Tempe Community Salutes celebrates future military services members and their families

Please join us Monday, May 11 | 6-8 p.m.   
Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway

Come celebrate our 11th anniversary as the Tempe community gives an annual sendoff salute to graduating Tempe Union High School seniors in a ceremony called Tempe Community Salutes.

The event is free and open to the public. Enjoy entertainment, light refreshments and a strong sense of community.

Tempe Community Salutes

This special ceremony recognizes them before they join the ranks of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

City officials and military representatives join family and friends of the recruits as each one is brought up on stage to a round of applause and given a challenge coin – a small medallion bearing the insignias of the U.S. military branches with the message, “The First to Say Thank You.” Additionally, the seniors are draped with special neck stoles - ones imprinted with their chosen military branch, which they also can wear to their high school graduation ceremonies.

Tempe Community Salutes is modeled after the program promoted by the national Our Community Salutes organization to recognize and honor high school seniors who plan to enlist into the military immediately following high school graduation.

Contact information: City of Tempe Veteran Services Coordinator Michael Garrison at Michael_garrison@tempe.gov or 480-350-8004.