For the fourth consecutive year, Scottsdale is recognizing veterans and military service members with banners along Drinkwater Boulevard in Old Town as part of the Scottsdale Salutes program. The initiative, led by the Veterans Advisory Commission, aims to raise awareness and appreciation for veterans within the community.
Each year, one of the banners features city founder Winfield Scott, a former U.S. Army Captain wounded five times during the Civil War. He is joined by other honorees who have strong ties to Scottsdale through residence or employment.
The banners will be displayed from Osborn Road to Scottsdale Road until November 17.
This year’s list of honorees includes individuals from all branches of the military, representing a range of service periods and roles. Among them are:
– Jenny Colegate, currently serving as commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
– Gerald Conover, who contributed to developing the M1 Abrams main battle tank during his 26-year Army career.
– Bob Frost, a Marine Corps veteran who later served as Scottsdale’s parks superintendent and Poet Laureate.
– Frank Lambert, Vietnam veteran awarded several medals including a Silver Star and three Bronze Stars with “V.”
– Connor Terhaar, Navy veteran now working as a firefighter/paramedic with the Scottsdale Fire Department.
– Chris Watson, former Marine Military Police Officer and current Assistant Chief with the Scottsdale Police Department.
– Brian Wilder, decorated Air Force F-16 pilot who protected White House airspace after 9/11 and remains active in local organizations.
The program also honors World War II veterans such as Edwin Grosse and Edward Cornelius Ward, alongside more recent service members like Anna Griffin of the Air National Guard and Saul Ramirez of the Army.
Honorees were nominated by family members, friends, colleagues, or fellow veterans. Their stories reflect both their military achievements and ongoing contributions to Scottsdale through public service or community involvement.
According to organizers, these tributes are intended not only to honor individual achievements but also to highlight the city’s longstanding connection with those who serve in uniform.
