Juan Ciscomani: “I rise today to honor Mr. Stuart ``Stu'' Carter, a veteran, a pillar of the Sierra Vista community, and a friend to so…”

“I rise today to honor Mr. Stuart ``Stu'' Carter, a veteran, a pillar of the Sierra Vista community, and a friend to so many, who sadly passed away in November of 2025. Stu Carter exemplified a life of service. He was a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel. He dedicated more than 45 years to military and Federal service. Even after retiring, Stu continued giving back, combining his passion for cycling with a deep commitment to supporting fellow veterans. In 2017, Stu founded VeloVets Sierra Vista, a nonprofit that provides disabled veterans with adaptive bicycles and a supportive community to help them regain mobility and also connection. Laura and I were honored to ride with Stu and the VeloVets in 2024 and again this past December for the inaugural Stu Carter Memorial Ride held in his honor. Through VeloVets, Stu became a vital resource for veterans living with physical injuries and PTSD. He also served as the President of Cochise Bicycle Advocates, helping secure grants that brought dozens of bikes, bike racks, and bicycles to Sierra Vista and improved cycling safety and accessibility. Beyond cycling, Stu served numerous organizations, including the Air Force Association of Arizona, the Sierra Vista Commission on Disability Issues, the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation, and the Volunteer Interfaith Caregiving Program. He is remembered for his compassion, organization, and tireless dedication to others, as well.…”