Lt Col Barry Bridger (Ret) asked a poignant question at the VFW First Post 116th anniversary dinner: what is it about service men and women who survive the crucible of war and return with honor?
There’s a special quality about fighters who defend our country. We’ve seen it in first responders, we see it in prisoners of war, we see it in those who return with battle scars, mental and physical. Yet we see it, time and time again.
Mr. Bridger was one of several prisoners of war present at the VFW dinner at the Brown Palace Sunday night, including Mike McGrath and Orson Swindle, all spending several years in the “Hanoi Hilton.” He gave a resounding speech about integrity, values and strength of character.
Speaking of which, everywhere guests turned there were honored guests. Medal of Honor recipients Drew Dix and Hiroshi Miyamura were in attendance. MOH recipient George “Joe” Sakato, who just passed last week, was fondly remembered by attendees and commemorated by 12 blue roses (daughter Leslie was in attendance). Donald Sturm received the Citizen of the Year award. Captain Christopher Cassidy received the Jack Swigert Aeronautical and Astronautical award, with Captain Scott Kelly joining by video from the International Space Station. Freddie Sprankel was named the Ray Starkey Member of the Year. Julian Scadden received the Irving Hale award for his work at the bedside of dying veterans, called the 11th hour. Post Commander Michael Mitchel gave the Commander’s Award to Dyanna Aragon and her daugther Sierra in honor of Pete Aragon, who recently lost his battle with cancer.
And as if all this wasn’t enough to portray the incredible amount of honor present in the room, guests got a special treat in meeting Rob O’Neill, Navy SEAL Team Six member who stormed the compound in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden and also was part of the team who rescued Captain Richard Phillips. O’Neill had the crowd laughing out loud as he talked about some of the surprises he encountered in SEAL training, and gave a rare glimpse into the camaraderie that exists on military missions. One has to wonder how he keeps his mind busy after days like that.
The VFW program stated “we reaffirm our commitment to support the men and women currently in uniform, veterans from all walks of life, our patriotic organization and the United States of America.” There’s no doubt that our freedom is in good hands.
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- Tom Mindala, left, Clayton Nattier, Betty Griffin and Keith Hereford
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- Rod and Nancy Ford
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- Joe and Joan Annello, left, Terry and Harold Hoyland
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- Shane and Rachell Dottenwhy
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- Laura Dalpiaz, left, Monte Moore, Alex Tallentire and Carol Schick
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- Christopher and Priscilla Garcia
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- Breaen Reid and Kenneth Coles
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- Elizabeth and Sam Wybenga
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- State Commander Peter and Barbara Buchanan, left, with Edward and Diane Aiken (he’s Jr. Vice Commander)
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- Shawn Wilson and Tricia Stevens
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- The Smiths: Richard, Terry, Gerry, Susan, John and Kathy
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- Honoree Freddie and Danielle Sprankel
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- Bob and Susan Melvin, left, Natalie Merckens
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- BJ Lawrence, left, Mary Bandini and Benny Bachand
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- Honoree Julian Scadden of the 11th Hour with Isabella Perez
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- Adam and Natalie Neville flank Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill
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- Tom Allee, advisory board member for the Center for American Values, with Rob O’Neill
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- the Nevilles: Natalie and Adam, Joshua, Marilyn, Tom and Ron Linderman
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- Rob O’Neill with Michael DeRosa
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- Amir Allison, left, Michael DeRosa, Brian Duffy, Benny Bachand
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- Stephan Tubbs and Jen Burch
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- Jean and Alan Jaffe
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- Jim Doyle Sr. (Pearl Harbor veteran), Jim Doyle Jr., Julian Scadden, Isabella Perez, Sue Doyle
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- From the Denver Fisher House Foundation: Exec. Director Melanie Starkman and board member Marie Moll
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- Mark and George Lundeen
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- Kim Monson, left, and Suzy Stasko Robinson
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- Toby Adams, left, Murphy Phanhdone (Post trustee), Brittany Bartges (VFW Sr. Vice Commander)
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- State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, left, and Rob O’Neill
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- Karl Zips, left, Lt Col Kathryn Wirkus (Post Surgeon) and John Harry
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- Joe and Carlene Madsen, Roger Madsen
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- Russell Attema and Toby Adams
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- Rob O’Neill, left, and Vietnam POW Barry Bridger
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- Carlene Crall, left, Bill Lindsay, Shane and Rachell Dottenwhy
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- Lt Col Barry Bridger and Tom Allee
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- Heather Ehle of Project Sanctuary chats with Barry Bridger
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- Three ex-POWs that survived the “Hanoi Hilton: Barry Bridger, Orson Swindle and Mike McGrath
