Georgenne Bickle, a veteran of the Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, is the new Arizona state director of Military Women Across the Nation.

MWAN is a non-profit organization whose mission is to keep military women, past and present, informed of benefits associated with their military service; keep female veterans connected while preserving their common history; provide opportunities for women in tomorrow’s armed forces through networking, socializing, and serving with and for other female veterans.

The Phoenix area has two active units, Salt River Military Women and Central Phoenix and Sonoran Desert Women in the East Valley.

For more information, contact Bickle at 480-785-6806.

Veterans Hall of Fame

The Early Bird registration cost to attend the induction of personnel for the Veterans Hall of Fame is $55/per person until Sept. 30. From Oct. 1-14,  the registration cost changes to $65.

All lunches are prepaid; “lunch tickets”  cannot be purchased on the day of the event.

Doors open to the public at 11 a.m. at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley-Scottsdale, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.  For more information, call Carol Culbertson at 602-779-9480.

Marine League leaders

Let me congratulate the persons who will lead the Marine League for the coming year.  Judge Advocate — Bob Wallace, Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame member,  Prescott; Jr. Vice Commandant — Larry Brown, AVHOF member, Surprise; Sr. Vice Commandant — John Rodriguez, Tucson; Commandant — Pat Connell, AVHOF member, Peoria.

Hall inductee

The latest member to be admitted to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame is E, who was born in Chicago in 1942, joined the U.S. Air Force in 1961, serving 7½ years, including a combat tour in Vietnam.

After active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve, retiring as Senior Master Sergeant with 35 years of service.

Jackson retired from the Illinois State Police as Master Sergeant Watch Commander.

Since moving to Arizona, and as an active member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Order of Trench Rats, Jackson continues to be instrumental in helping veterans, including blind veterans at the VA Medical Center, Tucson.

Jackson has been a volunteer for 19 years, including 16,000 volunteer hours of community service and 10,000 miles of driving. Jackson is a consummate volunteer.

Navy Ball

The Phoenix Navy Ball, honoring the 241st U.S. Navy birthday, will be at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa, 8000 Arizona Grand Parkway, on Oct. 8.

The evening starts with no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m. The program and dinner start at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $65 per person. Attire: Dinner dress blue. To register visit www.phoenixnavyball.com, or call Carol at 602-943-7834.

USS Phoenix

This is an invitation to attend the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) welcoming event at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Papago Military Reservation, 5425 E. McDowell Road. South gate opens at 7 a.m.

Driving instructions: Head east on McDowell Road, turn right at Bushmaster Boulevard, show ID to the gate guard. The military, veterans and the public are invited and advised to wear comfortable flat shoes.

Guest speakers are Gov. Doug Ducey; Major General Michael T. McGuire, Arizona National National Guard; Mayor Greg Stanton, City of Phoenix; Councilwoman Laura Pastor, City of Phoenix, District 4; Terry Goddard, former mayor of Phoenix and founder of the Phoenix Commission. There have been many others invited.

Information: Carol Culbertson, 602-943-7834.

Arthur G. Sloane is a retired master chief petty officer, Coast Guard. Reach him at 480-802-6810 or artgbeard@aol.com.