Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Dinner

The Valley celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation on May 12 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. The dinner was the second annual held in Phoenix, bringing together nearly 500 guests and netting more than $500,000 for scholarships for children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen whose parent has been killed or wounded in combat or to those who have demonstrated financial need.

The dinner with a patriotic theme included two Medal of Honor recipients and a Navy Cross recipient. Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen was the keynote speaker, and guests were treated to performances by the Arizona State University Wind Band and former New York Metropolitan USO singers United We Sing.

Ed Robson, chairman and CEO of Robson Communities was honored with the Semper Fidelis Award, and Rich Boals, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, received the Globe & Anchor Award. Arizona Supreme Court Justice Michael Ryan was posthumously acknowledged with the Service Above Self Award. Wayne Newton, Las Vegas entertainer and chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle also received the Service Above Self Award.

Lee Hanley, chairman and CEO of Vestar, brought the diners to their feet when he accepted a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to Marines and to the community.

Deborah Carstens, John Nickerson and Ira Shapiro co-chaired the evening.