GLENDALE, Ariz. – The city of Glendale recognized more than 200 future service members of all military branches, at the 2019 Induction Ceremony, April 26, Calvary Community Church.
The event was the third induction ceremony held by the city and applauded high school seniors from Glendale, most of whom are set to depart for basic training in their respective branches at the conclusion of the school year.
The event was organized by city officials from Glendale and personnel from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion, including Capt. Edward Donoghue, commander Phoenix West Recruiting Company.
Attending on behalf of the Phoenix Rec. Bn. was Lt. Col. Scott Morley, battalion commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Hilda Garcia, battalion command sergeant major, and Mario Diaz, civilian aide to the secretary of the Army – Arizona.
Guest speaker for the Army was Brig. Gen. Joseph Baldwin, land component commander, Arizona National Guard, who thanked all the inductees for volunteering to serve the nation.
“I want to thank you for your bravery, heroism and willingness to serve, something only one percent of the nation does,” Baldwin said. “I still see myself as a teenager living in Alabama. I have to stop and think sometimes how much I’ve changed in over 30 years of military service. You will change too.”
Baldwin said the inductees are about to cross the threshold from being civilians to military professionals, a threshold which will forever change them.
“What it means to be a military professional, is that you’re go to live a series of shared values, all of which they are expected to embrace,” he said. “You’re expected to become experts in your career fields. You’re expected to grow as individuals and as members of the team you serve.”
“You are inheriting the trust and respect of the nation … hold yourselves and each other accountable for living to a higher standard,” Baldwin added.
Also thanking the seniors was Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, who praised the decision of those being honored to join the military.
“The high school students here today are soon to be part of the one percent standing on the front line, protecting the freedom of our world,” Weiers said. “For that reason we’re here to honor that courageous decision. That decision is probably the best one you’ve made in your lives so far.”
It will set them on a career path with unlimited opportunities, Weiers said.
“You may have the chance to serve in a foreign nation, save someone’s life or earn a master’s degree - but the one certain thing is you will face challenges,” he added.
Weiers then presented a special challenge coin, which was given to each person being honored, as part of his tribute to the future service members.
“The most important part of this coin is where it says ‘the first to say thank you,’” Weiers said. “That’s what we’re here tonight to do, thank you for the decision you’ve made to serve and protect our country.”