Area veterans, their families and community members are invited to attend the 6th annual Graham and Greenlee Serving Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Safford Armory on US 191.
The presentation of Gold & Blue Star Banners to honor families with active duty members or those who died while serving will be presented at noon followed by a commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion. Valley youth interested in military service and career options can meet with US Army and Arizona National Guard recruiters. Representatives from Women Warriors will be at the 2019 Veterans Resource Fair to offer emotional support and identify programs to help veterans in their civilian lives.
Representatives from the Phoenix VA Regional Office and the Southern AZ VA Health Care System will offer valuable advice regarding VA benefits and all aspects of health care (physical, behavioral, dental, long term & crisis). Social Security & Medicare questions and concerns will be addressed. The VA Vet Center Mobile Unit provides a comfortable setting to assist veterans and their families.
Attendees seeking employment can visit with HR representatives from FMI, AZ Dept. Of Corrections, HDS Trucking, AZ @ Work, AZ DES and others. Vocational rehabilitation, career and education counselors from EAC will be present along with legal aid, pastoral care, VA, HUD, conventional housing and mortgage lending experts.
Additional services include: voter information & registration by Graham County, free vision screening by the Safford Lions Club, dental care by Toothbudds, hospice and long term care as well as a Women Warriors representative. Congressman Tom O’Halleran will have a constituent services aide at the fair.
An important part of a veteran’s family is their pet. Again this year Veterans Resource Fair attendees will receive pet services from: The Empty Food Bowl Pet Pantry providing free pet food and pet care devices; rabies vaccination from Desert Cross Veterinary of Safford; pet license vouchers from the City Of Safford; and Desert Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Of Arizona will offer reduced price spay and neuter vouchers.
Early attendees can enjoy free coffee and donuts. A free BBQ lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and complimentary soft drinks will be served throughout the day.
This year’s major fair sponsors include the American Legion and their auxiliaries, Arizona @ Work and the Arizona VA.
About Blue & Gold Star Banners
During the Veterans Resource Fair at the Safford Armory on Saturday, April 27th, Blue & Gold Star families will be honored and presented a banner. Those wishing to receive a banner should contact Lisa Lane of the Graham Greenlee Serving Veterans Organization at 928-432-6933 by Friday morning, April 26th.
It’s an American tradition to display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces defending the U.S. and its allies, whether stateside or deployed throughout the world.
Blue & Gold Star Banners were embraced and displayed by families throughout the nation during World War I. This tradition waned during the Korean and Vietnam wars but the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks rekindled the spirit of national pride in our country and led to a resurgence of displaying the blue and gold star banners.
Neighbors and community members should know of those who give and have given so much for liberty. The Blue Star Service Banner in the front window of the home is a reminder to friends and the neighborhood that a relative is an active service member. The Gold Star Banner identifies those families whose soldier gave the ultimate sacrifice – their life.
During the Veterans Resource Fair additional banners for extended family members can be ordered at their cost. All veterans and their families from Peridot to Duncan and Morenci to Bonita are encouraged to attend this event from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27th at the Safford Armory on US 191.
