Military & Veteran Affairs Committee (MVAC)

MILITARY & VETERANS

AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE PURPOSE

The Military & Veterans Affairs Committee (MVAC) is dedicated to assisting the Glendale Chamber with current and future committee programs and events. It also helps to create a strong relationship between the local business community and military units in the community.

COMMITTEE'S PRIORITY PROJECTS

Military Appreciation Ceremony
Luke Golf Tournament

Military Transition Support Program

Thunderbird Mountain Flag Program

Luke Air Force Base Newcomers Orientation


PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY COMMITTEE

LEARN MORE & JOIN MVAC

For more information on how to get involved in the
​Military & Veterans Affairs Committee contact Aubrie Herman at
623-937-4754.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Aubrie Herman

Chamber Liaison

Ed Logan

Committee Chair

Air Force Association - Frank Luke 

Chapter

Maria Brunner

Committee Co-Chair

Credit Union West

 Marci Aguayo

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

Isabel Booth

Dignity Health

Doug Caldwell

Homes for Heroes 

Bill Pennington

Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter 1260

Laura Roman

Homes for Heroes

Kathy Lowery Gallowitz

Vangaurd Veteran

Chaplain Stephen Gardener

Hospice of the Valley

Jennifer High 

University of Phoenix 

George T. Hernandez, III

Legal Shield


Jamie Aldama

Maj. Carlos Franco

Luke Air Force Base

Matt McDonald

Silent Service 3D Printing

Mik Milem

Soldier's Best Friend


Timothy "Beavers" Palmer

Veterans IV Veterans Motorcycle Association 

Brandi Paucek

Bison Ventures, Informed Mortgage Lending

Nic Magallanes

Price Mortgage

Teri "E-Bunny" Chapa

Veterans IV Veterans Motorcycle Association

Larry Santor

Retired

Olga Tucker

Packages From Home 

Erica Huerta

HomeSmart

Anne Schoolcraft

Quail Run Behavioral Health

Kelly Nastos

USO

Yolanda Pinero Arquette

Luke Air Force Base

Carl Alvarez

First Command Financial Services

Billy Lewis

Luke Air Force Base

MILITARY APPRECIATION

CEREMONY


Our service men and women dedicate their lives to serving our country, but many of them go above the call of duty and become the backbone of our local communities. ​


The Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee will recognize these incredible service men and women in November at the Military Appreciation Ceremony.


LEARN MORE >
MILITARY APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

LUKE GOLF OUTING


Every April, the Glendale Chamber hosts the Luke Golf Outing at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. Many MVAC members volunteer at the event and companies sponsor veteran players to join their foursome. It is a fun day for the business community to give back to service members with a portion of the proceeds donated to the committee.

THUNDERBIRD FLAG ​RAISING CEREMONY

MILITARY TRANSITION SUPPORT PROGRAM


The purpose of this program is to connect Glendale Chamber members with transitioning service members, Veterans, and/or military spouses to: 

  • Familiarize them with civilian career options.
  • Provide informal mentorship, friendship, and encouragement.
  • Educate them about differences of civilian vs. military culture.


Service members/Veterans attends Business After Hours (typically the 3rd Thursday of each month) and are introduced to a MVAC committee member. They shares their top three career interests with the committee member and are introduced to a chamber member from a similar business. Members are encouraged to offer informal mentoring and a short-term job shadow experience.


View our full events calendar here and email storres@glendaleazchamber.org to RSVP.

LEARN MORE >

Are you a transitioning Servicemember, Veteran, or Military Spouses trying to find your career match in the civilian workforce?

Click here for more resources.


THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN FLAG ​PROJECT


In 2018, the Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee and over 1200 community members rallied together to participate in a human chain to carry (hand-over-hand) the flag to the newly installed flag pole at Arrowhead Point. Now, the flag is permanently displayed as a point of pride for residents and visitors alike.


The Chamber's MVAC is tasked with caring for the flag. Committee members and community volunteers make sure the flag gets replaced when it has been damaged by strong winds and is raised and lowered to half staff at the appropriate times.

LEARN MORE >
THUNDERBIRD FLAG ​RAISING CEREMONY

LUKE AFB NEWCOMERS ORIENTATION


Once a month, MVAC members volunteer their time to attend Luke AFB's Newcomer Orientation. We welcome the new service members to Arizona, provide them with a swag bag with useful community information, and answer any questions they may have about the area.

FLAG REPURPOSING &  RETIREMENT PROGRAM

FLAG REPURPOSING & RETIREMENT PROGRAM


The MVAC, in partnership with Veterans IV Veterans Motorcycle Association, has worked hard to establish itself as Glendale's premier flag sanctuary and has become a collection point taking in U.S. Flags needing retirement within the state. Once collected, the flags are properly retired in our custom built incinerator and laid to rest in an ossuary at Dignity Memorial's Resthaven cemetery.

If you, or someone you know, has flags that need to be retired, please contact Merlin with Veterans IV Veterans at (801)718-3960.

LEARN MORE >
FLAG REPURPOSING &  RETIREMENT PROGRAM

MILITARY DISCOUNTS

Does your business offer a special discount or preferred rate

for active military or veterans?


If so, let Robert Heidt know, and we will feature you below.
*Please note that offers/discount may be discontinued at any time by the partner company.


Park West

VIP Pass - Click here for full list of discounts.


Bravo Productions 

All active-duty military members will receive 10% off on all projects.


Key Management Co., Inc. 

No application fees for credit checks to any active military member. 

Sands Chevrolet 

Chevrolet offers a special Military Discount Pricing for active, reserve and retired military personnel, including discharged veterans within one year of discharge date who purchase or lease a new vehicle from Sands Chevrolet. The program provides for a special discounted price, (varies by vehicle type), which combined with the discounted doc fee of $75, amounts to a discount ranging from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars off! This is in addition to any other factory rebates that the customer and vehicle may qualify for.​

Visiting Angels 

Is an in network provider with the VA and proudly serves our veterans.


Arizona Life Chiropractic Center

To show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our Vet's, we offer $5 off all adjustments (12% discount). Dr. Cathcart will work toward fixing the reason for the pain instead of covering it up! Call us to get started! Arizona Life Chiropractic Center: 602.242.7537, ArizonaLifeChiropractic.com, 4150 W. Peoria Ave, Suite 134, Phoenix, AZ 85029


Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

Receive a 20% discount if anyone in your family ahs served in the military.

Ed Besta

A MESSAGE FROM THE MVAC CHAIR


As a 30-year resident of Glendale and a retired US Air Force Officer, it has been a real pleasure to be an MVAC member for many years. The Committee has supported many veterans and active-duty units. In particular, we hold an annual award event honoring Valley active-duty military members who have gone beyond their jobs by doing community service, which is near and dear to the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. As of 2023, I am now serving as MVAC Chairman and expect to continue our commitment to our Arizona Veteran Community.
Edward C “Ed” Logan
Lt Col USAF (Ret)
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2020
Frank Luke Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
Board member of Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV)
Vice Chairman Credit Union West Board of Directors

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