More than 25 U-Haul Team Members joined military families, community partners, and thousands of appreciative attendees Nov. 11 in honoring those who served our country at the annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in Midtown.
Phoenix has been home to U-Haul since 1967, and the do-it-yourself moving and self-storage company is always a participant in the parade.
There were 88 entries in the parade’s 30th edition, which featured a new north-bound route along 3rd Street from McDowell Road to Indian School Road at the southeast corner of the Phoenix VA Medical Center campus.
Families lining the street cheered our veterans while watching marching bands, community groups, vintage military vehicles, and two U-Haul trucks flanked by Team Members giving out miniature American flags. Some Team Members marched with their children, making the parade a shared experience across generations.
Community United in Appreciation
The parade also included service dogs and therapy animals. Among them were Theo and Cali, two miniature horses whose work extends beyond community events. According to their owners, Theo and Cali also visit hospitals to comfort sick children.
The parade provided an opportunity for all ages to come together and show appreciation for the bravery and sacrifices of veterans and their families.
For Leona Spalding, a U.S. Air Force veteran who works in U-Haul Payment Processing, seeing the community recognize veterans was especially meaningful.
“A lot of people don’t realize how many people in our community are serving or have served in the military,” Spalding said. “It’s wonderful to see everyone come together and recognize our veterans.”
U-Haul Commitment to Veterans
The U-Haul commitment to veterans dates to the Company’s founding in 1945 by WWII Navy veteran L.S. “Sam” Shoen and his wife, Anna Mary Carty. Many of the earliest U-Haul Team Members, customers, and local dealers were veterans returning home after the war and beginning new chapters of their lives.
Today, U-Haul continues to show love for veterans by recruiting them to its workforce and providing preference in the hiring process. U-Haul also earmarks a significant amount of its community dollars toward honoring veterans and working with nonprofit organizations that help veterans meet their needs.
Alex Brockhagen, a member of the U-Haul Tax department, comes from an entire family of veterans. Being part of a company with strong veteran roots holds extra significance.
“It’s a great feeling to work alongside veterans and learn from their experience,” Brockhagen said. “U-Haul supports veterans a lot, both within the company as well as in the community. (U-Haul Chairman and CEO) Joe Shoen always listens to veterans and their needs, so it’s nice to see that commitment continue.”
As U-Haul continues its tradition of participating in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, the parade serves as a reminder of the Company’s continued appreciation for the service of our brave soldiers.
Thank you, veterans, and thank you to the Phoenix community for honoring our heroes!
