A message from our Chief Operating Officer and proud military Veteran, Nick Stengle.
Dear Sunrise Residents and Families,
On behalf of the Sunrise leadership team, it is my honor and privilege to recognize and give thanks to all team members, residents, and family members who have ever or are currently serving in the military ahead of Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada this week. Today, veterans represent a smaller and smaller percentage of the total population, yet we all acknowledge the sacrifices veterans have made, both big and small, in service to their nation and a mission far greater than themselves. This service should be a point of pride for all veterans.
While you may know me as the new Chief Operating Officer who joined the Sunrise team this summer, I, like hundreds of other team members and residents, am also a proud military veteran. I earned a commission into the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1998 and then spent the first 11 years of my career as an Air Force officer. During that time, I served as an F-15E instructor pilot, mission commander, Top Gun graduate, and Top Gun instructor pilot, and was assigned to many different duty stations and went on multiple combat and training deployments in the U.S. and around the world. The military was more than just a job for me, it was a passion. As I progressed in rank and responsibility, the mission-driven nature of the work and the concept of selfless service began to resonate with me more and more and eventually became part of my DNA. That is something I carry with me still today as an honored member of the Sunrise team.
I was ultimately drawn to Sunrise because, much like the military, it’s an organization that has a clear mission that is carried out by a group of hardworking, dedicated, highly skilled team members. Our Sunrise team shows up every day poised to provide personalized, top-notch care and make a real difference in the lives of all who call Sunrise home. The values of integrity, service, and excellence, which were central to my years in the Air Force, are all also foundational Sunrise tenets that are embraced by and reflected in the work of this amazing team.
I am also proud to be a part of an organization the prioritizes and celebrates diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging among team members and residents. This includes welcoming and paying homage to the hundreds of veterans who live and work in our communities. Among our residents are veterans from all branches of the military who served in WWII, The Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. Many of our team members veterans joined the military in the post-9/11 era, and some still serve in the National Guard and Reserves when not in their Sunrise uniforms.
Many of our communities will hold special Veterans Day and Remembrance Day events and activities this week to honor those who have served. I encourage you to share your own inspiring stories of service and sacrifice and to talk to your community leaders about how you can celebrate the Sunrise veterans in your life. Please also visit our veterans page to see how else Sunrise honors those who have served and for information on unique benefits and savings veteran residents may qualify for.
To all our veterans, I again offer my sincerest thanks and hope you have a great Veterans Day or Remembrance Day! Thank you also to Sunrise team members for serving in a different yet profoundly important way and bringing joy, care, and meaningful moments into our communities every single day.
Warm Regards,
Nick Stengle
Sunrise Chief Operating Officer