Ciscomani Honors Local Heroes at Sixth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, Meets with Veterans Advisory Council

Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani recognized 27 local veterans and a longtime veteran advocate during his sixth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, celebrating their ongoing dedication to the Southern Arizona community. In addition, Congressman Ciscomani convened his Veterans Advisory Council to provide a legislative update and listen directly to local veterans on the issues impacting them and their families.

"It was truly a privilege to recognize these 27 hometown heroes for their continued service and leadership in our communities. Together, they represent more than 430 years of military service, and their commitment to serving others did not end when they took off the uniform. It was also an honor to recognize a strong veteran advocate in our community who has dedicated decades to supporting Southern Arizona's veterans," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. "I also had the opportunity to meet with my Veterans Advisory Council to hear firsthand about the challenges facing our local veteran community. I will continue bringing these priorities to Washington and fighting to ensure our veterans and their families receive the benefits, resources, and support they have earned."

The honorees represented Cochise, Graham, Pima, and Pinal counties, with service spanning the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Each recipient received an award certificate and challenge coin. Additionally, Vietnam War veterans also received a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin in recognition of their service.

For the first time, Ciscomani also presented a posthumous award to honor William Porter. After Porter's daughter, Linda, sought help obtaining her father's military medals, the office secured a Presidential Unit Citation Award for presentation to her and continued working to confirm his military rank at separation.

Ciscomani's sixth Veteran Servant Leader Awards recognized 28 honorees:

• Ben Buehler-Garcia, Civilian, Veteran Advocate Award
• Frank Antenori, U.S. Army
• Gaeton Briseno, U.S. Army
• Sue Browning, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran
• David Caballero, U.S. Marine Corps
• William Corner, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Veteran
• Dan Ferguson, U.S. Marine Corps
• Dale Hadfield, U.S. Army
• Rich Ingleby, U.S. Army
• Mike Jenkins, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran
• Joseph Kaplan, U.S. Army
• James Kelly, U.S. Army
• Dennis Keys, U.S. Navy
• Ben Knuckles, U.S. Army
• Linda Ludvigson, U.S. Army
• Regina Marlin, U.S. Army
• Phillip McCluskey, U.S. Army
• John Murphy, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran
• Jim Murphy, U.S. Air Force
• David Reno, U.S. Navy
• David Robinson, U.S. Air Force
• Walter Saeger, U.S. Air Force
• William Sobeck, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Veteran
• Les South, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran
• Robert Suhay, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran
• Christopher David Valdez, U.S. Marine Corps
• Jake Weaver, U.S. Air Force
• William Porter, U.S. Army, Posthumous Award

Congressman Ciscomani has held five previous Veteran Servant Leader Awards, in October 2024, April 2025, November 2025, and in May and August of this year.

Read local coverage of Ciscomani's sixth Veteran Servant Leader Awards HERE.

Ciscomani represents nearly 80,000 veterans in Arizona's Sixth Congressional District. Since taking office in 2023, his office has returned more than $9 million to local veterans through congressional casework, helping constituents resolve issues involving VA benefits, survivor benefits, and TRICARE. Beyond casework, Ciscomani is advancing legislation to address gaps in veterans' benefits, education, and health care. He has introduced four veterans-focused bills:

• Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 (H.R. 3951), which expands the types of licensed health care professionals who can conduct VA disability exams, helping rural veterans access evaluations closer to home.
• VETS Opportunity Act (H.R. 1458), which expands Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to include hybrid skilled-trade training programs, helping veterans prepare for in-demand careers.
• Prioritizing Veterans Survivors Act (H.R. 1228), which strengthens the VA's Office of Survivor Assistance to better support veterans' surviving family members.
• AIR CARE for Vets Act (H.R. 9666), which establishes a pilot program using advanced four-dimensional functional lung imaging to improve the identification of respiratory disorders and lung diseases linked to military service.

Ranked as the most bipartisan member from the Arizona congressional district, through his work on the House Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations Committees, Ciscomani is working to ensure veterans have access to the care, benefits, and resources they have earned. By listening directly to veterans, supporting their families, and advancing legislation to address their needs, he remains committed to delivering results for those who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation.

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