By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Under clear November skies, the streets of Downtown Safford came alive with patriotism on Tuesday as residents gathered for the annual Veterans Day Parade and Program, honoring the sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The event, held at the heart of the community, featured poignant speeches, a ceremonial cake cutting, and calls for continued support for veterans and their families, drawing a crowd of locals, veterans, and supporters.
The event began with a parade down Main Street, with more than 25 entries making their way to the Graham County Courthouse and the Field of Honor flag display there and at Safford City Hall.
After the parade, the annual Veterans Day Program was held at the courthouse.
John Graves, Commander of American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32, opened the program with a stirring address that wove together tales of heroism from World War I to recent domestic crises, underscoring the enduring bond of service. “It is a brotherhood. It is a sisterhood. A bond cemented with blood,” Graves said, recounting the story of Sgt. William Shemin, a Jewish soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2015, nearly a century after his actions in France.
Shemin, Graves explained, repeatedly braved enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades over three days, even after sustaining a head wound, refusing medical aid until his platoon was safe. Despite recommendations for the Medal of Honor, discrimination led to its downgrade to the Distinguished Service Cross. Shemin’s humble response? “War is not about medals. I love my country. I love my men. That’s all that counts.”
Graves highlighted modern examples of valor, including six soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart, Georgia, who subdued an active shooter this summer, preventing fatalities. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll praised them as “everything that is good about this nation.” He also lauded Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin, who led efforts during devastating flash floods in Central Texas on July 4, 2025, saving 169 lives at Camp Mystic amid the tragedy that claimed 138, mostly young girls at summer camp.
Turning to veterans’ broader impact, Graves noted that while only 6% of American adults have served, they disproportionately fill roles in police, fire departments, and other essential services. “When an emergency hits, there’s a good chance that it is a veteran who is first to respond,” he said. Veterans, he added, vote at higher rates, volunteer more, and experience lower poverty levels, making communities stronger.
Graves issued a sobering call to action on mental health, citing Department of Veterans Affairs data showing more than 17 veteran suicides daily. “The American Legion believes one suicide is too many,” he urged. “Be the one to save one. Reach out to a veteran you think may be struggling… Remember the numbers: 988,” referring to the National Crisis Lifeline.
In a special introduction, Graves presented retiring First Lieutenant Ben Gardea, a Safford native with 21 years of service in the Arizona Army National Guard. Born to Richard and Marguerite Gardea, Gardea graduated from Safford High School in 1977, joined the Guard, and rose to command the 1st Platoon of the 258th Engineering Company. His unit supported the Gulf War by clearing mines and building roads and airstrips, and, stateside, they constructed infrastructure, including drone airstrips at Fort Huachuca and access roads for the Border Patrol.
Gardea’s speech expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to speak, reflecting on the nearby monument inscribed with the words, “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.” He paid homage to the U.S. military’s scale—450,000 active-duty Army personnel, 330,000 in the Navy, and so on across branches—and the nation’s history of conflicts from the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf, where approximately 953,915 soldiers have lost their lives.
“From the beginning to the present day, [soldiers] come from different walks of life… neighbors, family members, teachers or students,” Gardea said. “They all share a common desire: to ensure that this nation is protected from invasion, be it foreign or domestic.” He encouraged the audience to personally thank veterans encountered in daily life, noting the visible joy it brings. “Too many have been forgotten,” he warned.
In closing, Gardea thanked his wife, Joan, his children, Benjamin and Alicia, and his fellow engineers in the 258th Detachment. “It was a great experience… We went with pride,” he said. “God bless you, and God bless America.”
The program also featured remarks from Eric Bejarano, Safford’s Assistant City Manager and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, whose father was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Bejarano acknowledged the crowd’s support for the morning parade and the event itself, thanking all veterans present for their “courage, sacrifice, and continued service.”
Highlighting the timing, Bejarano noted that Monday marked the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps, founded on Nov. 10, 1775. Continuing a tradition started last year, he led a cake-cutting ceremony symbolizing the transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next. “The oldest Marine symbolizes the wisdom, history, and sacrifice of those who have come before. The youngest Marine represents the future of the Corps,” he explained, inviting the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance to participate. The ritual, he said, reinforces the Corps’ “values, traditions, brotherhood, and sisterhood.”
This year, the oldest Marine in attendance was Frederick Sainz, 87, and the youngest was Lance Corporal Dalton Henke, 20.
As the program concluded, attendees lingered to view memorials, including flags, reflecting on the speakers’ messages of appreciation and advocacy. For Graves, the essence of Veterans Day boils down to one truth: “All veterans have had America’s back for 250 years… humbly and proudly keeping our nation free.” In Safford, that commitment—and the community’s gratitude—remains as strong as ever.
Click here to view our Veterans Day Parade and Program photo album on Facebook.
