Getting Recognition

NOMINATIONS FROM PAGE 41

was founded in 2001, leading to the eventual creation of the AVHOF Society in 2007.

“A lot of them aren’t ever honored,” Seago continues. “It’s like when we had that real tragic summer; we just had such terrible heat. Some of these people, even handicapped veterans, went out and took water to people. It’s just over and above what you would think someone would do.”

Nominees must be of good moral character and have no felony convictions, the Criteria and Nomination Form states. They must also have been born in or entered military service from Arizona or at some point been a permanent resident of Arizona for a minimum of five consecutive years.

An honorable discharge or retirement certificate verified by a U.S. military service document is required, as are military and civilian photographs.

A selection committee will review nomination packets, and a background check will be conducted. Selectees are forwarded to the governor for approval.

The Class of 2022 will be honored at the annual induction ceremony luncheon. Usually in late October, a date has yet to be determined.

“We usually have something like that because it’s a very touching situation whenever these people are there, because they are honored out of 600,000 people here that are veterans or military, however you want to call it. … Right now, we have only honored 472 people — and 206 are deceased and 266 are living,” Seago says.

Guest speakers and dignitaries help honor each year’s class, and in the past have included governors, the Scottsdale mayor and more.

“All of these people gather, they’re onstage, we have a luncheon, we honor each one,” Seago describes. “The secretary of state, and Col. (Wanda) Wright at the ADVS (Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services), they present the medallions and the plaques to each one; they each have their photograph made; and they’re honored that way. It’s a very wonderful event.” Seago says there’s “nothing like it.” “There are a lot of people doing things and they’re doing it in good faith and happiness, but yet they aren’t ever given an opportunity to be awarded for their service,” Seago reiterates. For more information on Unified Arizona Veterans, go to azuav.org. For complete details on nomination criteria and the selection process, and to nominate a veteran, hover over the “Nominations & Scholarships” tab and click “Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Nomination.”

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame has honored 472 people, 206 of whom are deceased and 266 of whom are living, since its inception in 2001. (Photo by David Minton)

Pictured, from left, are retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Logan, Air Force veteran Debra Undhjem and retied Army Sgt. Maj. Anna “Lea” Seago. Logan and Undhjem are 2020 inductees of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, while Seago was inducted in 2013. (Photo by David Minton)

High school students put their electrical skills to work wiring the interior of a veteran’s home as part of Operation Enduring Gratitude. (Photo by David Minton)

Lendinga Hand

High school students join effort to save home

BY SCOTT SHUMAKER

Sound of Freedom Staff Writer

Local high school students learning construction at West-MEC technical school in Glendale are helping a veteran’s widow keep her home.

On February 17, WestMEC students in the General Construction Technology class returned for the second time in a month to work on the Glendale home of LaGean Levar, whose husband Thomas, a U.S. Navy veteran, died last year.

After Thomas died, the city became aware of the dangerous state of disrepair inside the home. The structure was headed for condemnation, so city officials alerted retired Glendale Police Sgt. Jeff Turney.

An Air Force veteran, Turney has a long record of helping local vets. In 2019 he made national news by helping a World War II veteran drive from Glendale to Florida to reunite with family. Turney has also chaired the Glendale Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee.

When Turney heard about LaGean’s situation, he contacted Angels on Patrol and Operation Enduring Gratitude, which went to work organizing volunteers and donated building materials for the renovation. LaGean is staying with her next-door neighbors while the volunteers bring her home up to code and make it comfortable.

Operation Enduring Gratitude was founded by West-MEC construction instructor and Army veteran Charlie Ellis in 2014. Its mission is to perform home repairs and upgrades for veterans in need.

Ellis said LaGean’s house is the ninth home the group has helped renovate. It has also performed numerous smaller projects, including the installation of about 80 wheelchair ramps for veterans.

When the recent home renovation project came up, Ellis said he saw an opportu-