It’s a sendoff salute to 58 graduating Tempe Union High School seniors at the 2nd Annual Tempe Community Salutes on Monday, May 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. The ceremony will recognize them, and 8 non-students, before they join the ranks of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, and the Arizona Army National Guard.
The recruits will take the stage to be greeted by Mayor Mark Mitchell, Lt. General Vern “Rusty” Findley, USAF, Ret.; and Colonel Wanda Wright, USAF, Ret., Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, and the applause of family and friends. Each recruit will receive a challenge coin – a small medallion bearing the insignias of the U.S. military branches with the message, “The First to Say Thank You.” Additionally, the seniors will be draped with special neck stoles – ones imprinted with their chosen military branch, which they also can wear to their high school graduation ceremonies.
Some patriotic drama will be inserted into the ceremony by a John Wayne impersonator portraying the character Sgt. Stryker from the movie “The Sands of Iwo Jima.” Actor Ermal Williamson will recite a version of the poem “Why Do You March, My Son?” customized to the various military branches.
“We’re thrilled to host a ceremony that recognizes young community members and their families for their commitment to national service. We look forward to keeping in touch through our Hometown Tempe program,” said Army veteran and Tempe Councilmember Robin Arredondo-Savage. Tempe Hometown Tempe news can be found at www.tempe.gov/military.
Tempe Community Salutes is modeled after the program promoted by the national Our Community Salutes organization to recognize and honor high school seniors who plan to enlist into the military immediately following high school graduation.
Joining the city of Tempe are event title sponsor APS along with supporting sponsors the Association of the United States Army, and Gorman & Co.