Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society President Tom Hessler (Class of 2007) and Mike Roberts (Class of 2017) were among several who presented special recognitions to Sierra Vista’s newest Veteran of the Year. President Tom presented an AVHOFS Certificate of Commendation and challenge coin to the Veteran of the Year. Besides Tom and Mike, ten other AVHOFS members were in attendance as well.
COL(R) Doris Caldwell (seated) was selected by the Greater Sierra Vista United Veterans Council to be their 2018 Veteran of the Year. Pictured are some of the presenters that honored her at a luncheon in her honor on 18 January. Back row from left to right are Pat Call (Chairman of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors), CSM Marcus Jones (Fort Huachuca Garrison CSM), COL James Wright (Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander), CSM(R) Mike Roberts (Sergeants Major Association), MG Robert Walters, Jr. (C.G. USAICOE & Fort Huachuca), Dr. Randy Groth (Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army), COL(R) Bob Covalucci (President, Coronado Chapter MOAA), and Mayor Rick Mueller (City of Sierra Vista). Front row from left to right are Bob Brubaker (representing Sen. Jeff Flake), Alesia Ash (representing Congresswoman Martha McSally), Shay Saucedo (representing Sen. McCain), and COL(R) Tom Hessler (President, AVHOFS). Her luncheon program bio reads as follows:
“Colonel (COL) Doris L. Caldwell (Retired) enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1952. After obtaining her college degree, COL Caldwell returned to active duty and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1957 and retired from active duty in 1981. During her 27-year military career, COL Caldwell’s assignments included overseas service in Korea and Vietnam as well as various locations in the Continental United States. Her military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
Before and since her retirement from active duty, COL Caldwell actively served in a variety of volunteer positions. She served two terms (eight years) on the Sierra Vista Unified School District Board (two years as President). During this time, COL Caldwell was instrumental in the inclusion of a 1,300-seat performance arts center at the new Buena High School. She also served as a member of the Sierra Vista Library Administrative Board and five years as the chairperson of the annual Art in the Park event and helped it to become one of the largest arts and crafts shows in southeast Arizona. COL Caldwell’s other volunteer activities include service on the Sierra Vista Arts and Humanities Commission, the Cochise County Merit Commission, the Huachuca Museum, Friends of the Sierra Vista Public Library as a Life Member, the Henry Hauser Museum, and the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. COL Caldwell has also provided volunteer transport for cancer patients for over 30 years through Southern Arizona Red Cross.”
