Salute to the Troops brings Military Guests to Downtown Puyallup

A big "Salute" to two well know faces for AUSA, Carlene Joseph and Eric Kantor. Pioneer Park was full of service men and women at Pioneer Park last Thursday as troops from JBLM received the royal treatment from local businesses and volunteers at the annual Salute to the Troops.  There was even an old fashioned pie eating contest with some interesting participants:  General Ryan, Puyallup Councilman Swanson, and State Representatives Ziger and Hunt.  When all was said and done....or eaten.....Councilman Tom Swanson raised his hands in victory! 

Many of our Chamber members supported the event and joined in the fun at the military celebration.  Congratulations to AUSA and Eric Kantor for an all American community celebration.  Read Carlene Joseph's recap of the event below.

Eric Kantor instructs participants about the rules in the Pie Eating Contest.
1st rule....no eating utensils.

Eric Kantor and the troops enjoy seeing Brigadier General Ryan
in the pie eating contest, sans any eating utensils.

Let the Pie Eating Begin!

Puyallup Councilman Tom Swanson wins the pie eating contest!

Cathy Morris and Debi Gregory have big smiles as they survey the crowd of military
service men and women in downtown Puyallup!

Puyallup Councilman Steve Vermillion, Mayor John Knutsen,  and  Brigadier General Kurt Ryan
discuss his strategy of pie eating at earlier contest.

Ambassador CC Lucas, Gateway Realty, and Dana Nuber, Cascade Christian Schools 

Robin Nolan from Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan

Debi Gregory and Rep. Graham Hunt

Starbucks employees volunteer at event.

4^th Annual Association of the United States Army

Captain Meriwether Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter

 “Salute to the Troops” Kicks off 

“And the winner of the first pie eating contest, is City Councilman Tom Swanson,” said Eric Kantor, the Captain Meriwether Lewis Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter President, during the 4^th Annual Salute to the Troops.  The pie eating contest was one of many fun-filled activities included in the event, which took place in Puyallup’s Pioneer Park on August 14^th. 

“Approximately 2,500 – 3,000 people attended and we continue to do this event to show our community support of military families,” Kantor went on to say.   The day included tasty treats from Starbuck’s, free Pizza, free Root Beer Floats, free games, and free rides.   In addition, several pie eating contests ensued with the players being military children, soldiers, community members, and elected officials.   “The weather was perfect too,” said the subchapter’s financial administrator, Cheryl Mamiya.

According to Cathy Morris, the subchapter’s vice president, Pablo the Pony Guy kept many of the kinds entertained by offering free pony rides and the line was always long. 

Although not originally planned, local firefighters appeared in their fire trucks and showed their appreciation to the military community by raising the American Flag.  The flag remained erect until the event ended.   Following the event, service member families were invited to attend Pioneer Park’s Concert in the Park.

Later in the day, Mayor John Knutsen; City Councilman Steve Vermillion; Puyallup-Sumner Chamber President & CEO Shelly Shlumpf; and 593^rd Expeditionary Command Commander, Brigadier General Kurt Ryan attended to join in the fun.  State Representative Hans Zeiger stayed throughout the day to volunteer his time.

The event could not be possible without the generous monetary or in-kind support from the following organizations:  Nissan USA, Puyallup Nissan, Support America’s Armed Forces, Starbucks (Devin Craig and crew), Heritage Bank, Harborstone Credit Union, Fix Auto, Strategic Advantage, Edward Jones, Windermere Realty, US Family Health Plan, DeVry University, University of Phoenix, Northwest Harley-Davidson, Puyallup Four Square Church, Baskin and Robbins, Fun balls, Trident University, Columbia Southern University, Veterans United Home Loans, Foothills Family Furniture, Bay Equity, Patriots Landing, Serenity Air, Cascade Christian Schools, Harnish Auto Family, Better Properties, Armed Forces Benefits Network, and US Family Health Plan.     

Special thanks to the Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter planning committee for ensuring the day was a morale booster for military families:   Eric Kantor, Debi Gregory, Leslie LaCaze, Cathy Morris, Cheryl Mamiya, Petra Karr, Tammy Hemmie, Mike Snellgrove, and Carlene Joseph (main chapter president).   “We’re already making plans for next year”, said Kantor.