Glendora, CA, May 29, 2018 — America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) concluded its annual Patriot Week festivities on Thursday, May 24th, with the Family Day & Awards Ceremony hosted at the credit union’s Glendora headquarters. Throughout the week, ACCU honored local veterans, U.S. military, military work dogs and first responders in partnership with Operation Community Cares and Project Glendora Yellow Ribbon.
Patriot Week unofficially kicked off Saturday, May 19th, when a dozen ACCU staffers joined forces with Operation Community Cares (OCC) to pack over 500 care packages for servicemen and women abroad. Community members from throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties united in the pre-Memorial Day Weekend event to honor the spirit of the upcoming holiday commemoration.
The traditional Patriot Week opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 22 at the credit union’s Glendora headquarters and was led by Glendora Mayor and ACCU President/CEO Mendell L. Thompson. Joining Thompson was Associate Chaplain of Azusa Pacific University, Rev. Rick Givens, who gave a blessing over the tributes of the week and the sacrifices of our servicemen and women. Rev. Karen Davis - who serves as Glendora Police Department Chaplain, Glendora City Councilmember, and pastor of First Christian Church of Glendora added significance to the event with a heartwarming flag presentation and prayer opportunity to lift up those who have fallen in battle. On Wednesday, Patriot Week continued as Ryan Orr of OCC returned to share the story of the organization he founded over a decade ago, and explain how easily communities can rally together to support our troops through a care package.
On Thursday, first-responders, current military personnel, military work dogs and veterans were honored by family members and the community during the Family Day & Awards Ceremony, when Sgt. Chris Valenzuela was recognized for his years of dedication and exceptional service to the United States Army and Department of Justice. “It has been a long road (of service) but now I pass the baton of service to my sons,” said Sgt. Valenzuela, as he reflected on his lifetime of service. Three of Sgt. Valenzuela’s sons are enlisted in the Army and have all served multiple tours of duty. Also in attendance was military hero service dog Sirius, with owner Tammie Ashley. Sirius had been the service dog of Tammie’s son Sgt. Josh Ashley of the U.S. Marine Corps, who was killed by enemy action in Afghanistan in 2013. Tammie was presented with a copied set of essays submitted by about 80 Glendora-area schoolchildren, in Grades 3 through 8, who participated this month in an essay competition with a theme of “Patriots and their Pets.” The ceremony concluded with the attending family, friends, and community members together in fellowship, snapping photos with the local military, veterans, and first-responder heroes.
Patriot Week has also served as an opportunity to raise funds for this year’s spotlighted charity, Operation Community Cares. A day of fundraising at Chili’s restaurant in Glendora, and an ACCU product promotion – a new, limited-time “Stronger Communities Term Share Certificate” – generated additional revenues for this worthy cause. “This is a special week in the life of our nation,” commented Thompson. “Too often we get wrapped up in what we are doing, and we forget to pause and pay tribute. Without that pause, we can easily miss the significance of this holiday that honors the sacrifice and service of thousands of America’s heroes.”
For information about next year’s Patriot Week celebration, please contact Nikole Pearce at npearce@americasccu.com.