3 Takeaways:

• SRPMIC President Martin Harvier was recognized for his enduring support for the annual Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame induction program, which honors veterans.
• Unified Arizona Veterans says the Community’s total in-kind donations are valued at more than $350,000 to date.
• The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th anniversary induction program in October at Talking Stick Resort.

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier was presented with the inaugural Board of Directors Award at the annual Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame induction program organized by Unified Arizona Veterans (UAV) at the Talking Stick Resort on Oct. 24.

“The UAV Board of Directors, Travis Burns, chair, is proud to salute the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and President Martin Harvier for delivering consistently high-quality support for Arizona’s signature program honoring our veterans,” said UAV member Larry Mishler.

Unified Arizona Veterans is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1981 consisting of over 50 veteran service organizations focused on promoting veteran-related affairs endorsed by most of its membership.

Founded and operated by UAV since 2001, the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th anniversary program this year by hosting more than 550 guests, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Mishler said that since 2018, the SRPMIC has supported UAV’s induction program by providing “a world-class venue, amenities, accommodations, cultural entertainment and in-kind donations valued at more than $350,000 to date.

“More importantly, the Community continues to be model for sharing its rich culture, ancient traditions, unwavering respect and recognition of the outstanding men and women veterans who have served in the uniforms of this great state and nation,” said Mishler.

Mishler noted that SRPMIC being the title sponsor for the induction program since 2018 coincides with the election of Harvier as president. Harvier was Vice-President of the SRPMIC from 2006 to 2018, the year he was elected to his first term as president.

“President Harvier, in his role as SRPMIC Vice-President (and his fellow leadership), initiated a number of veteran-oriented projects honoring the service of not only Community members, but all men and women veterans, including the Pearl Harbor Memorial at Salt River Fields, the revitalization of the Community Veterans Museum, and the Community being designated as one of the first Purple Heart communities in the nation,” said Mishler.

Mishler also praised the Community’s establishment of the Office of Veterans Affairs, which provides an array of veterans services and recognizes and honors veterans of the Community.

UAVs mission is to “actively propose, support and endorse legislation and activities which advance the welfare and well-being of all Arizona Veterans.”

For more information about Unified Arizona Veterans, head to their website at www.azuav.org.