Still Serving
Stories from Northwest Arkansas veterans carrying their service forward
This Veterans Day, we’re recognizing local veterans whose experiences in uniform continue to shape how they lead, serve and support others across Northwest Arkansas.
At September’s Welcoming Week NWA Veterans Appreciation Drive at Springdale Public Library, five veterans shared those lessons in their own words. The event also collected 20+ toiletry kits for unhoused veterans served by Arkansas Veterans Village.
U.S. Navy veteran Cedric Fonville documented the event as our videographer. We’re sharing his story here, alongside the stories he helped capture.
All photography is by Meredith Mashburn Photography.
Kevin Flores, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Raised in Springdale, Kevin is a former White House Fellow who lives and works in Northwest Arkansas and is an attorney with Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani.
The leaders Kevin admired most took care of the people around them and served others. He carries that example into his community and sees the National Day of Service and Remembrance as a reminder to stay involved throughout the year.
“We set this day aside to recognize it, but we should always be participating. As a community here in Northwest Arkansas, we’re only going to benefit by more civic engagement.”
Hunter Chastain, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
A Rogers native, Hunter serves as president of Arkansas Veterans Village, a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides shelter, temporary hotel stays and housing support to veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Northwest Arkansas.
Hunter talked about treating neighbors with consideration and respect. He also shared a lesson from the Marines that he applies to everyday life: prepare as much as you can, then adapt when things change.
“Pivot and make the best with what you’ve got.”
John-Rex Spivey, U.S. Navy Veteran
A Rogers native, John-Rex is the founder and president of Engage, Elevate & Inspire Strategic Advisors and resides in Rogers.
For John-Rex, taking off the uniform doesn’t end the responsibility to serve. He spoke about giving back to his community and putting his values into practice through service and leadership.
“When I think about coming home, that’s what my goal is. To be mission focused and live up to the core values of our country.”
Elena Zamora, U.S. Army Veteran
Elena was raised in South Texas and moved to Arkansas in 2001. Her career includes administrative roles in the Army National Guard, followed by work in human resources and benefits. She is now a senior EEO specialist with Tyson Foods.
Elena brought a lesson in unity home from the Army National Guard. She described what unity looks like in everyday life: being there for neighbors and offering help when someone needs it.
“What I bring back from serving in the Army National Guard is unity: being there for everybody, being there for our neighbors, our community.”
Mike Rusch, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Mike serves as CEO of Pure Charity, a nonprofit technology company and global platform based in Bentonville.
For Mike, one of the lessons of serving in the Marine Corps is that it takes all of us to make our community better. He wants to bring what he learned about working with others into his life in Northwest Arkansas.
“I want to take those principles that I’ve learned about what it means to work with others, to see everybody, to understand everybody’s role, and to work together as a community to improve this beautiful place of Northwest Arkansas.”
Behind the camera: Cedric Fonville, U.S. Navy Veteran
Cedric is the founder and CEO of NICE NWA, a digital marketing agency specializing in video production and photography.
Early in Cedric’s Navy career, a supervisor saw potential in him when he was ready to give up on his goals. With that encouragement, Cedric earned Junior Sailor of the Quarter and an early promotion. Today, he tries to offer others the same hope and encouragement.
“Sometimes, one person’s belief is all it takes to inspire someone to achieve their full potential.”
We’re grateful to Kevin, Hunter, John-Rex, Elena and Mike for sharing their experiences at the Veterans Appreciation Drive, and to Cedric for capturing their stories and sharing one of his own. Watch two of his videos below:
Thank you also to Doomsday Coffee & Roasterie, a local, veteran-owned business, for the delicious coffee and treats, and to the Springdale Public Library staff for welcoming us into their beautiful space.
