North Valley honors military personnel on 9/11 anniversary weekend

STAFF REPORT ~ 9/15/2011

The third annual Patriot Day Celebration took place Saturday at Paseo Highland Park in Phoenix.
Attendees got the opportunity to tour military aircraft including an Apache Longbow, BlackHawk, Cobra Attack and a V-22 Osprey helicopter and other armed vehicles. The day’s events also included flyovers and a sky diving demonstration by The Black Daggers Special Forces Parachute Team.
Along with the playing of the National Anthem the evening included a benefit concert by Grammy nominated singer Joe Nichols along with Corinne Chapman and Phil Vandel.
Food and drink, along with a variety of entertainment options were available to attendees.
A host of government officials including  U.S. Senator John McCain, Congressman Ben Quayle, Governor Jan Brewer and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon all were scheduled to attend.
Tickets for the event were $9.11 and went to support the 100 Club, ThanksUSA and Fighter Country Foundation. Scholarships from the proceeds will benefit dependents and spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel, with special emphasis given to those who lost a loved one in service to America, families of Arizona National Guardsmen serving on active duty and families of Arizona Police and Firemen.
Friends of Freedom also collected new and gently used blankets for Aghan refugees.