Commission names World War II veteran Leo Pulley Surprise Veterans Day Parade grand marshal; community legend awards announced
August 13, 2025 | Surprise, Maricopa County, Arizona
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The Surprise Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission on Aug. 13 unanimously selected World War II Navy Seabee Leo Pulley as grand marshal of the 2025 Surprise Veterans Day Parade.
Staff said nominations were publicly solicited and that Pulley's nomination file included nine separate endorsements. A subcommittee reviewed 20 total nominations (12 new submissions plus eight previous nominations that remained active) and recommended Pulley, who lives at Fellowship Square and will be 100 years old shortly after the parade. Dr. Gwen Maxfield, a subcommittee member, told the commission she had met Pulley and described him as an active and encouraging resident who wears a veteran's cap and remains socially engaged.
The commission then approved the subcommittee's recommendation by motion and voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried.
The commission also reviewed nominations and approved winners in four Community Legend Award categories. The subcommittee recommended:
- Outstanding Youth: Leila Sky West (five nominations received for youth category; first year youth were nominated)
- Organization of the Year: A New Leaf West Valley Housing Assistance Center (14 nominations received; WVHAC opened July 2023 as the city's family emergency shelter)
- Volunteer of the Year: Ali and Gary Klein, Friends of Surprise Library (subcommittee said the friends raised more than $900,000 in philanthropic support returned to the community)
- Individual Legend: Connie Whitlock, founder/executive director of WAM Art Center (recognized for veteran art programs and programming for people with dementia and disabilities)
The commission moved and seconded approval of the full slate and adopted it by voice vote.
Staff said nominations were publicly solicited and that Pulley's nomination file included nine separate endorsements. A subcommittee reviewed 20 total nominations (12 new submissions plus eight previous nominations that remained active) and recommended Pulley, who lives at Fellowship Square and will be 100 years old shortly after the parade. Dr. Gwen Maxfield, a subcommittee member, told the commission she had met Pulley and described him as an active and encouraging resident who wears a veteran's cap and remains socially engaged.
The commission then approved the subcommittee's recommendation by motion and voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried.
The commission also reviewed nominations and approved winners in four Community Legend Award categories. The subcommittee recommended:
- Outstanding Youth: Leila Sky West (five nominations received for youth category; first year youth were nominated)
- Organization of the Year: A New Leaf West Valley Housing Assistance Center (14 nominations received; WVHAC opened July 2023 as the city's family emergency shelter)
- Volunteer of the Year: Ali and Gary Klein, Friends of Surprise Library (subcommittee said the friends raised more than $900,000 in philanthropic support returned to the community)
- Individual Legend: Connie Whitlock, founder/executive director of WAM Art Center (recognized for veteran art programs and programming for people with dementia and disabilities)
The commission moved and seconded approval of the full slate and adopted it by voice vote.
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