Stand Up for Veterans

Glendale Stand Up for Veterans - An all day event- Sept. 28

By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Glendale Mayor Weiers hosted the event on September to help military veteran adjust to civilian life. Veterans could find financial, legal, medical assistance and referrals during the day long event on Saturday.

"Many of our veterans have additional needs beyond just finding employment," said Weiers. "So, this event will provide them with various on-site services as well as inform veterans and their families on the benefits and services that are available to them in the areas of education, legal assistance and community resources.

"The goal of Stand up for Veterans is to help address any challenges veterans may have before they become insurmountable."

The idea behind Stand Up for Veterans was to help veterans in Glendale and the West Valley better become acclimated to civilian life after their military careers were over.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2251.

An army, pun intended, was ready early Saturday morning to help assist veterans at the daylong Stand Up for Veterans event on the Glendale Community College Campus. Not pictured is Scott Schulz, Dean of Career and Technical Education, Glendale Community College. His work in organizing the Stand Up for Veterans event was acknowledged by Dr. Irene Kava, during the open ceremony. Dean Schulz attributes, in part, the large number of veteran attending Glendale Community College being to Luke Air Force Base. He also said, I think this should be an annual event. If you build it, they will come."

Glendale Mayor Weiers said in his opening remarks that "we have the chance to make someone’s life better today". Mayor Weiers and Glendale Community College President Irene Kovala both said they would like to see the Stand Up for Veterans event become an annual event. Mayor Weiers hopes other cities will host similar events.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2265.

Scott and Gregory Kozakiewicz with Dr. Irene Kovala, President of Glendale Community College at Stand Up of Veterans on Saturday, September 28, 2013.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2265.

Gregory Kozakiewicz with Dr. Irene Kovala, President of Glendale Community College at Stand Up of Veterans on Saturday, September 28, 2013.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2286.

Glendale Community College President, Dr. Irene Kovala, Stand Up for Veterans President, speaking and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, looking on.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2289.

Stand Up for Veterans Director, Justin Henry, Glendale Community College President, Dr. Irene Kovala, Stand Up for Veterans President and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, and President and founder of American Academy for Constitutional Education, Shane Krauser participated in the opening remarks for the Stand Up for Veterans event Saturday, September 28, 2013. The daylong event was held on the campus of Glendale Community College.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2293.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2295.

Linda Adkins Perez is registering her husband an Army veteran at the Stand Up for Veterans Program on Saturday, September 28, 2013.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2311.

Jason Frentheil, Human Resources Supervisor for UPS talks to Jerrett Lampley (Air Force) about employment with UPS. UPS has openings for loaders and unloaders and other positions. They are hiring for the holidays. Lampley would like to work for Staples or maybe Fed Ex representative at the Jobs Fair.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2329.

Steve Borton, owner/operator of Arrowhead Barber Shop in Peoria. Nickolas Papageorgiou a free haircut. A good haircut is one of the necessities needed to make a good impression. Free haircuts were offered Saturday as part of the Stand Up for Veterans event Saturday at Glendale Community College.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2339.

Dayna Mathews helps Robin Youngblood (Navy) work on his résumé.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2351.

Russell Morris (Navy) <middle> just got hired by IPSA and starts work on Monday.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2355.

Jennifer Liddy and Doug Mills, Director of Security at IPSA Security Services just hired Russell Morris (Navy). IPSA Security was ready Saturday to fill 30 positions. Doug Mills, a veteran, thinks veterans are "shelf ready". Their military training and work ethic are two things that IPSA is looking for in an employee. Veterans he said know about working as a team and see the bigger picture.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2320.

Ted Vogt, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director takes the time to chat with Carl Davis. Davis just had his hair cut by Steve Borton owner/operator Arrowhead Barber Shop in Peoria.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.2326.

Ted Vogt, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.2346.

Brooke Smith is working with Army veteran Matthew Johnson at the Rojo Hospitality Group table on Saturday, September 28. While Matthew Johnson was working on his application, two other veterans were being interviewed. Rojo Hospitality was able to run background checks, interview and hire on Saturday.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2377.

Two veterans view the Huey which is part of Light Horse Legacy (LHL). The LHL mission statement in part reads, "Light Horse Legacy Inc. is a benevolent educational Non-Profit Corporation designed to encourage the treatment and healing of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) suffered U.S. combat Veterans of all conflict. In a manner of speaking, they are home but were left behind." David Barton said the hanger at the Glendale Airport is, "open to any vet to sit and talk".

The 1962 UH-1B is 3rd production D model and was built by Bell Helicopter; convert to H model in the late 1960’s and last served in the California Army National Guard, Los Alamitos. CA.

The Huey is part of the Huey Project, Department of Defense (DOD) Partners 50 Year Vietnam Commemorative Celebration 2015-2017. The Light Horse Legacy group would like to have the gunship ready to fly to Washington D.C. in 2015 for the celebration. More information on Light Horse Legacy Inc. is available on the web at http://members.lighthorselegacy.org/.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2383.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2383.

"Standing Guard"　

Bette. Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.v001.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2362.

Val Speltz, Outreach Manager for Heroes to Hometowns helps returning veterans to adjust from military life to civilian life. Her organization assists wounded heroes to life back home. Some veterans returning home face different types of battles when they return home.

Some of the on-site services available were from more than 45 organizations include:

* Glendale and West Valley employers conducted job interviews and, potentially, hire veterans on the spot. Trained volunteers and computers were also be available to help veterans prepare resumes and submit job applications.

* GCC representatives provided information on educational opportunities, including the 44 degree and 65 certificate programs the community college offers.

* The Phoenix Veterans Affairs Office, which is held its annual "Welcome Home" program in conjunction with the event, will provide important information and guidance on accessing health care and other benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Staff was available to assist veterans in applying for these benefits.

* Free lunch for veterans and their families.

* Free haircuts.

* The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division assisted veterans with obtaining temporary driver’s licenses and photo identification cards.

* The Arizona Department of Veterans Services and numerous other organizations provided information on benefits and local social services available to veterans and their families as well as helped veterans with any other unique needs they may have.　

* The Glendale City Court and other nearby courts addressed any outstanding legal issues with veterans. Also, community service opportunities will be available to provide eligible veterans the chance to work on a community service project in lieu of paying fines.

MORE PHOTOS-

DOWNTOWN GLENDALE AND CATILN COURT GO PINK!

By Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Business storefronts are being decorated to enter the "Glendale Goes Pink" contest by end of day Sept. 29th. Susan G. Komen will be photographing participating businesses on October 1st. All photographs will be displayed on a SGK Glendale Goes Pink web page. Links to this page will be sent to you so that you can distribute to all your friends, family, & customers and encourage them to vote for your business.

Downtown Glendale merchants participating in the inaugural Go Pink program!
Please stop by and thank these merchants for their participation and donate to the
store with the decorations you like best!

Beginning October 1 you can vote online. Stay tuned...

Participating Downtown Glendale Merchants:

2 Share Foundation/Gifts
Bears & More
Bitzee Mama's Restaurant
Cerreta Candy Co.
Cottage Garden I & II
Delfina's Salon
Drawn to Comics
Glendale Flowers
Glendale Visitor Center
GFWC Glendale Women's Club
It's Vintage Charm
Nana G's Antique Treasures
Papa Eds Ice Cream
Pink House Boutique
Ropin' the West
Scents and Scents-Abilities
Shelley's Desserts
The Astrology Store
The Country Maiden
The Open Door
The Spicery in Our 1895 Home
Vintage Green Old Town Treasures
Zola Bell's Vintage Emporium