2017 YMCA Veterans Prayer Breakfast

We Honor Our Heros

Heart of the Valley YMCA continued its long tradition of honoring our men and women in Military service at the 12th annual YMCA Veterans Prayer Breakfast. Heart of the Valley YMCA kicked off Veterans Week in the Tennessee Valley by welcoming more than 275 Veterans, active-duty Military, dignitaries and members of the community to the Hogan Family YMCA on Nov. 3.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. Robert L. Stewart, NASA astronaut, was keynote speaker. The program included prayer led by the Rev. Kerry Holder-Joffrion, President of Turning Point Group, home of the Honor Walk and specialized chaplaincy with PTSD; and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Trenton E. Lewis, Garrison Chaplain for Redstone Arsenal. Patriotic music was provided by the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band and the Huntsville Police Department Blue Notes. The Bob Jones High School Air Force JROTC Honor Guard presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Heart of the Valley YMCA recognizes annually a member of the community for their exceptional altruism toward veterans and modeling of the YMCA values of caring, honesty, responsibility and respect. Cathy Anderson, Owner of Woody Anderson Ford, was honored with the 2017 Service to Veterans Award for her sponsorship of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Series, Honor Flight and many other The award, named in honor of retired Army Brig. Gen. Bob Drolet, was presented by Ginger Harper, Heart of the Valley YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer, Jerry Courtney, President and Dr. Joe Fitzgerald, Civilian Aide to the U.S. Army, 2015 recipient.

Heart of the Valley YMCA gave $129,671 in membership and program scholarships to service members and their families in 2016. The 13th YMCA Veterans Prayer Breakfast will be on Nov. 2, 2018.