SAFFORD — For the fourth year in a row, the Gila Valley is demonstrating its patriotism with the Field of Honor, leading up to Friday’s Veterans Day celebration.
“We had 150 flags on (Safford) City Hall lawn that first year. This year, we’ll have about 500,” said Chris Gibbs with the Safford Lions Club.
The Field of Honor was started in 2019 by former Safford City Manager and Lions Club member Horatio Skeete. Residents place a flag in honor of a family member or friend who served or is currently serving in any branch of the United State military. A tag naming the veteran or active-duty member of the military is attached to the flag pole.
The Field of Honor proved so popular with Gila Valley residents, the City Hall filled and flags are also displayed on the lawn of the Graham County Courthouse.
The 2022 Field of Honor started Saturday, Nov. 5, and runs through Sunday. Nov. 13.
There are a number of Veterans Day celebrations planned for the Gila Valley.
On Thursday, at 10 a.m., Pima Unified School District will conduct its annual Veterans Day program. And at 11 a.m., the Associated Students of Eastern Arizona College will conduct a Veterans Day celebration at the clock tower in the center of the Thatcher Campus. The event will feature the EAC Marching Band and Choir.
On Friday, starting at 10:30 a.m., the Gila Valley Veterans Day Parade will take place on Safford’s Main Street, running west from 3rd Avenue and Main Street to the Graham County Courthouse. Then, at 11:11 a.m., the Veterans Day presentation will take place on the steps of the Courthouse, remembering the holiday’s origin as Armistice Day celebrating the end of World War I, to today’s focus of honoring all of America’s veterans, regardless of when they served.
Following the event at the Courthouse, free lunches will be served to veterans at both American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32 and the Graham County Senior Center.
“It’s important to celebrate, because someone — a veteran — is going out there and putting their all on the line so that we may enjoy these freedoms,” Gibbs said.
