MILITARY & VETERANS
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE PURPOSE
The Military & Veterans Affairs Committee (MVAC) is dedicated to assisting the Glendale Chamber with current and future committee programs and events. It also helps to create a strong relationship between the local business community and military units in the community.
COMMITTEE'S PRIORITY PROJECTS
Military Appreciation Ceremony
Luke Golf Tournament
Military Transition Support Program
Thunderbird Mountain Flag Program
Luke Air Force Base Newcomers Orientation
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY COMMITTEE
For more information on how to get involved in the
Military & Veterans Affairs Committee contact Aubrie Herman at
623-937-4754.
Military Appreciation Month Donations
In honor of National Military Appreciation Month this May, our Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (MVAC) proudly donated $1,000 each to three military-focused non-profits. We understand the importance of supporting our local servicemembers, and one way we do this is by contributing to dedicated organizations that tirelessly work to care for our military members.
The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) is a Veterans' Service Organization representing the professional and personal interests of its members. AFSA is one of the few military associations able to lobby and provide face-to-face representation with our Nation's Congressional and Military Leaders on Capitol Hill, and within the DoD and VA. The chapters provide professional development, opportunities for community involvement and a strong sense of fraternalism. They also coordinate a 24-hour run to honor POW/MIA service members every September on Luke Air Force Base.
Packages From Home collects donated items and postage funds from generous, patriotic citizens and businesses who live throughout America. These items include non-perishable food, personal toiletries, and recreational items such as games, sporting equipment, books, music, movies, video game consoles, and more. The packages are then mailed to deployed, U.S. servicemen and women whose names and addresses have been securely submitted via our website by caring friends and family.
Rising 6 focuses on personal and professional development for members of the 944th Reserves unit on Luke Air Force Base.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ed Logan
Committee Chair
Air Force Association - Frank Luke
Chapter
Maria Brunner
Committee Co-Chair
Credit Union West
Marci Aguayo
Global Credit Union
Isabel Booth
Dignity Health
Anne Schoolcraft
Quail Run Behavioral Health
Bill Pennington
Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter 1260
Laura Roman
Homes for Heroes
Kathy Lowery Gallowitz
Vangaurd Veteran
Chaplain Stephen Gardener
Hospice of the Valley
Leslie Olson
Glendale Community College
Carl Alvarez
First Command Financial Services
Larry Santor
Retired
Mario Roman
Roman Realty Group
Matt McDonald
Silent Service 3D Printing
Mik Milem
Soldier's Best Friend
Billy Lewis
Luke Air Force Base
Brandi Paucek
Bison Ventures, Informed Mortgage Lending
Ron Kidder
Properly Managed, LLC.
MSgt Jeffrey P. Szymanski
Luke Air Force Base
MILITARY APPRECIATION
CEREMONY
Our service men and women dedicate their lives to serving our country, but many of them go above the call of duty and become the backbone of our local communities.
The Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee will recognize these incredible service men and women in November at the Military Appreciation Ceremony.
LUKE GOLF OUTING
Every April, the Glendale Chamber hosts the Luke Golf Outing at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. Many MVAC members volunteer at the event and companies sponsor veteran players to join their foursome. It is a fun day for the business community to give back to service members with a portion of the proceeds donated to the committee.
MILITARY TRANSITION SUPPORT PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to connect Glendale Chamber members with transitioning service members, Veterans, and/or military spouses to:
- Familiarize them with civilian career options.
- Provide informal mentorship, friendship, and encouragement.
- Educate them about differences of civilian vs. military culture.
Service members/Veterans attend Business After Hours (typically the 3rd Thursday of each month) and are introduced to a Military & Veterans Affairs Committee member. They share their top three career interests with the committee member and are also introduced to a chamber member from a similar business. Members are encouraged to offer informal mentoring and a short-term job shadow experience.
View our full events calendar
here and email
storres@glendaleazchamber.org
to RSVP.
Are you a transitioning Servicemember, Veteran, or Military Spouses trying to find your career match in the civilian workforce?
Click here for more resources.
THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN FLAG PROJECT
In 2018, the Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee and over 1200 community members rallied together to participate in a human chain to carry (hand-over-hand) the flag to the newly installed flag pole at Arrowhead Point. Now, the flag is permanently displayed as a point of pride for residents and visitors alike.
The Chamber's MVAC is tasked with caring for the flag. Committee members and community volunteers make sure the flag gets replaced when it has been damaged by strong winds and is raised and lowered to half staff at the appropriate times.
LUKE AFB NEWCOMERS ORIENTATION
Once a month, MVAC members volunteer their time to attend Luke AFB's Newcomer Orientation. We welcome the new service members to Arizona, provide them with a swag bag with useful community information, and answer any questions they may have about the area.
FLAG REPURPOSING & RETIREMENT PROGRAM
The MVAC, in partnership with Veterans IV Veterans Motorcycle Association, has worked hard to establish itself as Glendale's premier flag sanctuary and has become a collection point taking in U.S. Flags needing retirement within the state. Once collected, the flags are properly retired in our custom built incinerator and laid to rest in an ossuary at Dignity Memorial's Resthaven cemetery.
If you, or someone you know, has flags that need to be retired, please contact Merlin with Veterans IV Veterans at (801)718-3960.
MILITARY DISCOUNTS
Does your business offer a special discount or preferred rate
for active military or veterans?
If so, let us know, and we will feature you below.
*Please note that offers/discount may be discontinued at any time by the partner company.
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT PHOENIX WEST/TOLLESON
Book your corporate rate for Exclusive Active Military & Veterans Discount here.
Park West
VIP Pass - Click here for full list of discounts.
All active-duty military members will receive 10% off on all projects.
No application fees for credit checks to any active military member.
Sands Chevrolet
Chevrolet offers a special Military Discount Pricing for active, reserve and retired military personnel, including discharged veterans within one year of discharge date who purchase or lease a new vehicle from Sands Chevrolet. The program provides for a special discounted price, (varies by vehicle type), which combined with the discounted doc fee of $75, amounts to a discount ranging from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars off! This is in addition to any other factory rebates that the customer and vehicle may qualify for.
Visiting Angels
Is an in network provider with the VA and proudly serves our veterans.
Arizona Life Chiropractic Center
To show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our Vet's, we offer $5 off all adjustments (12% discount). Dr. Cathcart will work toward fixing the reason for the pain instead of covering it up! Call us to get started! Arizona Life Chiropractic Center: 602.242.7537, ArizonaLifeChiropractic.com, 4150 W. Peoria Ave, Suite 134, Phoenix, AZ 85029
Semper Fi Heating & Cooling
Receive a 20% discount if anyone in your family ahs served in the military.
Resource Library
Do you want to learn more about the amazing work our community is doing for our local military members?
Click the links below to review some of the briefings our committee has received.
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services
A MESSAGE FROM THE MVAC CHAIR
Mailing Address:
Glendale Chamber of Commerce
9524 W. Camelback Road
Suite C-130-242
Glendale, AZ 85305
Physical Address:
Glendale Chamber of Commerce
10550 W. Mariposa Street
Suite 1
Phoenix, AZ 85037
(Located within the Pendergast Community Center)
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