AVTT Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall comes to Quartzsite

Quartzsite, AZ - The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Traveling Wall travels to Desert Gardens Show Grounds to coincide with the events of The GRAND Gathering in Quartzsite.

The AVTT Traveling Wall will arrive in Quartzsite on Wednesday, March 5th. Public viewing of the wall will be available 24 hours a day after the initial set-up on the morning of Thursday, March 6th through the afternoon on Sunday, March 9th.

At 360 feet in length, the AVTT Wall is the largest traveling replica of the original Vietnam Memorial Wall located in Washington, D.C. It is an 80 percent scale reproduction which stands eight feet tall at its apex and does not leave out a single name featured on the original memorial wall.

Also on display will be: wall informational panels, Vietnam War Time line Panels, Vietnam era military equipment and uniforms displayed by Gunny’s Military Museum of Quartzsite, military vehicles, souvenirs, and computer terminals to look up specific names on the wall.

Representatives from The Veteran’s Administration will be present to help Veterans with MYHEALTH and assisting with sign-ups for Veteran’s Benefits.

The wall will be formally escorted to Quartzsite.  Anyone desiring to be part of the escort should plan to be at the Rest Area on eastbound I-10, at mile marker 4, at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2014.  The escort will arrive in Quartzsite at exit at Exit 17 and proceed north on Quartzsite Blvd., then head east on Main Street, turn south on Riggles and travel west on Kuehn to Desert Gardens Show Grounds. People are encouraged to line the streets and welcome the Wall as it proceeds through Quartzsite beginning about 3:30pm Wednesday.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2014.  VFW Commanders, and Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster will speak; The Bouse Elementary School 5th & 6th graders will present the History of the United States Flag.  At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, VFW Commanders will speak, and Tony Borelli, Member District 5 House of Representatives is planning to speak at 9:45 a.m.

At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2014, closing ceremonies will take place.

The AVTT Traveling Wall is FREE, and parking is Free.  Donations received at the Wall will go to The USO Wounded Warrior Organization to assist Veterans and their families with recovery.
   
Plan to bring your family to The Grand Gathering and The Military Tribute, March 6-9, 2014 in Quartzsite, Arizona.

For the full weekend schedule of events, visit the website www.TheGrandGathering.com.

Quartzsite resident Tom Cunningham honored at Veteran's concert

Quartzsite First Assembly of God held their annual Veteran's Tribute 

with Linda Lanier Friday night, Jan. 19, 2013.

Quartzsite resident Tom Cunningham 

was honored with the receipt of the American flag. 

Color Guard conducted the Flag Folding Ceremony as 

Pastor Bruce Swart read the Air Force Script of the meaning of the twelve folds. 

Tom spoke to the audience with tears of gratitude and praise for his God.

Tom and his wife, JoAnn, are very active in the community, 

volunteering for the church and other organizations. 

Below: Tom's brother, Carl, lost his life while serving in Vietnam War

The annual tribute to Veterans and Active/Past Members of 

Military, Police, Fire, Paramedics was an emotional event 

as Linda Lanier shared her passion for the 

brave men and women who serve our nation

with moving songs and stories. 

The evening ended with veterans being thanked for their service by attendees 

with lots of hugs and handshakes. The church members provided service and flag pins to the veterans.

So. Arizona: Seeking Veteran Advisory Council advocates

Grijalva Seeking Applications for

Veteran Advisory Council –

Group Will Advocate for Veterans

and Advise the Congressman on Issues

Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva is seeking applications for a Veteran Advisory Council he intends to establish later this summer. The Council will advise the Congressman on veterans issues and serve as a liaison with the Southern Arizona veterans community.

“The veterans in Southern Arizona deserves the best representation and constituent service I can offer, and I look forward to working with the Council to make sure their needs are always being met,” Grijalva said. “This group will represent a diverse cross section of the district because the entire veteran community needs to be heard. I thank those who apply for their interest and their service, and I’m excited to get started as soon as possible.”

Eligible participants should live in the Seventh Congressional District and be a veteran or veteran spouse or a representative of a veterans organization. Interested candidates should submit a resumé, completed application form, and two letters of recommendation by June 24 to Jose Miranda in Rep. Grijalva’s office located at:
738 N 5th Ave. Suite 110
Tucson, Ariz. 85705

Jose’s e-mail address is jose.miranda@mail.house.gov,
or you can reach him at the Tucson office at (520) 622-6788.

The application form is available by clicking this link or visiting
 http://grijalva.house.gov/uploads/Veterans%20Council%20Application.doc.