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- Rob O’Neill greets Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix, co-founder of the Center for American Values in Pueblo
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- MOH recipient “Hershey” Miyamura and Denver PD’s Henry Jones
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- Brian Duffy, Sr Vice Commander of national VFW with Susan and Izzy Abass
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- Leslie Sakato, daughter of recently passed MOH recipient George Sakato, chatting with Tom Allee and MOH recipient Drew Dix
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- Leslie Sakato and VFW Post 1 Commander Michael Mitchel
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- MOH recipients Hershey Miyamura and Drew Dix with Leslie Sakato
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- Drew Dix helps Hershey Miyamura with his Medal of Honor ribbon as Leslie Sakato looks on
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- Michael Mitchel and Capt Christopher Cassidy, recipient of the Jack Swigert award
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- Joe Annello, left, MOH recipients Hershey Miyamura and Drew Dix and Harold Hoyland
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- Leslie Sakato, left, and Teruko (Terri) Hoyland
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- MOH recipients Hershey Miyamura and Drew Dix with Capt Chris Cassidy, center
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- Rob O’Neill with Leslie Sakato
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- Members of the Jordan Construction family with Rob O’Neill–Jordan Construction built the VFW post
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- Dapo and Kemi Ajayi
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- Rob O’Neill and Marcel Pitton, GM of the Brown Palace and Honorary Consul to Switzerland
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- Rob O’Neill chats with Marcel Pitton
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- Orson Swindle chats with the Annellos
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- Joe Annello, Orson Swindle and Hershey Miyamura
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- The VFW Band of Colorado, est 1888
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- Emcee Dave Gruber expertly navigated the program
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- Color Guard presenting colors
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- the POW ceremony
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- Post Commander Michael Mitchell begins the award presentation
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- Capt Chris Cassidy on stage with Michael Mitchel
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- Capt Chris Cassidy accepts the Jack Swigert Aeronautical and Astronautical award from Michael Mitchel
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- Capt Chris Cassidy
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- Jason Culpepper of Home Depot accepts the Corporate Partner of the Year award
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- Donald Sturm accepts the Citizen of the Year award
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- Benny Bachand presents the VFW with a $5,000 check from the Disabled Veterans National Organization
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- Benny Bachand and Michael Mitchel on stage
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- John Harry, left, and Ray Starkey on stage
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- Michael Mitchel, left, Freddie Sprankel and Dave Gruber listen to stage remarks
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- John Harry presents Freddie Sprankel with the Ray Starkey Member of the Year award
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- Freddie Sprankel accepts his award
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- Freddie Sprankel and his award
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- Freddie Sprankel gets a hug from his wife Danielle
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- State Quartermaster Bruce Dolan, left, and honoree Freddie Sprankel
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- Iwo Jima veteran Don Whipple and his daughter Debbie Whipple
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- Julian Scadden gets ready to receive his award
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- Julian Scadden of the 11th Hour accepts the Irving Hale Veterans Organization of the Year award
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- 12 blue roses commemorate Medal of Honor recipient George “Joe” Sakato, who just passed last week
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- Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix with honoree Freddie Sprankel and Danielle Sprankel
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- MOH recipient Drew Dix chats with Michael Mitchel
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- Tony Adams, Post CFO/Quartermaster, with his wife Toby
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- Lt Col Barry Bridger gave an emotional speech
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- Barry Bridger makes a point
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- Barry Bridger on stage with John Holland and Michael Mitchel
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- Barry Bridger accepts an appreciation plaque
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- Michael Mitchel gave an emotional tribute to the late Pete Aragon, presentetd to his wife Dyanna Aragon and daughter Sierra
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- Sierra and Dyanna Aragon on stage with Michael Mitchel
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- Rob O’Neill’s speech was humorous and memorable
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- Rob O’Neill makes a point
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- Rob O’Neill said “I’m having a good time up here.”
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- Where does one buy patriotic socks like this?
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- Issy Abass closes the program
