Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The Gila Valley Honor Guard stands at attention at the beginning of the Gila Valley Veterans Day celebration on Monday.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – With the addition of the “Field of Honor”, there was renewed interest and increased attendance at this year’s Veterans Day celebration in Downtown Safford.
After a parade and music from local marching bands, the annual program got underway and included the traditional laying of the wreaths at the base of the commemorative rock/plaques for those killed in service to our country.
Gila Valley Color Guard Commander Steve Oller presided over the festivities and gave a brief history of how Veterans Day became a holiday that is honored in all 50 states.
Jon Johnson Video/Gila Herald
Guest speakers included former Safford Mayor and retired Air Force Chris Gibbs, Safford Councilman and retired Marine Richard Ortega, an impromptu poem reading by Gale Barney, and a surprise visit by Joe Sorrelman, the last of the “Morenci Nine”, a group of eight classmates and one older who enlisted in the Marines in July 1966. Only three of the nine returned home alive, and the other two, Leroy Cisneros and Mike Cranford, died premature deaths after making it back. The six deceased included Bobby Draper, Stanley King, Van Whitmer, Larry West, Jose Moncayo, and Clive Garcia Jr.
Gibbs recalled being at the Utah Beach Cemetery for the 40th anniversary of D-Day and meeting Dutch freedom fighters who had battled in WWII.
“At that time, I understood almost immediately the reason I had joined the military,” Gibbs said. “These gentlemen were willing to give everything to protect their nation and our world. I understood also that we – America – can’t protect ourselves if we don’t put our power forward and protect others.”
Barney approached the podium unannounced and, after receiving permission, hummed “Taps” before reciting the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, written by Canadian physician Lieutenant John McCrae.
To end the celebration, the group “Tribute” with Sharon Watson and her daughters, Amanda Howard and Brianna Watson, sang a medley of the Armed Forces songs in honor of the veterans in attendance.
Click here to view a photo album of the ceremony.