Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society

The Society is proud to announce Christian “Miguel” Comas Arenas as the recipient of our Veteran Family Member Scholarship. 🇺🇸 📚

Miguel is a freshman at the University of Arizona majoring in Nursing with a plan to specialize in pediatrics. As a military brat, his family included military service members, healthcare workers, and civil servants. He learned about the significant impact that quality healthcare has on others through his family and was inspired by his uncle, a Registered Nurse and vocational program instructor, further reinforcing his choice to pursue a medical career.

The Society, in partnership with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, is proud to award the Robert J. Puskar Scholarship to Erik Romero! 🎓 🇺🇸

Erik is a Marine Corps veteran, having completed two deployments to Iraq. Originally from a small town in Mexico, he is also a first-generation college student and attends ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business. After serving in the Marines, Erik pursued a degree in Financial Planning with the goal of empowering underserved communities through financial education.

The Society is deeply saddened to share this announcement of the passing of COL Bruce Crandall, Medal of Honor Recipient. COL Crandall was also a member of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2007.

It is with profound sadness that the Congressional Medal of Honor Society shares the passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Bruce P. Crandall, U.S. Army (Ret.), who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. He passed away peacefully at his home on May 31, 2026, at the age of 93.

A legendary Army aviator, Colonel Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for repeatedly flying his UH-1 Huey helicopter into intense enemy fire on November 14, 1965, to deliver critical ammunition and evacuate wounded Soldiers. Completing 22 flights through relentless enemy fire, his actions saved countless lives and became one of the most celebrated acts of courage in Army aviation history.

With Colonel Crandall's passing, there are now 63 living Medal of Honor Recipients.

Please join us in extending our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Crandall family.

To learn more about Colonel Crandall's remarkable life and legacy, visit: https://www.cmohs.org/news-events/press-releases/passingofbrucecrandall/

We are proud to recognize Alain Monroy as one of our AVHOFS Veteran scholarship recipients! 🇺🇸 📚

He began his career being commissioned through ROTC and then served in the Army with the 82nd Airborne and 25th Infantry Divisions. During a combat deployment to Afghanistan, he witnessed the mental and emotional strain of sustained high-stress operations, and the reintegration challenges soldiers face when returning home leading him to pursue a master’s degree in social work at ASU.

Alain plans to return to active duty as an Army Behavioral Health Officer, continuing his commitment to support the well-being of those who serve.

Congratulations to Ian Burton, another one of our recipients of the AVHOFS Copper Lamp of Knowledge Veteran Scholarship. 🎓🇺🇸

Ian is a Tucson native who joined the Navy and served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, deploying to Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Freedom. He became interested in Industrial Design during his time in the Navy and subsequently started his degree program at ASU where he won multiple industrial design excellence awards. Ian currently serves in the Army National Guard as an Infantryman and works as a VA Work Study at ASU’s Office of Veteran and Military Academic Engagement.

The Society congratulates Emily Tea, one of the recipients of our Veteran Scholarships, which were presented during the 19th Annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon. 🎓



As an enlisted soldier in the Arizona Army National Guard, Emily is the first in her family to serve in the military and a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accountancy at Arizona State University. She has excelled academically and has been recognized on the Dean’s List each semester. After graduation, Emily will begin to pursue a career in forensic accounting and financial investigations to detect and prevent financial fraud.

Memorial Day...a day of remembrance. Members of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society joined the veteran community for this year's service at the National Memorial Cemetery.

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Arizona is proud to have been home to countless courageous service members whose sacrifices helped protect the freedoms we cherish today. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on and remember the legacy of these American heroes.

Congratulations to Jena Lee, another one of our AVHOFS recipients of the Copper Lamp of Knowledge Scholarship. ✨🇺🇸

A Senior at Hamilton High School, Jena has dedicated more than 750 volunteer hours to serving her community through a wide range of causes. As President of her school’s Imprints of Honor chapter, she works to preserve veterans’ stories and recognize their sacrifices through meaningful storytelling and service.

Jena plans to study law and political science in college with the goal of becoming a lawyer focused on helping others through advocacy and leadership.

The Society proudly congratulates Madison Lynn Plante on earning one of our Copper Lamp of Knowledge Scholarships. 📚

A Senior at Payson High School, Madison has been involved with Imprints of Honor for the past three years, serving as her chapter’s current Editor-in-Chief while helping preserve veterans’ stories for future generations. She has also played an active role in community events including Veterans Day and Wreaths Across America ceremonies.

Maintaining a 3.9 GPA throughout high school, Madison plans to pursue a degree in English and hopes to become an English professor in the future.