SAFFORD — “Let’s commit to doing more than just celebrating our veterans today; let’s honor them in our actions every day,” said Eric Bejarano, the featured speaker at the Safford Veteran’s Day ceremony Monday.
On the steps of the Graham County Courthouse, Bejarano, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and currently serves at assistant city manager for the City of Safford, said there are things we can do every day to help those who have served in a branch of the military.
“Support them in their transition back into civilian life, listen to their stories, and recognize their unique skills that they bring to our community,” Bejarano said.
American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32 Commander Eric Taylor said that participation in the American Military is down, and the number of active-duty military members comprises just one-half of 1 percent of the United States’ population.
“In 1980, about 18 percent of U.S. adults were veterans. Today, it’s approximately 5 percent,” Taylor said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Sunday was the Marine Corps’249th birthday, and Bejarano celebrated with a Marine tradition — a cake cut with a Marine sword, and the first piece given to the oldest Marine in attendance. After he takes a bite, he passes it to the youngest attending Marine.
“This represents the passing of experience and knowledge from old to young in the Corps,” Bejarano said.
The oldest Marine was Frederick Sainz, 86, who served 1956-79, and the youngest was Keith Vigus, 28, who is currently serving, having enlisted in 2021.
“I’ve been to a lot of Marine Corps birthdays, but there’s always somebody older than I am,” Sainz said. “You know, it’s always nice to see my fellow Marines.”
Graham County Supervisor Paul David offered the opening and closing prayers; Maggie Brown and Isabella Schnebly sang the national anthem; and Maigan Ferrin read her winning entry in the inaugural Field of Honor Essay Contest, about her great-grandfather who served and was a prisoner of war during World War II.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Prior to the ceremony about 25 entries took part in the Safford Veterans Day Parade down Main Street.
Veterans Day started in 1919 as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of the Great War (World War I). In 1938, Armistice Day became a legal holiday.
In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans of American conflicts and, in 1968, it was moved to a Monday in October to create a three-day holiday weekend.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the requirement that Veterans Day always be celebrated on Nov. 11.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
On Tuesday, at 11 a.m., the Associated Students of Eastern Arizona College will conduct a Veteran’s Day celebration on the college’s middle campus, at the Clock Tower.
Performing will be the EAC Marching Band and the A Cappella Choir.
