Flag Day Event

ADC Celebrates its Men and Women Who Wear “Two Uniforms”

August 7, 2008

The Arizona Department of Corrections honored its co-workers who selflessly serve our country and our state.  On June 19, the Department hosted a luncheon at the Arizona National Guard Armory in Phoenix to celebrate the dedicated service of 90 ADC staff who are deployed today and 78 more on standby awaiting orders.  They stand tall with over 2,300 ADC employees who are veterans. It is estimated that about one half of all veterans employed by the state are Department of Corrections employees.  This is the fifth year that the ADC has celebrated Flag Day with an event to pay homage to our exceptional correctional professionals for their extraordinary service and sacrifices that keep us safe.

Special guest speakers included Arizona Representatives Ben R. Miranda and John Kavanagh, Arizona Army National Guard Major General David P. Rataczak, Director of Arizona Department of Veterans Services Brigadier General Richard Gregg Maxon and ADC Employee Assistance Coordinator James Gierke, who paid tributes to the men and women who wear two uniforms.

ADC Director Dora Schriro introduced the “Tours of Duty” award, recognizing three ADC staff, each of them been deployed many times. The first Tours of Duty Award recipients are Sergeant Lee Tsosie, ASPC-Florence/East Unit, Lt. Michael Gregory, ASPC-Tucson/Santa Rita Unit, and CO II Nicholas Riddle, ASPC-Perryville/Santa Rosa Unit. 

During Sgt. Tsosie’s 29 years of military service, he has participated in 12 tours of duty. Sergeant Tsosie has also served the Arizona Department of Corrections with distinction for 13 years

Lieutenant Michael Gregory, a 23-year ADC veteran, has had an extraordinary military career spanning 26 years, during which time during which time he completed seven military tours of duty.  

CO II Nicholas Riddle joined the ADC two years ago.  He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2002 and today proudly holds the rank of sergeant.  Officer Riddle, who has completed six military tours of duty, was unable to attend the ceremony to receive his award because he is currently on assignment overseas.

Flag Day event on June 19th was held to honor correctional officers and their families

Perryville’s Desert Rose Café Catering provided a festive lunch of BBQ chicken & pork, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, drinks, and cake

Perryville’s Desert Rose Café Catering provided a festive lunch of BBQ chicken & pork, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, drinks, and cake

Perryville’s Desert Rose Café Catering provided a festive lunch of BBQ chicken & pork, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, drinks, and cake

Perryville’s Desert Rose Café Catering provided a festive lunch of BBQ chicken & pork, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, drinks, and cake

Children enjoyed a special treat, a coloring book created for the event

Cary Pfeffer emceed the event

Director Dora Schriro presented the opening remarks

Director Dora Schriro presented the opening remarks

Sgt K Murphy, Tucson sings the National Anthem while COII R Powel, Tucson Honor Guard, salutes the flag during posting of colors opening ceremony

Kenneth Herman, ASPC-Lewis, offered the invocation

Guest speaker, Arizona District 16 Representative Ben R Miranda

Guest speaker, Arizona District 98 Representative John Kavanagh

Major General David P Rataczak

Director of Veteran’s Services Richard Gregg Maxon

James Gierke, Military Support Liaison President

Perryville Warden Schroeder & COII Perron accept “Tour of Duty” award for COII Nicholas Riddle, currently on assigmment overseas

Sgt Lee Tsosie, ASPC-Florence and his wife, Mercedes hold his “Tour of Duty” award

COII Maureen Gregory, ASPC-Tucson and her husband, Lt Michael Gregory after receiving his “Tour of Duty” award

Director Schriro presented special pins to correctional officers who are also veterans

Director Schriro presented special pins to correctional officers who are also veterans

Director Schriro presented special pins to correctional officers who are also veterans

Director Schriro presented special pins to correctional officers who are also veterans

The Military Liaison Committee who attended the Flag Day event

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Flag Day event on June 19th was held to honor correctional officers and their families