USNSCC members Rick Harrach, Zoe Schuster and Andrew Hazelwood honor the Coast Guard’s 234 anniversary with Mayor Thomas Schoaf. (Mary Goldmeer\Independent Newsmedia)
The City of …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
The city of Litchfield Park celebrated the United States Coast Guard’s 234rd anniversary with a flag raising ceremony Friday, Aug. 3, on the front lawn of Litchfield Park’s City Hall.
Mayor Thomas Schoaf addressed community members, Goodyear firefighters, the Litchfield Park and Avondale Police Department, members of the Southwest Valley Chamber, a local chapter of the Blue Star Moms of America and the Sun City, chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter’s Association to honor and celebrate the anniversary.
“[Members of the Coast Guard are] rendering invaluable, lifesaving, environmental marine and aviation assistance” Schoaf said, “[they are] vital to our nation, and our homeland security.”
Although Arizona is a landlocked state, it lies under the protection of the 11th Coast Guard district, which encompasses the states of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. The 11th district was represented by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program.
Executive Officer Rick Harrach has gotten his cadets involved in the annual ceremony for years, saying community service allows for leadership development.
“Learning the commands and taking on leadership roles enhances their self-esteem and gives them more confidence,” Harrach said, “leadership is not easy, no one is a natural born leader, it’s a learned action for all kids”
Andrew Hazelwood, a senior from Liberty High School who led the presentation of colors, plans to use his experience to filter into the military after graduation. Zoe Schuster, a senior from Centennial High School, learned about the program through a guest speaker in a Girl Scouts program, and plans to use her skills developed through the program to be a physical therapist.
“It’s taught me how to speak to and interact with all kinds of different people,” Schuster said, “it’s about respect.”
Together, the cadets raised the nation’s flag, followed by the Coast Guard flag in their stark white uniforms. After the presentation of colors, Schoaf declared Saturday, Aug. 4 as United States Guard Day and encouraged observance across the city of Litchfield Park.
