"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news
Kathy takes you behind the scenes of a private Sept. 11 commemoration. . .
On the Friday night prior to the 10 year anniversary of the Sept 11 tragedy, in an intimate banquet room just off the ballroom at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - a very special group of VIPs gathered for dinner. And entertainer Tony Orlando treated them to a private performance of his hit songs including “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree”, “Candida” and “Knock Three Times.”
However, for this group of VIP’s the "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" song had the most impact, a particularly strong emotional impact, because this was the private pre-event for Patriot Day.
Phil Taylor, David Haddad at private reception
Patriot Day, held in north Phoenix, the following afternoon at the Paseos Highland Park was one of several commemorations around the Valley to honor the 9/11 heroes. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was one of the speakers at the Phoenix event founded by Fumar Cigar’s David Haddad.
Thousands of Arizonans pledged to never forget the sacrifices of police, firefighters and servicemen. Tony Orlando is not a stranger to many of them, including some of the VIP’s at the Friday night dinner at the Princess.
In fact, Tony’s hit song, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree” was first performed on the Bob Hope show in front of 70,000 screaming Americans welcoming home those brave heroes. The opening lines of the song, “I’m coming home, I’ve done my time,” still bring tears to many, as at Friday night’s private party at the Princess.
Capt. Jim Palmershelm at the private reception
There was a moving presentation by artist Phil Taylor (American Fallen Soldiers Project) of his artwork to the family of KFYI’s Mike Broomhead’s in memory of his brother, Tom Broomhead, killed in action in Iraq.
Michael McAvoy was also there. Michael, who was a financial planner on Wall Street on 9/11 lost his younger brother,John McAvoy, a firefighter, in the World Trade Center attacks.
Melissa Koester, Susan Munao and Toni Russell at private repection
Also on the guest list were those who had traveled on a trip to visit the troops with Tony in Iraq, including Toni Russell and Capt. Jim Palmershelm of American Airlines, Melissa Koester of Crocs Cares and Susan Munao.
The Freedom Award was presented to two World War II Aces Bud Anderson and Ralph Wandrew.
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based reporter. You can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
