Hospital Banquet Fall Conference

Article and Photos/Slideshows by Alan Edwards
 

October 6 was a glorious day in Tucson, as Comrades, Sisters and distinguished guests gathered at VFW Post-549 for the 2007 Fall Conference and 2nd Annual Ray Shock Memorial Hospital Banquet. The Conference was held in the morning and the Banquet in the evening. The Councils of Administration met early on Sunday morning.

            The Conference was stuffed with useful information, with presentations by Legislative Chair Sally Smalley and Youth Activities Chair Chrissy Harlan. Highlight of the conference was a presentation by Karen Hauca about the Certified Emergency Response Team Training program.

            The Hospital Banquet was a grand affair, with Arizona Department Judge Advocate Dennis Dole serving as emcee extraordinaire. Distinguished guests included: National VFW Membership Director Robert Crider; Council 15 Representative (and Past Arizona Department President) Judy Hamlin. Also in attendance were California Jr Vice CinC 2008-09 Richard Eubank; Past California Department Commander Bob Maxwell; Jr Vice CinC 2012 candidate John Stroud and Arizona’s Past CinC and Department Commander Bob Curio. This banquet is designed to honor outstanding employees and volunteers who take care of our veterans. The 2007 Arizona honorees are:

Bonnie Alapeck, Southern Arizona VAHCS Employee of the Year

Dan Schwab, Southern Arizona VAHCS Volunteer of the Year

Carmine Iosue, Carl T. Hayden VAHCS Volunteer of the Year (and member of VFW-8053, Sun Lakes); and

Luella Untz, Northern Arizona VAHCS Volunteer of the Year (and member of VFW-10227, Prescott Valley)

Arizona’s Department Honor Guard, led by Shorty Larsen performed their signature opening ceremony at all events, and helped serve dinner with AFROTC cadets from the University of Arizona. Workshops were held by both VFW and Auxiliary. This was a great time for socializing and was enjoyed by all.

Slideshow Hospital Banquet

Youth Activities Chair Chrissy Harlan gives a presentation at the 2007 Fall Conference. On the left is Auxiliary-8053 and National Home Chair Sandra Iosue; on the right is Auxiliary Department Guard and Patriotic Art / Voice of Democracy Chair Dona Dole.

Southern Arizona VAHCS “Employee of the Year” Bonnie Alapeck receives her plaque from Department Commander Betty Gripp and Department President Debi Rankin. In the background is Department Surgeon L ‘Corky’ Gripp with Department Judge Advocate and event emcee Dennis Dole.

Southern Arizona VA “Volunteer of the Year” Dan Schwab receives his plaque from Department Commander Betty Gripp and Department President Debi Rankin.

Northern Arizona VAHCS “Volunteer of the Year” (and member of VFW-8053 Sun Lakes) Carmine Iosue receives his plaque from Department Commander Betty Gripp and Department President Debi Rankin. In the background is VFW Department Judge Advocate and event emcee Dennis Dole.

Pictured are some of the distinguished VFW and Auxiliary Officers that attended Arizona’s 2007 Fall Conference and Hospital Banquet at Tucson VFW-549 (L-R): Arizona Department Commander Betty Gripp; Arizona Auxiliary Department President Debi Rankin; with VFW Council 15 Representative, and Past Arizona Department President, Judy Hamlin.

Pictured are some of the honored guests that attended the VFW 2007 Hospital Banquet at VFW-549 in Tucson.

Pictured are some of the honored guests that attended the VFW 2007 Hospital Banquet at VFW-549 in Tucson.

Pictured are some of the honored guests that attended the VFW 2007 Hospital Banquet at VFW-549 in Tucson.

Some VFW members take a time-out for relaxation from proceedings of the 2007 Arizona Fall Conference (L-R): Department Commander Betty Gripp; Past Department Commander Don Maynard; Past Department Commander Darrel Moore; and State Inspector Donna Holloway. In the background is Linda Reagan with Past Department Commander Ray Thomas.