Guests – Michael & Bonnie Quinn, Betsy Smith

Watch on YouTube: Rockin 4 Heroes

Rockin' for Heroes: Honoring Those Who Serve

Born out of both loss and gratitude, Rockin' for Heroes stands as a powerful testament to the impact first responders have on our lives. Michael and Bonnie Quinn founded this annual event after experiencing firsthand the compassion and dedication of emergency personnel during their son PJ's battle with bone cancer.

"The final year of his life was a difficult journey, with many recurrences and reasons for us to call 911," Michael explains. "When we made that call in Oro Valley, it was Golder Ranch Fire and Oro Valley Police that came. They were reliable, timely, compassionate, and professional—everything you would ever need in that kind of experience."

What makes their story even more poignant is that PJ passed during COVID, when restrictions made an already devastating situation even more challenging. "It was one of our fears in the back of our mind that he would pass in the hospital alone," recalls Michael. "Every time he went in, we weren't allowed to go with him. His wife wasn't allowed in. He actually went in for brain surgery a couple months before he passed, and he went in by himself."

Despite these challenges, PJ embodied remarkable courage. "He taught me the meaning of courage," Michael shares. "If you'd ever ask him how he was doing, he'd say, 'I'm living the dream.' He always said that, and it encouraged us to be strong too."

After PJ's passing, the Quinns felt compelled to express their gratitude. What began as a simple idea to deliver cookies or pizza to the local fire and police stations evolved into something far greater—an event that now honors four distinct groups: first responders, active military, veterans, and Gold Star families.

"We want to raise awareness of these public servants who are serving all of us," explains Bonnie. "We want people to keep them in their top-of-mind awareness. Because you might not have that intimate personal experience that we had with first responders, but if you were going to, you would feel this same sense of gratitude."

The fifth annual Rockin' for Heroes will take place on Sunday, November 9th at James Kreig Park in Oro Valley (next to CDO High School). Gates open at 1:00 PM, and the event starts at 2:00 PM. It's completely free, with open lawn seating—just bring your folding chair. The event will feature food trucks, a beer and wine tent, and plenty of parking, including a dedicated handicap lot east of the pool closest to Oracle Road.

A Community-Driven Celebration

What makes Rockin' for Heroes truly special is its grassroots nature. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization maintains an impressive 98% efficiency rate, with only 2% going toward administrative expenses like tax returns, attorney's fees, and basic software costs.

"We're an old-school, all-volunteer organization," Michael proudly states. "We have no payroll, no expenses, no rent. Everything goes into this event and honoring these heroes."

The community support has been overwhelming. Bonnie notes, "All of our vendors are giving us special pricing. Some are donating their services. Our presenting sponsor this year is Long Realty Cares Foundation." Additional sponsors include Oro Valley Hospital, FirstNet Built by AT&T, Golder Ranch Fire District, Pima Federal Credit Union, and PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services.

In terms of entertainment, attendees can look forward to performances by Backroads, a country rock band, and a special Elvis tribute by Lonely Street Productions. "It's a mini-concert that would otherwise cost you $35-40 to attend," Michael points out.

This year's event will also include a special appearance by the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team, who will be participating in the Military Appreciation Football Game at University of Arizona Stadium the following day. The Tucson Roadrunners hockey team and their mascot Dusty will be present, along with the Marana Animal Service's comfort dogs and Oro Valley Police Department's comfort dogs.

For the kids, there will be a special zone featuring balloon artists, face painters, and other activities. Kona Ice will be on hand with their famous shaved ice.

Honoring Heroes Through Community

The impact of Rockin' for Heroes extends beyond a single day of celebration. The event creates a unique opportunity for the community to directly interact with and thank those who serve.

"Our very first year, I think we had eight or nine hundred people there," recalls Bonnie. "The second year, we had about 1,500. Last year, we had over 3,500 people attend."

The Quinns emphasize that this event isn't just about entertainment—it's about recognition. "We will have a presentation to honor all four groups of heroes," explains Michael. "We'll have a flyover by the Air National Guard. There will be honor guards. Oro Valley Police Department will present colors along with other military personnel."

The event also provides practical support for local heroes. "We're partnering with the 162nd Air National Guard this year," Bonnie shares. "We'll have a donation station for items needed by active military personnel who will be deployed during the holidays. People can bring things like toiletries, white socks, and other basic necessities."

Rockin' for Heroes has become more than just a memorial for PJ—it's evolved into a community-wide expression of gratitude and support. "It's turned into this community celebration," Michael reflects. "It's a time when we can all come together and say thank you to these incredible people who serve us every day."

Immigration Enforcement Challenges

The issue of illegal immigration and its impact on public safety continues to be a pressing concern across the United States. Recent incidents involving commercial truck drivers who are in the country illegally have highlighted serious gaps in our licensing and enforcement systems.

A particularly troubling development involves states like California issuing commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. This practice has come under intense scrutiny following several fatal accidents involving these drivers. Governor Gavin Newsom has defended this policy, despite mounting evidence of its dangers.

"These people don't care, and they're getting their driver's licenses from these blue states," one observer notes. "Gavin Newsom is proud of it. He has said we're going to keep doing this."

The situation is further complicated by officials like Nancy Pelosi, who has suggested that local law enforcement should arrest ICE agents for performing their duties in California. This stance has been characterized as "unhinged" by critics who see it as prioritizing political agendas over public safety.

What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that approximately 62,000 illegal immigrants have received commercial driver's licenses in certain states. "How many U.S. citizens have to die at the hands of people who shouldn't be in our country?" asks one concerned citizen. "We give them a license, they've been given jobs—jobs that Americans should have."

This practice not only raises safety concerns but also economic ones. Commercial driving provides lucrative employment opportunities that should be available to American citizens, including veterans who could benefit from such careers.

Some states are taking action to address these concerns. Oklahoma, for example, recently implemented special enforcement measures at truck checkpoints, administering English proficiency tests based on federal standards for commercial drivers. They also conduct thorough equipment inspections, recognizing that safety should be the paramount concern when it comes to "multi-thousand pound vehicles hurtling down the freeway."

Families who have lost loved ones to accidents involving illegal immigrants view these as "preventable deaths." Marian Mendoza, whose son was a Mesa police officer killed by an intoxicated illegal immigrant driving the wrong way on a freeway, represents just one of many tragic cases that underscore the human cost of these policies.

Critics argue that officials who enable these dangerous situations must be held accountable. "Those who gave licenses out like they were handing out candy or airline tickets or hotel rooms or $5,000 in gift cards—those people need to be held accountable because the actions of those people that were brought into this country illegally cost American lives," one commentator insists.

Community Events: Coming Together for Important Causes

Beyond political discussions, community engagement remains vital to addressing the issues that touch all our lives. This weekend offers several opportunities for Tucson residents to make a difference.

For Tucson residents with ballots for the city council election, the message is clear: "If you have a ballot on your counter, it doesn't belong there. It belongs in the mail or at a voting drop center. Please go vote. It is so important that we turn out to make sure that we let people that are running know that we care about the future of our city."

Another significant event taking place is the Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 25th at Reid Park. Beginning at 9:30 AM, this walk brings together hundreds of community members in support of those affected by Alzheimer's disease.

"Alzheimer's is a disease that doesn't have to be a death sentence anymore," notes an advocate. "Come out and join us, participate, and show your support for all the caregivers and all the people that have been afflicted by this."

These community events remind us that despite our differences, coming together for important causes strengthens our community and helps create positive change for everyone.