MilVet Celebrates 10 Years
By Mia Rotell
A 52-foot blue-and-yellow 1941 TG-2 glider and a Curtiss JN-4 painted in camouflage hung posed in action dozens of feet above guests’ heads. Weathered wooden trunks lined part of the warehouse wall, while uniforms sat enclosed in glass cases, waiting for their next command.
Photo by Lisa Zambrano
Official military flags stood in front of the WWII Base Structure display and on the red carpet that led to the stage where MilVet’s 10th anniversary gala would officially commence and honor select veterans later that night.
This year’s gala was hosted at the March Air Museum in Riverside and welcomed more than 200 guests. A cocktail hour kicked off the event at 5 p.m., followed by welcome remarks, dinner, and an awards ceremony.
Guests attended on behalf of loved ones who served, to remember their own time in the military, or to show appreciation for veterans.
“(My attendance) is an homage to all my male and female family members who have served — past, present, and maybe future,” said Chey’anne Smock, who, like many other attendees, has never served in the military but attended the gala to honor those who have.
The awards ceremony recognized veterans who made a difference for active-duty and former service members. Honorees were recognized for creating a more inclusive environment for women in the military, serving the country after deployment, and volunteering extensively with MilVet. Veteran Tiffany Lewis was honored for her service to the community.
Lewis joined the Army National Guard at age 17 while still in high school. After completing training, she was deployed to Iraq. She completed her military service last month, marking the end of a 20-year career.
“Less than 1% of the population serves,” Lewis said. “I’m a representation of this country. When they (civilians) say thank you, it literally means everything to me — people realize I took the courage to stand out and go help them and fight for our freedom.”
Riverside County District 3 Supervisor Chuck Washington attended the gala in appreciation of MilVet and support of veterans and active-duty service members.
“Being a veteran was an honor for me,” Washington said, who served as a Naval Aviator. “I like doing things that serve veterans.”
All ticket and drink sales benefited MilVet and its mission to connect the community with programs and philanthropic support for current and former service members.
The next major MilVet event is the Military Care Packaging event at Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium on June 13 from noon to 3 p.m. For questions about RSVPs, call or text 951-902-9681.
“We love America. We love our soldiers, and we pray over them every day,” Smock said. “God bring them home. God keep them safe.”
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