Armed forces veterans were honored yesterday with a parade down Main Street in Safford that ended at the County Courthouse. American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32 Conducted its annual memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Courthouse. The EAC marching band performed on the steps of the Courthouse while people gathered for the program.
Veteran Mick Ruiz gave remarks about service in the armed forces. Sharon Watson sang military songs for each branch of the armed forces and invited veterans of those branches to stand during the song.
The annual ceremony is a chance to remind the public of the sacrifices made by members of all branches of the armed services, and show support for those in active duty.
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.
