Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council
Milestone 50th Anniversary
50th Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon
Celebrating Five Decades of Service, Community, and Excellence
May 15, 2026 | DoubleTree Hotel Denver
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this milestone celebration.
With Gratitude To
Our Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Medallion
Service
Legacy
Media
Printed Program
Keynote Speaker
Award & Honoree Recognition Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
Centerpiece: Fairfield Inn & Suites Aurora/Parker • Photography: Children's Hospital Colorado • Balloons: Twisted Sisters Balloon Decor
Table Sponsors
Aurora Economic Development Council • Aurora Municipal Court Administration • Aurora Police Department • DeNovo Solutions • Nelnet • UMB • University of Denver • Visit Aurora • Westway Enterprises, LLC
Award Winner Goody Bag Sponsors
Bally's Arapahoe Park • Mr. Ron Cole • Fairfield Inn by Marriott Aurora/Parker • DoorDash • Texas Roadhouse • USMC Memorial Foundation • Nothing Bundt Cakes
A Milestone Celebration
Honoring Excellence in Service
On May 15, 2026, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce's Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council (BRMAC) hosted the 50th Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon, a milestone celebration honoring enlisted military personnel across the active, guard, reserve, and Commonwealth forces who have demonstrated excellence in service and meaningful contributions to the local community.
This landmark program highlighted those who go above and beyond not only in their military duties, but through volunteerism, leadership, and engagement that positively impacts the lives of others outside the uniform.
For 50 years, this event has been the Greater Buckley Region's signature occasion to celebrate service members who embody leadership, community spirit, and dedication in every aspect of their lives.
Moments from the 50th
Event Highlights
Recognizing Our Own
George Peck — Promises Kept
For roughly half of this event's 50-year history, George Peck has delivered a live military tribute that has become the heartbeat of the Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon. This year, his tribute was captured on film for the first time as a video entitled Promises Kept, ensuring his words and his work will be part of this tradition not just for the next 25 years, but forever.
Rick Crandall — ADC Defense Community Champion
The Association of Defense Communities represents more than 300 military communities nationwide. Their Defense Community Champion Award is their highest individual honor. This year, they gave it to the man who has been standing on this stage for years making sure every name gets read and every service member in the room feels seen.
Rick was recognized nationally at the ADC Summit in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. But this was his home. This was his event. And we were not letting another day go by without giving him his flowers in front of the community that knows him best.
A Lasting Tribute
Each award recipient received a commemorative brick recognizing them as a 2026 Armed Forces Recognition Award recipient. A matching engraved paver will be placed at the Colorado Freedom Memorial Visitor and Education Center, a lasting tribute in a space dedicated to remembrance, reflection, and learning. Their brick will be there not just when installed, but for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
The Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council announced a new partnership with Project Sanctuary, supported by Lockheed Martin, to launch a transition pilot program for military families in fall 2026. The program will bring together Project Sanctuary's proven retreat model with connections to VA benefits support and committed employers to reach families before the gaps become emergencies.
A Night Sky for the Ages
With his retirement from the United States Space Force just weeks away, the Aurora Chamber and BRMAC presented Major General Devin Pepper with a framed map of the night sky over Buckley Air Force Base on December 20, 2019, the night the United States Space Force stood up. His wife Alicia received a bracelet crafted from that same night sky, inscribed: "Same stars. Same night. None of it without you."
Civilian Leadership Award
Bob Cardenas Award
The Bob Cardenas Award is presented annually to a civilian who best emulates the spirit of Bob Cardenas, someone who has worked to make the lives of military members and their families better while they serve in the Greater Buckley Region.
Su Ryden
2026 Recipient
2026 Honorees
Armed Forces Recognition Award Recipients
The Armed Forces Recognition Award is presented to enlisted service members, E-6 and below, who exemplify excellence both in uniform and in their local community through professionalism, volunteerism, leadership, and dedication to the civilian-military connection.
United States Army
SPC Jack Dunn
743d Military Intelligence Battalion
United States Marine Corps
SSgt Aric Hanner
4th Distribution Support Battalion
SSgt Claire Lybrand
Company A, Marine Corps Support Battalion
Finalist
SGT Chase Nicholes, 4th Distribution Support Battalion
United States Navy
PS1 Nikita Sheline
Navy Reserve Center Denver
Finalists
PS3 Nicholes Hurd, Navy Reserve Center Denver • CT2 Brett Roberson, Navy Information Operations Command, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado
United States Air Force
TSgt Gabrianna Bonilla
HQ Air Reserve Personnel Center
TSgt Angie Luce
233d Space Group, Colorado Air National Guard
A1C David Godwin
460th Contracting Squadron
Finalists
SSgt Shaunie Hoapili, 460th Medical Group • TSgt Jacob Rios, HQ Readiness and Integration Organization • SSgt Tenisha Moore, Space Base Delta 2 Legal Office
United States Space Force
TSgt Theresa Poviboon
201st Space Operations Squadron, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado
United States Coast Guard
IS3 Jeyden Clancy
Coast Guard Cryptologic Unit Colorado
Keynote Speaker
Major General Devin R. Pepper
We were honored to welcome Major General Devin R. Pepper, United States Space Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Policy at NATO's Supreme Allied Command Transformation, as the keynote speaker for the 50th Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon.
General Pepper previously commanded the 460th Space Wing and Buckley Garrison, right here in the Greater Buckley Region.
A career space and missile operations officer, General Pepper enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1989, received his commission through Officer Training School in 1996, and transferred to the U.S. Space Force in 2021. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School and the National War College.
Event Details
About the Event
Date & Time
Friday, May 15, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location
DoubleTree Hotel Denver
3203 Quebec St
Denver, CO 80207
Keynote
Maj Gen Devin R. Pepper
United States Space Force
Relive the Day
Event Photos
Photography by Noelle Williams Photography
Watch
Event Highlights
Relive the moments from the 50th Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon.
A Lasting Tribute
Colorado Freedom Memorial
Each honoree received a commemorative brick with a matching engraved paver placed at the Colorado Freedom Memorial Visitor and Education Center, a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.
You can be part of this legacy. Purchase a brick or donate today to honor a loved one and support the building of this meaningful tribute to those who serve.
Visit Colorado Freedom MemorialLooking Back
Event Archives
Fifty years of honoring those who serve. Explore past Armed Forces Recognition Luncheons and the service members we've been proud to celebrate.
Thank You for 50 Years
Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and community members who made the 50th Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon possible. Together, we honored the outstanding enlisted service members who make a difference every day in their formations and in our community.
Interested in the 51st Annual AFRL?
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities for next year's event will be available soon.
Contact Rob DevallQuestions? rdevall@aurorachamber.org