John Cornelius: A Veteran Champion Empowering Fellow Heroes

Clark’s Market and Pharmacy in Sedona recently presented the Rotary Club of Sedona Village with a check for $2,381 on Monday, October 28. This donation, representing 5% of collected receipts during June, will contribute to the Patient Discretionary Fund at the Bob Stump Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Prescott.

The funds aim to provide personal comfort items for long-term residents at the VA hospital, a Rotary poster indicated. Items such as velcro shoes, books, and puzzles are included, enhancing the comfort of veterans beyond what the facility typically offers.

In the past year, the Rotary Club successfully raised $15,000 for the fund through Clark’s receipts and the Cornelius Veterans Hospital Benefit Raffle. Over two decades, this raffle has amassed more than $250,000, honoring former Village of Oak Creek resident John Cornelius, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 98.

Cornelius served as a first lieutenant in the 85th Infantry Division during World War II, earning two Bronze Stars for his service in Italy and North Africa. His commitment to supporting veterans is well-documented, as he expressed in a 2011 interview, highlighting the importance of providing hospital residents with comforts not offered by the government.

The Sedona Village Rotary Club has continued Cornelius’ legacy, selling raffle tickets at Clark’s Market during key holiday weekends. Past club president Rob Schaefer, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, has taken an active role in these efforts.

“It’s about making a difference,” Schaefer noted, emphasizing the importance of their service work. He expressed the goal of raising sufficient funds to ensure that hospitalized veterans receive some additional luxuries and comforts.

In addition to fundraising, the Rotary Club is preparing for its annual Veterans Day event at Sedona Winds. The ceremony, scheduled for November 11 at 10 a.m., will include a presentation of colors and the raising of the flag, with an invocation led by Fred Mast from Cornerstone Church. Veterans will also receive pins during the presentation.

Club members plan to sell tickets for the raffle again at Clark’s Market on November 10 and 11. The Rotary Club of Sedona Village meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Sedona Public Library, located at 25 West Saddlehorn Road.

For further details, interested individuals can visit sedonavillagerotary.org/page/veterans-project.