And where is she? She stands tall on an isolated rocky butte just south of Young, Arizona on Forest Service Road 512, better known as the Tall Pines to the Desert Highway. Someone very extraordinary, with a patriotic purpose and fortitude, strenuously placed Old Glory on top of a rocky butte, remotely amidst harsh topography for all the world – or at least those lucky enough to visit this area – to see and admire. She is beautiful. She is graceful. She is strong. 

 

Monday, May 31, Memorial Day 2021, is quickly approaching. It is a day of recognition and tribute to the brave men and women in the military, of all branches, past and present, who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting Old Glory, protecting us, protecting our liberties. Our nation has commemorated Memorial Day as far back as 1868, when it was called Decoration Day, a day to honor fallen soldiers by placing wreaths and flags upon their final resting place. A century later, in 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed by Congress, declaring this day a federal holiday for the remembrance of our departed military personnel, recognized later in 1971 as Memorial Day.

Due to COVID-19, many scheduled activities honoring our departed veterans will be virtual; however, there are in-person activities and memorials in the great Southwest that allow us to honor our courageous veterans this Memorial Day weekend.

If you enjoy hiking, you may want to join the Memorial Day Hike in Glendale, AZ on Monday, May 31. This hike is a combination of exercise and ceremony to honor the great men and women of all branches of the military who served, giving their lives for our freedom. The hike will begin at the Thunderbird Conservation Park, 5486 W Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. This is an early hike, beginning at 6:00 a.m. and ending at 8:00 a.m.  

Perhaps you are traveling south in Arizona. If so, you may want to see the memorial located above the Copper Queen Mine, in Bisbee, Arizona dedicated to T/SGT Arthur J “Art” Benko, Top Turret Gunner, US Army Air Corps and the other seventy-six patriots from the Bisbee area who lost their lives in World War II. Sited directly above the copper mine base, the memorial regally pays tribute to WWII veterans, stating: “1941-1945 We Salute All Our Valiant Warriors Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In Defending Our Freedom In WWII.” On my visit to this memorial, as I stood directly above the Copper Queen Mine, reading these cherished words caused me to pause and consider the many kinds of liberties our military heroes provided us. All our freedoms we owe to the brave souls from all the branches of the United States military.

Another outstanding symbol of this bravery stands in Lake Havasu City, Arizona as a memorial to Captain James Atlee Wheeler, the first Air Force captain to lose his life in the Vietnam War. Sadly, on April 18, 1965, Captain Wheeler perished in action when enemy gunners fired at his bomber plane near BaChuc during a dive-bombing attack. Demonstrating grit and dedication, he had flown 40 combat missions in two months’ time before making the ultimate sacrifice. So, this Memorial Day weekend, if you are traveling to see the London Bridge, you may want to place this nearby memorial on your itinerary.

If you are traveling in my neck of the woods, you may want to make a stop at the Payson Veterans Memorial, located in Green Valley Park in Payson, AZ. Plaques displaying name after name of our American heroes will tug at your heart, perhaps even bring tears as you view the names individualizing these great military men and women who sacrificed their lives for ours.

On Monday, May 31, 2021, you might join me and other Americans across the country in pausing at 3:00 pm local time for the National Moment of Remembrance in a stance of reverence, no matter where you are, to remember and honor our great national heroes, our fallen veterans. As we pay tribute this Memorial Day, may we hold the brave men and women who gave all: who bled and died in diverse theaters, sacrificing their freedoms for ours, forever close to our hearts. May these fearless soldiers rest in peace forevermore with our Father.

And whenever and wherever you see Old Glory flying, on a remote hilltop near Young, AZ, or waving gloriously over memorial tributes such as the ones in Bisbee, Lake Havasu, and Payson, or flying splendidly over businesses or private residences, may your heart take pride. May you admire her for her splendor and grandeur; for she is beautiful. She is graceful. She is strong.  

From our house to yours, may freedom forever wave over you and yours. If, while you are out and about, you see veterans, remember the sacrifices they made for you and me. Perhaps you will acknowledge a debt of gratitude with expressions of appreciation. Wishing you safe travels, safe adventures, and a safe Memorial Day weekend.