst, 305th MI Battalion.
According to Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Mary Tieman, this year's "Bring a Vet to Lunch Day" was well attended, a nice event and packed a full house with 235 attendees, including at least 125 military veterans representing all branches of service. Several area businesses and community members paid to sponsor tickets for entire tables while others bought tickets for individuals or small groups. The SV Chamber of Commerce made tickets available to local veterans groups, and residents of all four area retirement and service homes attended.
"The event really focused on veterans, and we were very pleased with the turnout," she said.
The MAC luncheon is normally held on the first Wednesday of each month to enhance liaison, communications and support between the Sierra Vista Area Chamber and Fort Huachuca, thereby improving the relationship to the local combined civilian and military community. This committee also gives businesses the opportunity to recognize the roles and efforts of the Service men and women on Fort Huachuca, according to the Chamber of Commerce website, www.sierravistachamber.org.
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