November and our Veterans

For Richard Fimbres

Councilmember – Ward 5

Former Governing Board Member – Pima Community College

Proud holder of two AA Degrees from Pima Community College

The month of November is arriving and it is one for me and my office to help thank those who serve and have served our country in the U.S. military.

On Friday, November 9, I will be leading again, a contingent of elected officials and community leaders to go to the Southern Arizona Veterans Hospital (VA Hospital) to present thank you cards and letters made by children in schools across Tucson and Southern Arizona, to veterans at the hospital.

This is something I have done for the past eight years as your Ward 5 Councilmember and currently, Vice Mayor of the City of Tucson.  It instills the value of patriotism and community service to our young people and thanks those men and women for serving this nation.   

This effort has grown from three schools in its first year to more than 40 schools taking part, creating thousands of thank you cards and letters.

On Sunday, November 11, our community and others across our nation will mark Veterans Day, honoring those who served our country in the U.S. military.   

The KC Club, located at 601 S. Tucson Blvd, is holding a Veterans Recognition Event in partnership with other organizations.  This event, on Sunday November 11, from 2 pm to 6 pm, is an event to honor those who have served our country and for the sacrifices they have made.  For more information or to RSVP, before November 2, please call (520) 903-2838.

Our City will be holding its 99th annual Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 12, 11 am.  The parade again will be in the downtown area, starting at West Alameda and Granada and its theme is Celebration of Armistice Day, marking the 100th Anniversary of the ending of World War I.   For more information about the parade, please call the Morgan McDermott Post 7, (520) 622-8703.

 As a 27 ½ year retired Veteran of the U.S. Army, I am proud that sixty-one of my fellow Latino brothers had been honored for their service with the Medal of Honor, the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.  The Latino community has earned the most Medal of Honor’s for their service in the military.

I would like to end this article with the Veterans Prayer:

“Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

“Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

“Today, let us remember all of the veterans that sacrificed so much to keep our country safe. God bless all of our troops and may He watch over them forever.”

Thank you to the families of those who served our nation in the military. To all those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice, God bless you and you are not forgotten.