About Us
Our Executive Board
Our entirely volunteer group works tirelessly to raise awareness, build community outreach, and help the fundraising campaign for Arizona Heroes Memorial to meet its goals. The Board includes:
- Dick Eggerding, Founder, President & Chair
- Alan Dankwerth, Treasurer & Director
- Kay Williams, Vice President & Director
- Steve Didio, Vice President & Director
- Vickie Shoopman, Vice President & Director
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our entirely volunteer group works tirelessly to raise awareness, build community outreach, and help the fundraising campaign for Arizona Heroes Memorial to meet its goals. The Board includes:
Dick Eggerding
Founder, President & Chair Emeritus
Steve Didio
President Elect 2025 – Present
Alan Dankwerth
Treasurer & Director
Kay Williams
Vice President & Director
Vickie Shoopman
Vice President & Director
Otton Suarez
Senior VP
Our Ambassadors
Ambassadors are highly regarded and well-connected members of the community. They represent the memorial and use their resources to engage with others to financially support the memorial. Ambassadors are appointed by senior members of the memorial team to assist in our mission.
Honorary Chair
Dr. Richard Carmona
Our Executive Director
Lisa M. Hopper
Lisa handles the day-to-day operations, media relations, board development, community outreach, and awareness. She spearheaded the 2022 capital campaign initiative to raise $2.5 million to build the memorial. She oversees the construction process and expanded education and outreach programs.
A Letter From Our Chair
I am writing on behalf of the Arizona Heroes Memorial. We have more than 400,000 veterans, active military, and first responders in Southern AZ alone. These men and women, fallen and living, had and still have a critical role in both past and present conflicts. Despite their sacrifices, the individuals often have not received the recognition they deserve.
A group of Arizonans recognized the need for a special place in which to honor, remember and memorialize our veterans and first responders. The memorial will be a picturesque venue where visitors, residents, and schoolchildren can learn about the services these men and women give. The Memorial will be a hallowed place honoring those brave, outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to ensuring our values and security. The Memorial is unique to all of Arizona.
The Memorial contains art, monuments, and landscaping symbolic to all branches of the Department of Defense, First Responders, and Healthcare Workers. By creating such a place where people gather to remember and learn, we honor the past and educate future generations about the meaning of service and sacrifice to our country and communities.
We rely on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our greater community. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year from your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) or simply as a tax-deductible contribution. As a 501(c)3, the Memorial qualifies as a charitable deduction not subject to Federal income tax, maximizing your donation. Your support is critical to this one-of-a-kind Memorial.
Thank you for your support –
Dick Eggerding
Founder, President & Chair, Arizona Heroes Memorial
Other Ways to Leave a Legacy
The following items remain available for sponsorship, allowing individuals and/or corporations to leave their legacy at a tribute site where tourists will visit for generations to come.
Includes a 6″x6″ Bronze plaque at base for you to personalize.
Legacy Trees – 13 remain @ $5,000 each
Email us at azheroesmemorial@gmail.com to secure a LEGACY today!
Dec 13–25: Annual Arizona Heroes Memorial Winter Wreath Display (12-day event)
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SAVE THE DATE: Sat. Dec 5th 2026 - OVCC Charity Classic Fundraising Event for AZ Heroes Memorial (off-site golf tournament)
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Nov–Dec: Annual End of Year Giving Opportunity
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Dec 20: Space Force Observance
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