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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022
First Fridays with veterans and veteran supporters BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
W
ith the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and the ensuing lockdowns, restrictions and isolation, a local group wanted to maintain a sense of community. Born from a simple idea between three people who wanted to provide a gathering space for veterans, First Friday with Veterans and Veteran Supporters kicked off in October 2020. Now almost a year and a half later, the monthly event is still going strong — and while the gathering is small, it continues to allow the community and opportunity to stick together. “Paul Fredericks, who is the direct support services with White Rose Hospice, contacted me about other veterans’ things going on and had a great idea about gathering the veterans of the greater Anthem area together and just giving them an opportunity to have con-
versations and build friendships,” said Tonya Piatt of Youth for Troops. “We discussed that and brought it to Palmcroft Church, and Pastor Randy Williams thought it was a wonderful idea. I’m a member and volunteer there and a member and volunteer with Daisy Mountain Veterans.” A culmination of three groups’ efforts, veterans and their supporters meet at the church starting at 10 a.m. each first Friday of the month. “Through the organization that I work for, White Rose Hospice, which is part of another organization called We Honor Veterans — and they are part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association — (we started the First Friday event),” Fredericks explained. “That was part of the motivating factor, but the real motive was that we wanted to do something for veterans in Anthem and the North Phoenix area and let them know how much we appreciate who they are and we still value their ser-
vice and their person.” Each month, the community room at Palmcroft Church is transformed into the morning event venue, with Fredericks helping to provide the doughnuts and coffee. “My daughter, Hannah Piatt with Youth for Troops, volunteers to make the coffee every month for the veterans, so we really appreciate her because we would be lost without her,” Piatt said. “Daisy Mountain Veterans’ Dennis Salisbury, the president, put it out to their membership, but it is open to the public — it’s open to everyone.” One of Piatt’s fondest memories from the event is of a retired Navy grandmother bringing her son and grandchildren to enjoy the comradery of the multigenerational affair. “Each month, different people come in that are veterans or veteran supporters, and we just have great conversations,” Piatt said. Fredericks’ favorite moment was
during an event around this past Veterans’ Day that culminated in the attending veterans being recognized with a hat or lapel pin that said, “We honor veterans,” according to Fredericks. “The reason why that stands out is because normally we don’t push an agenda. … It’s only on the veterans,” Fredericks said. “The focus is on whatever they want to talk about. If that is about their latest fishing trip, then we can talk about that.” He called it an “extraordinary moment” being able to give a visual token back to the veterans as a sign of their appreciation. “We had a really extraordinary group there that day,” Fredericks admitted. “We had one of our largest groups in the 20s. I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but normal attendance is in the teens.” The event has grown in reputation, drawing more than Anthem locals. Vis-
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