ADC float wins 1st place in 13th annual Veterans Day parade

 

December 11, 2009

The Arizona Department of Corrections entry in the 2009 Veterans Day Parade won 1st place/government entry from the Veterans Affairs Administration. The theme of this year’s parade, “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave” inspired the construction of the ADC float, “Courage Remembered,” a rendition of the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C.

While the real memorial took hundreds of tons of bronze and several years to construct, the ADC float was designed and built on a much smaller scale and budget. This year, the Department of Corrections was proud to partner with Arizona State Credit Union, whose financial support made this year’s float entry possible. Arizona State Credit Union is honored to serve hardworking employees of the State of Arizona and salutes our veterans. ICC II Virginia Strankman at Central Office and Work Based Education Construction-Technology Instructor Ray Hixon at ASPC-Lewis/Barchey Unit came up with the this year’s concept and the float was built by Lewis inmates in about five days.

On Nov. 11 CO II Wilson Barnes, CO III Michelle Hanley, RN Shawn Brittain, CO II Douglas Johnson, Sgt. Jay A. Darby and CO II Robin Cronin, CO III Albert Freudenthal, CO II Andres Perez and Lt. Rodrick Williams, wearing the military uniform of the branch of service they honored, joined ADC Director Charles L. Ryan and Retired Lt. Col. Joe Smith, of the Arizona State Credit Union Board of Directors, on the float during the parade. CO II Larry Brown was also on the float, entertaining the crowd with his powerful renditions of America the Beautiful, The National Anthem and other patriotic songs, which could be heard along the parade route.

The Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Parade began in 1997 with 50 entries and approximately 10,000 people on the streets. Now, there are over 100 entries and more than 200,000 spectators that line the streets to watch the parade.

 

 

Work Based Education Construction-Technology Instructor Ray Hixon and some of the inmates at ASPC-Lewis/Barchey Unit who helped construct the float

Sgt. Carlos Torres, ASPC-Lewis/Barchey Unit and Internal Communications Coordinator II Virginia Strankman with the float in the early morning hours before the parade began

Arizona State Credit Union Board Member and retired Army Lt. Colonel Joseph Smith, CO III Albert Freudenthal, CO II Wilson Barnes and CO III Michelle Hanley

Sgt. Jay A. Darby, RN Shawn Brittain, CO II Douglas Johnson, CO II Robin Cronin, CO II Andres Perez, Lt. Rodrick Williams and CO II Larry Brown

From left, back row: CO II Wilson Barnes, CO III Michelle Hanley, RN Shawn Brittain, CO II Douglas Johnson, Sgt. Jay A. Darby and CO II Robin Cronin. From left, Front Row: Sgt. Carlos Torres, CO II David Vallas, CO II Robert Powell, Arizona State Credit Union Board Member and retired Army Lt. Colonel Joseph Smith, CO II Larry Brown, CO III Albert Freudenthal, CO II Andres Perez, Director Charles L. Ryan, Lt. Rodrick Williams and ICC II Virginia Strankman

Arizona State Credit Union Board Member Joseph Smith, Director Charles L. Ryan and Sgt. Carlos Torres hold the 1st place awards for the ADC entry in the 2009 VA Veterans Day Parade

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