VOICE OF DEMOCRACY 2007

by Alen Edwards 

            The weather was a bit snappy outside, but inside Phoenix Post-720 it was all camaraderie as members, friends and families gathered for the 2007 Voice of Democracy Banquet. Department Vice Commander Betty Gripp served as emcee with special dignitaries VFW National Director of Membership Robert Crieder and Auxiliary PNP Lorraine Frier. The State Color Guard opened the festivities with their impressive performance and served as escorts for dignitaries and students. A local JROTC contingent served a delicious roast beef dinner, and a poet read her poems dedicated to American military and the students. This was one of those really “feel-good” events; at the end everyone departed, with reluctance, and with smiles on their faces.
            This year’s ceremony was attended by all nine District VOD winners and two of the three top Patriots-Pen winners. In addition to certificates and mementos, the VOD 1st place winner was awarded $3,000; 2nd place $1,500; 3rd place $750; 4th place $500 and the remaining 5th place winners received $200 each. The Patriots-Pen 1st place winner received $1,000; 2nd place $500; and 3rd place $200.
            Arizona is traditionally blessed with a strong field of Patriot-Pen and VOD candidates, and this year was no exception, as the judges had a really difficult time selecting ‘winners’. Patriot-Pen honorees are Taylor Montoya, sponsored by Post-9400; India Parsons, sponsored by Post-40; and, Allison M. Rydberg, sponsored by Post-2364. VOD honorees by district are: District-1 Lynda A. Brown, Cibola HS at Yuma, sponsored by Post-8242; District-2 Lydia M. Taranto, Home Schooled at Williams, sponsored by Post-1709; District-3 Tahira Hussaini, Cortez HS at Phoenix, sponsored by Post 1433; District-4 Cathryn L. Murphy, Mountain Ridge HS at Glendale, sponsored by Post-3632; District-5 Amanda R. Neiman, Flowing Wells HS at Tucson, sponsored by Post-10008; District-6 and Department Winner Kyle W. Thompson, Blue Ridge HS at Lakeside, sponsored by Post-2364; District-7 Caitlyn Harrison, Tombstone HS, sponsored by Post-10342; district-8 Katherine S. Mieding, Home Schooled at Bullhead City, sponsored by Post-10005; and, District-10 Grant K. Hadley, Hamilton HS at Chandler, sponsored by Post-8053.