Sergeant Dale Glendenning served with the 16th Bomber Wing in World War II. (Courtesy Dave Rosenfeld)

By Lucie Flagg | 5:22 PM May 25, 2022 MST | Updated 5:22 PM May 25, 2022 MST

The Gilbert community will celebrate the 100th birthday of World War II Army Air Sgt. Dale Glendenning on May 28 with a drive-by of the veteran's home. All friends, neighbors and fellow veterans are invited to participate in a drive-by celebration for Glendenning, who served with the 16th Bomber Wing. Mayor Brigette Peterson was first notified of this day when Glendenning’s daughter posted about his upcoming birthday in a local Facebook group, Go Gilbert. Peterson requested that Dave Rosenfeld, vice chairperson of Gilbert’s Veterans Advisory Board, plan a gathering for the occasion. “The community is asked to participate if they would like to wish [Glendenning] a very happy birthday,” Peterson said at the Gilbert Town Council meeting May 24. Staging for this event will be at New Hope Community Church, 1380 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert. Anyone interested in participating may arrive at the church at 9 a.m. to line up their cars. At 10 a.m., those lined up will drive directly to Glendenning’s house at 1249 E. San Angelo Ave., Gilbert. USAA will be donating a birthday cake to the family, and Card My Yard , a company that creates large, celebratory yard signs, will provide a sign in Glendenning’s yard for the event, Rosenfeld said. The American Legion Riders and other motorcycle and historic vehicle clubs, including military vehicles, are expected to participate in the drive-by, Rosenfeld said. Peterson and the Gilbert Police and Fire & Rescue departments will be in attendance as well to aid in preparation for the event and support the veteran. After wishing Glendenning a happy birthday, participants will exit his neighborhood onto Val Vista Drive and continue on their own way from there. Those unable to attend the drive-by celebration are invited to send him a birthday card to 1249 E. San Angelo Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234. No road closures are expected for the event.

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