By Jon Johnson
PIMA — The Town of Pima is preparing for a deeply meaningful community gathering to dedicate its newly enhanced World War II Memorial, ensuring that the profound sacrifices of the town’s Greatest Generation are permanently etched into the heart of the Gila Valley.
The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 8 a.m. at 116 S. Main St. in Pima, directly across from Pima Elementary School. During the event, the town will unveil its monument, which is set to be installed on Monday and is one of the final touches to the memorial.
A Heavy Toll: The Backstory of the Pima 27
The memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the “Pima 27”—the 27 local young men from Pima who lost their lives while serving in World War II.
According to historical records, out of a population of just 867 residents recorded in the 1940 U.S. Census, the town lost approximately 3% of its population during the global conflict. Historians and local veterans note that this staggering proportion gave small-town Pima one of the highest per-capita losses of any community in the entire United States during World War II.
The project builds upon a foundational veterans flagpole dedicated at Heritage Park in 2011, spearheaded by local advocate C.B. Fletcher, who has long championed preserving the memory of the town’s immense sacrifice. Evolving from early student-designed concepts at Pima High School, the memorial was intentionally relocated to a prominent Main Street location for maximum visibility and community connection.
Years in the Making: Construction and New Additions
The memorial has been a multi-year community priority championed by town leadership, including Town Manager Vernon Batty. A major financial boost came in 2024 when the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties awarded the town a $113,400 grant to help bring the vision to life.
While major infrastructure—including concrete pouring, block wall construction, flagpole installations, and extensive landscaping by Peterson Landscaping featuring grass, rockwork, and circular brick walking paths—was completed earlier this year, the upcoming dedication will showcase the site’s completed artistic elements.
When attendees gather for the ceremony, they will be able to view the fully realized memorial features, which include:
- Etched Granite Slabs: Permanently bearing the names of all 27 fallen servicemen.
- Metal Sculptures and Centerpiece: Striking artistic elements and monument features integrated into the design by Rick Merrill.
- The Memorial Mural: A powerful backdrop painted by local muralist Brandt Woods along the back block wall, designed to honor the era’s historical gravity.
- Benches and Community Space: Designed for quiet reflection and educational gatherings.
The memorial site shares its footprint with a park and a designated pad for the future Pima Library building, purposefully pairing a place of historic remembrance with a pillar of community education and future growth.
Event Details
Community members, veterans, families, and regional leaders are invited to attend the morning ceremony to pay their respects and reflect on the courage of Pima’s fallen heroes:
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 (Veterans Day)
- Time: 8 a.m.
- Location: 116 S. Main St., Pima, AZ
