Martin Bender Support Our Troops-Arizona (SOT-AZ) presented a grant check for $2,000 on April 30 to the Tolleson High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program (JROTC). The grant was provided as “seed” money for the Cadet’s fundraising efforts to cover unfunded program costs and travel expenses in the coming 2026-27 school year.…
Martin Bender The mission of Honor Flight Arizona is to pay homage to World War II, Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans by providing for them a three-day journey of honor and remembrance to their memorials in Washington, D.C. The Arizona chapter of Honor Flight was formed in 2008 and to date has…
Martin Bender Dateline April 15, 1862, New Mexico Territory: “Twelve Union Cavalry and a strong force of Confederate pickets clashed in a firefight near Picacho Peak, a volcanic spire about 50 miles northwest of the small Sonoran Desert town of Tucson. The battle left three Union soldiers dead and three wounded. Confederate losses were reported…
Martin Bender Lining the main boulevards of Robson Ranch with American Flags on military–related holidays is the most visible activity of Support Our Troops-AZ (SOT-AZ). The organization’s primary mission, however, is to provide support to our active-duty military, veterans, military families, veterans organizations, and military related community programs. In the past four years, SOT-AZ has…
M.R. Bender On Jan. 25, Support Our Troops-Arizona (SOT-AZ) board members presented a check for $3,000 to the Eloy Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Composite Squadron 131. The Squadron was chartered in 2018 to partner with the local schools expanding upon the aerospace education already being taught in the schools and to introduce the CAP cadets…
Martin Bender, President, SOT–AZ Support Our Troops–Arizona (SOT–AZ) is approaching the $100,000 mark in support provided during the past 18 months to active-duty military, veterans, military families, veterans’ organizations, and military-related community programs. On April 27, SOT–AZ presented a check for $7,500 to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter in Coolidge. The Coolidge Chapter of…
Martin Bender, President, SOT–AZ In addition to posting 636 American flags on the main boulevards of the community on March 29, Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Support Our Troops–Arizona (SOT–AZ) presented a “Salute to Our Veterans” program to give recognition to all military veterans living in Robson Ranch. Two hundred forty Robson Ranch residents attended the event…
Ross Dunfee While not officially adopting a flag at the time of the Declaration of Independence, the “Continental Colors” (aka the “Grand Union” flag), has historically been referred to as the first national flag of the United States. That flag has a striking resemblance to the British East India Company (1707-1801), where the canton resembles…
Eddie Peters, Secretary, SOT–AZ Support Our Troops–AZ (SOT–AZ) of Robson Ranch made a $20,000 donation to Dogs4Vets, an organization that trains and provides dogs for veterans who need assistance. The donation is part of the over $85,000 that SOT–AZ will donate this year to veterans and veterans organizations in Pinal County. SOT–AZ raises money through…
Ross Dunfee At the outset of the 19th century, Great Britain was locked in a long and bitter conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte’s France. Both France and Great Britain attempted to block the United States from trading with the other, and restrict the USA from westward expansion. Beginning in 1812, Napoleon began to encounter the first…