Open House Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Entrance Exam Saturday, January 9, 2016 7:30 am 4710 N. 5th St. | Phoenix, AZ 85012 | www.xcp.org | 602-277-3772 Photo by chadwickfowler.com Discover your talents. Discover your future. Discover you. Dates to remember: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm emember : Make Up Entrance Exam Saturday, January 23, 2016 7:30 am www.xcp.org Page 24 November 2015 By Rachael Bouley Each year, the students and staff at Christ Lutheran School prepare a Veterans Day breakfast event. The tradition began in 2006, when fourth- grade teacher and parent Suzanne Black began helping with the Leadership Group, a club that helps sixth- through eighth-graders develop leadership qualities. She suggested the school host a breakfast to honor vets and allow them to share their stories with the middle school students. That first year, they had a dozen veterans join the students for the event, which included prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an opportunity for each veteran to introduce themselves and share their story. Nearly a decade later, the event has become a tradition for students, staff and the veterans. For this year’s breakfast on Wednesday November 11, the school expects nearly 30 vets to attend. Megan Ehlers, the leadership coordinator at the school, said the tradition gives the school a sense of pride that they are able to provide such an event for veterans. “It empowers our students as leaders when they get to make decorations and have a role in the activities, like serving food or escorting the vets around,” Ehlers said. “It also helps us learn about our country’s past so we can appreciate the freedom we experience.” The tradition is special to the students. “I think the students enjoy the relationship that they build with the vets. Some [veterans] are regulars now, so they look forward to seeing each other,” Ehlers said. “The students enjoy preparing and having a role in a big event like this, and they enjoy hearing the veterans share what branch they served in and having time to sit and talk with the vets.” The 50 students that are a part of the Leadership Group do the majority of the planning for the event. They are split up into groups with different responsibilities for the event. Some students will be greeters and welcome guests when they first arrive, while others distribute nametags and goody bags at the registration booth. Students also work in the kitchen to prepare the food, serve food and refill drinks, and converse with the veterans at their tables. It couldn’t be done without the help of parents who coordinate the food and teachers who supervise the students as they help. The event requires more than the participation during the breakfast, but also a lot of preparation and decoration. The sixth- grade class made centerpieces, and during the week of the event students will make decorations and signs during lunch. Ehlers said that the tradition of having the veterans speak has always been a special moment during the event. “That was the part that was so special and profound. These men were excited to tell their stories. Their love of our country and for all others in the military was very evident. It was impactful on every student and adult in the room.” Some vets who attended the event said it’s the first time they have been honored. This year’s event will begin at 7 a.m. with a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, muffins, pastries, fruit, coffee and juice, and also include chapel and a flag salute. In addition to the breakfast, members of Christ Lutheran School National Junior Honor Society are working hard to serve both active military members and veterans. They are sponsoring a military care package drive from October 19 through November 20. They will donate funds raised to Operation Barnabas, a program that supports active military members and their families as well as veterans. For the breakfast, the NJHS group invited a special guest: Titus, a comfort dog from Trinity Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley. Titus will attend the breakfast with his handler, who is a veteran. Jennifer Weber is the coordinator of NJHS. She said this event is an excellent way to help students understand the concepts of service, sacrifice and putting others’ needs before oneself, all of which are beliefs that veterans have exhibited through their service. “By recognizing and honoring their sacrifices, students can better understand the concept and put a face and story to the concept of serving others,” Weber said. Christ Lutheran School prepares for Veterans Day Breakfast Students at CLS have the chance to talk with the Veterans as they are seated together during the breakfast. stories recorded,” said John. John took video recordings of the men telling their stories, guaranteeing their preservation. It was his mention of this video that brought forth one of the most important stories of all. “A woman saw my blog, where I had mentioned this 1st Air Commandos project,” said John. “She got in touch with me and explained that her cousin had died with the 1st Air Commandos and she had no information.” The woman knew her cousin had been killed, but knew nothing else. His name immediately brought back a memory for Charles. “Not only did I know him, he was my element leader,” said Charles. Charles was able to give a moment-by- moment explanation of Glenn Fickert’s last two days. “The woman was so grateful to talk to Charles,” said John. Charles’ friendship has meant eye-opening stories. “It’s so important to ask each other questions,” said John. “There are many of Charles’ comrades who aren’t here anymore. Their stories are gone forever.” For Charles, he wants to make one thing clear: “I’m not a hero. My service was never about that. For me – from my heart – it was something I needed to do, to serve my country.” P-47 Continued from page 21

SHOWING OUR TRUE COLORS WWW.AZCOUNTRYCLUB.COM • 5668 E ORANGE BLOSSOM LN, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 **Membership at the Arizona Country Club is by invitation only. For membership & sponsor information, please contact us today. 480-889-1504 or membership@azcountryclub.com** Distinguished Emerald Club of the World Congratulations to the Members and Staff of The Arizona Country Club! Your Club has consistently been honored with one of the most prestigious awards a private club can be bestowed, to be recognized as a Distinguished Club of the World! It is an honor the private club industry does not take lightly. How do you become a Distinguished Club you ask? Well, for starters you have to be recognized as an industry leader by your peers and a group of professionals in the industry, who make up the Nomination Committee. Back in 2012, The Arizona Country Club had its first site visit after being nominated by the committee. The site visit was completed by the President of BOARDROOM magazine, Keith Jarrett and the Owner/Co- Founder John Fornaro. They conducted an extensive interview process of the Club and its Management Team. Initially, the Club was recognized as a Distinguished Gold Club of the World, only given to the top 10% of all clubs worldwide. However, there was still the highest honor of Emerald status to attain...only given to the top 5% of all clubs! In 2015, The Arizona Country Club hosted another site visit and thorough evaluation by BOARDROOM magazine. We are proud to report, the Club is now recognized as a Distinguished Emerald Club of the World! We are in great company with the likes of iconic Clubs, including: The Olympic Club, Southern Hills CC, Oakmont CC, Colonial CC, Merion Golf Club, East Lake CC, Interlachen CC, Pinehurst CC and Wailae CC. Boardroom magazine developed the Distinguished Clubs award program to help vitalize and preserve the institution of private clubs by fostering a ceaseless drive to ever improve the “ Member Experience .” BEST COUNTRY CLUB AVIDGOLFER Magazine 2010 - 2013 New Times-Best of Phoenix 2010 CLUBHOUSE OF THE YEAR AVIDGOLFER Magazine 2011 Golf Inc. Magazine 2007 BEST WALKING COURSE AVIDGOLFER Magazine 2010 - 2013 BEST FAMILY CLUB A VIDGOLFER Magazine 2010 - 2013 Congratulations to the Members and the Arcadia community! Thank you for your continued support of your neighborhood country club!