Valley residents honor veterans

By Sarah Keyes
Contributing Writer
Published on Sunday, November 15, 2009 8:39 AM MST

The annual Veterans Day ceremony featured local leaders and veterans who remembered the sacrifices of those who have served or are serving the United States of America.

The ceremony was held at the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month as proclaimed in 1918 by President Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day, or as it is known and celebrated today, Veterans Day. Those observing the tradition gathered near the war memorials in front of the Graham County Courthouse.

Veterans Day is observed to honor the veterans of all wars. Armistice Day, defined “a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the warring parties,” became a federal holiday in the United States in the year 1938.

Gila Valley residents honor the veterans listed on the monuments in front of the courthouse. Photo by Sarah Keyes

At the local event, many veterans spoke about their service and that of their comrades. As Mayor Ron Green said as he spoke on the beautiful Wednesday morning of Veterans Day, “The men and women of our country ask so very little but give so very much.”

People gathered to remember those who had given their dedication — and for some, their lives — in U.S. wars.

Steve Oller, Honor Guard commander, led the ceremony. The Boy Scouts hoisted the flag, and after Barbara Ballard opened with a prayer, Victoria Sims led the crowd in singing the national anthem.

Kat Sticklin from the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary said everyone should “Show the world you are proud to be an American.” Soon after she spoke, members of the Ladies Auxiliary laid bouquets in front of the memorials in honor of those who gave their lives.

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1 comment(s)

lita wrote on Nov 15, 2009 8:53 PM:

" after the veterans day ceremony i took my family to visit my dads gravesite at the thatcher cemetary and it was very sad that there were NO FLAGS waving. It was as though those veterans had been forgotten. "

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