The HeroZona Foundation Announces Additional Events in Support of Veterans

Events Including Veterans Day Parade, Forgotten Heroes Appreciation Breakfast, Salute to Service Football Game

The HeroZona Foundation’s week-long engagement for America’s veterans, including Arizona’s 640,000 veterans and 2,000 veteran owned companies, is excited to announce the invitation-only 7th annual HeroZona Foundation Forgotten Heroes Appreciation Breakfast, hosted by the Sons of the American Legion and spearheaded by Post 65 S.A.L. Commander, Dennis E. Prince Sr. The breakfast will occur on Saturday, November 10 at the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 in Phoenix. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“The HeroZona Foundation is excited to honor those who have served our country and their family members. We hope to empower and celebrate Arizona’s veterans at the breakfast,” says HeroZona Foundation founder and U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell.

Special guests will include Arizona U.S. Congressman from the 7th District, Ruben Gallego; Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and U.S. Air Force Colonel, Wanda A. Wright (R); President and CEO of the HeroZona Foundation and U.S. Air Force Veteran, Ronnie R. Willliams; State of Arizona District 27 Representative, Reginald Bolding Jr.; and National Legislative Director of the American Legion, U.S. Army Veteran and Scottsdale Native, Matthew J. Shuman. Shuman will also be a VIP guest at this year’s Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.

District 27 Representative Reginald Bolding Jr. will also be busing in forgotten heroes from across the Valley for the breakfast. Bolding recently passed the House Bill 2575, which allows any veteran in Arizona to receive a free ID. IDs normally cost $25.

“Our veterans spent their lives serving the people in this country and it is incumbent upon us to now serve our veterans. The driver’s license bill is one way to do that,” says Bolding.

The breakfast will also have care packages donated by Diana Gregory Outreach Services, the Veggies for Veterans Program will be donating 100 packages of fresh vegetables. Additionally, United Healthcare will be donating 100 clothing bundles and Shoebox Ministry will donate 100 toiletry packages.

“Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65’s participation in the Veteran’s Day Parade perpetuates the thanks we give to veterans. Hosting the HeroZona Foundation Forgotten Heroes Appreciation Breakfast is an honor for the Post,” Says American Legion Post 65 Commander, Jarvis Reddick.

Following the HeroZona Foundation’s Forgotten Heroes Breakfast on Saturday, November 10, the ASU VS. UCLA Salute to Service Football Game will honor eight APS HeroPreneur Community Heroes for their exceptional support of U.S. veterans. On-field recognition will be given to these exceptional Arizonans by Arizona Public Service, the HeroZona Foundation and the Department of Veterans Services.

“With 20% of our 6300 employees being military veterans, APS understands the clear value veterans bring to the workforce,” says retired U.S. Navy rear admiral Hal Pittman, APS Director of External Communications. “We’re pleased to be able to recognize these individuals and their superb efforts in supporting all veterans across Arizona, just as we’re pleased to again partner with Herozona in supporting our vets during this year’s Heropreneur summit.”

Individuals to be honored at the game include Joe Foss Institute Chairwoman, Karrin Taylor Robson; T he American Legion’s National Legislative Director and U.S. Army Veteran, Matthew J. Shuman; Arizona’s 27th District State Representative, Reginald Bolding Jr.;United Services Automobile Association’s AVP of HR Operations for the Regional Offices, Gay Meyer; President of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council and Col. U.S. Air Force (R), Sam Young; Southwest Veterans Foundation & Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director and Col. U.S. Marine Corps (R), Tom Sheets; U.S. Vets Phoenix Executive Director, Michelle Jameson; and Stara Technologies Corporation’s Financial Analysis Director, Mark Rome.

The Honoring Arizona’s Veterans Phoenix Veterans Day Parade will be another opportunity to show support to Arizona’s veterans for the 100th Anniversary of Veterans Day. The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade is the 4th largest Veterans Parade in attendance in the United States. Out of respect to local church services, the 2018 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade will be held the day after Veterans Day, on Monday, November 12 at 11 a.m. The parade starts at Montebello and Central Avenues running southbound and then will turn east onto Camelback Road, South on Seventh Street and will de-stage at Indian School Road.

“To me, the importance of the event is way it helps our veterans. There’s something special about the honor and recognition they receive from the parade that helps them heal and that helps them transition back to their civilian life, which is really important to our community,” says Phoenix Veterans Day Parade Coordinator, Paula Pedene.

The HeroZona Foundation’s HeroPreneur three day summit will then return to Phoenix from November 14 through November 16 to empower veterans through entrepreneurship, education, and careers. It is spearheaded by HeroZona and Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, in conjunction with State of Arizona, City of Phoenix and Arizona Corporate Council, and Arizona Public Service will be a presenting sponsor. l. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will also attend the HeroPreneur summit, hosting workshops for large companies, small veteran owned businesses and veterans interested in contracting government and earning certification.

For more information about the HeroZona Foundation, visit hnvbs.com and herozona.org.

About HeroZona Foundation
The HeroZona Foundation has a strong focus on veteran initiatives and honoring those who have served our country and their family members. The nonprofit’s name reflects that messaging to focus on empowering and celebrating America’s veterans. Their upcoming event, HeroPreneur is a week-long Veterans Day engagement that has three pillars which empower Arizona’s veterans through entrepreneurship, education and employment. HeroZona‘s Annual Heropreneur National Veteran Business Summit has created a multi-day networking experience to improve America’s support of veteran companies through workshops, networking, entrepreneurial connections, and seminars; culminated by various entertainment events including the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, HeroZona Honor Walk, Phoenix Sun’s NBA basketball game and other entertainment activities. For more information visit hnvbs.com, heropreneur.com or herozona.org.