Paula Pedene

Merchant Marines and US Coast Guard logo side by side

US Coast Guard and Merchant Marine can serve during wartime efforts.

As we continue focusing on the importance of military core values, we will turn to two institutions called to serve during wartime. The Merchant Marine transports domestic and international cargo and passengers during peacetime. It operates and maintains deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, dredges, excursion vessels, charter boats, and other waterborne craft on the …

US Coast Guard and Merchant Marine can serve during wartime efforts. Read More »

photo of US Space Force Cadets in front of the American Flag

Highlighting the values of the U.S. Space Force

As we continue focusing on the importance of military core values, this week, we will turn to the youngest service, the U.S. Space Force (USSF). Established on December 10, 2019, the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that space is a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by strategic competitors in space, …

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Person sharing the USAF core values from a book.

Highlighting the values of the National Guard and U.S. Air Force

In writing my column on military values, I suggested the Army was the oldest branch. However, I received a correction from Chief Warrant Officer 5 (retired) John Vitt, the President of the Arizona National Guard Foundation, Inc. He pointed out the Army National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. Armed Forces and serves …

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photo of a Joint Service Color Guard Unit

Upholding values is a vital service component of the military and veterans.

As we begin the new year, I thought reflecting on some of the values our military service members and veterans hold dear to their hearts might be helpful. These values are engrained in us as we begin our military duties as either officers or enlisted. Values are the common thread that binds military and veterans …

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A crisis line worker sits in front of several computer screens ready to assist a caller.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Marks One-Year Anniversary with Increasing Call Volume

As Arizona’s primary 988 provider, Tempe-based Solari Crisis & Human Services continues its outreach across the state, particularly on vulnerable communities such as veterans, the indigenous, black, and LGBTQ+ populations. Since the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline a year ago, there have been more than 63,000 calls in Arizona alone, exemplifying the …

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Basha High School Student and 2022 Essay Competition Winner Ryann Terrell rides aboard the Hall of Flame Fire Truck in the 2022 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.

The HAV essay competition theme is Never Forget, Forever Honor.

Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV), the nonprofit organization that organizes the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade is now accepting High School essays for this year’s competition. There are some great cash prizes on the line for both the students who submit the top entries for each grade level and their teachers. The essay competition and the Phoenix …

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Cheralynn Beaudry signs the book in honor of her MIA father Albert Tiffany at the 2019 book reception.

Local nonprofit’s after-school program connects veterans with students.

It’s back-to-school time, and for many students, there is a local after-school storytelling program that partners students with veterans. The non-profit Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) will celebrate its 20th year of Connecting Students with Veterans. (trademark symbol here, please) The program develops students’ leadership, confidence, character, and 21st-century skills while honoring veterans’ service and preserving …

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Joint Services Color Guard

Chrysalis Aims to improve veterans’ job readiness.

Thanks to a special grant under Prop 202, Chrysalis Veterans Services, Inc. can now provide immediate financial assistance to cover the necessities and more to help veterans increase their likelihood of success. “Meaningful and sustainable employment is a significant factor in creating and maintaining housing stability which, in turn, is a crucial component of job …

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A Whistleblower’s Advice, keep the faith in difficult times. 

By Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA I’m in good company as we commemorate National Whistleblower Day on July 30. After all, two Navy Sailors, Samuel Shaw, a Revolutionary War naval officer, and Richard Marven, a midshipman, were the first whistleblowers in 1776. Shaw, a midshipman, and Marven, a third lieutenant in the Continental Navy, …

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Photo of wreaths in front of the Korean War Veterans Monument in Washington DC

Korean War Veterans will gather for camaraderie on Sat. July 27

On July 27, many Korean War Veterans paused momentarily to remember the Korean War Armistice Day. After all, it is a national day of recognition to commemorate the more than 35,000 U.S. Service members who lost their lives during the Korean War. The war began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean People’s Army …

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