Moving Wall in place

WILLIAMS — After almost a year of delay, the Moving Wall is finally set up in Williams. About 25 volunteers assisted in getting the wall set up which took about four-hours. Mayor John Moore came out to look at the Wall. He said that after ten-years of trying to get the wall here, it was difficult to believe that it was actually here.

About 25 volunteers assisted in the contruction of the Moving Wall.


The Moving Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. which–until recent events–is visited each year on Memorial Day by veterans of Run For The Wall and Rolling Thunder. This memorial means a great deal to the remaining heroes of the Vietnam Era, so we ask that you take your dogs somewhere else to take care of their natural business while the Moving Wall is in place. If your dog has an accident, we ask that you clean it up immediately.

The last piece of the wall being put into place by volunteers.


There will be a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow and there will be displays of military equipment and other military service organizations.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

The components of the wall were not allowed to touch ground. Volunteers, here, hold it up on their feet until it was put into place.

Mayor John Moore of Williams toured the Moving Wall.

Visitors started touring the wall before completion.

Panels of the wall being cleaned of any fingerprints left by volunteers.

Matthew Broehm VFW post raffling electric bike

Lectric e-bike being raffled by the Matthew Broehm VFW post.

WILLIAMS – The Matthew J. Broehm VFW Post 12128 is raffling off a Lectric XP model e-bike in Williams. The bike comes with saddlebags and helmet.

Tickets are $10 each and only 300 will be sold. The raffle will be held when all tickets are sold. The VFW post is currently working out distribution of tickets and other formalities, but you can contact a member to get tickets.

The Lectric model being raffled is foldable for easy storage or placing in your vehicle to take with you. This model has a 500-watt motor and is expected to run around 45-hours on a charge.

Veterans get treat in Williams on Halloween

WILLIAMS — The Veterans in the Williams area received a treat on Halloween morning when the American Legion hosted their first Veteran Stand Down Outreach at the Cordova Post on Grant street.

Volunteers provide a meal at the American Legion Veteran Stand Down Outreach.

The Veteran Stand Down is a program to reach homeless and at-risk Veterans. They hand out warm clothing for the winter, supplies and offer or provide services to help veterans get off of the streets. Every veteran, however, can take advantage of some of the programs and services offered. This was a smaller version of the event held in Flagstaff, but was still packed with useful information. Many of the services are available at offices throughout northern Arizona

Roger Ely, who organized the event, hopes to have some of the other services for the event in the future. Such as veterinary services. At this event, clothing was issued and there was a lunch provided. The Disabled Veterans National Foundation provided a bag with toiletries.

Several volunteer services join together to provide services to veterans at the Stand Down Outreach. Clothing and other personal items were also handed out.

Warrior to Inspector School and Catholic Charities at the Veteran Stand Down Outreach.

For housing assistance, representatives of the Veterans Resource Center and Catholic Charities were available. The Veterans Resource has a 40-year history of assisting homeless and extremely low income veterans and has offices in California and Nevada as well as Arizona. In Arizona they have offices in Flagstaff, Prescott and Bullhead City. You can check their web site at http://www.vetsresource.org. Catholic Charities also has services for homeless veterans and rent assistance. Representing this service agency was Rocky Coronado who works out of the Prescott office. He can be reached at 928-778-2531 extension 54012. The office is at 434 W. Gurley Street in Prescott.

Information on training was provided by the WAR2IN (Warrior to Inspector) vocational school. This is a relatively new program, also available to civilians, to certify you as industry level welding, steel welding and high strength bolt inspector using the latest technology. Some training occurs in the field. Semesters start on January and July 15th. They are currently waiting for approval to accept payments through the GI Bill. There may be other assistance, however, to help you pay the tuition which could land you a good-paying job in industry. You can check out their web site at http://www.war2in.org.

Employment information was provided by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. If you are seeking a job, or a better job, they are located at 1701 N. 4th Street in Flagstaff. Go in and see Workforce Specialist Amanda Harris or call 928-213-3536. You can see their web site for locations throughout Arizona at http://www.azdvs.gov.

Mike Rioux (second from left), Service Officer for the Matthew Broehm VFW in Williams, provides services at the Veteran Stand Down. His services are available any time during the year at the downtown mall in Williams.

Mike Rioux, Service Officer for the local Matthew Broehm VFW Post in the mall, was on hand to provide service for veterans, such as obtaining DD-214s. He provides this and other services to veterans all year. He can be contacted through the Hope For the World ministry also located in the mall.

There were services for the things we do not like to think about. It is estimated that 22 veterans take their own lives each day. If you are contemplating suicide or are experiencing a drug problem, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. You can also text 838255 for help.

Display by Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Representatives were also available from the Camp Navajo Memorial Cemetery. The cemetery inters veterans at no cost and eligible spouses and dependents for a current one-time cost of $734. You can contact Andrew Griffen Administrator at 928-214-3474 or Judy Dillman Cemetery Representative at 928-214-3475 for more information. Information for the Camp Navajo Cemetery can be found at https://dvs.az.gov/arizona-veterans-memorial-cemetery-camp-navajo. General benefit information is available at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/eligible.asp.

The American Legion Cordova Post #13 is, of course, another year-around resource for help. There is, also, an office for the Grand Canyon John Ivens American Legion Post #42 in the mall downtown as well as the office for the Veterans of Foreign Wars post. You can check the DAV web site for a location near you. The Hope For the World ministry is another resource for homeless veterans as well as civilians in Williams and the surrounding area.

The Army National Guard and Bellemont Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery representatives discuss their services.

Williams Independence Day parade a smashing success

640-015-07-04-05WILLIAMS — If Facebook is any gauge, it appears that the historic Route 66 Williams Independence Day parade was a rousing success. Pictures and videos of the parade appeared from Richard Goettel of Phoenix and local resident Brenda Carter. Brenda even caught the Mayor directing traffic.

There was some concern that it might be a wash. Rain came down starting about two hours before the parade, but cleared up. While clouds darkened the city and threatened more rain, it never came.

The parade began with the members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carrying the colors. They were followed by the Vietnam Veterans of America. Smokey the Bear was the parade Grand Marshall.
640-015-07-04-07

640-15-07-04-73
The American Legion Post and Vietnam Veterans were joined by the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion and Matthew Broehm VFW Post.
640-15-07-04-87
A new addition is the War Memorial Museum of Arizona in their 1942 WWII half-track.640-15-07-04-16It would not be a Williams parade without the Bill Williams Mountain Men—official ambassadors of the State of Arizona, the tractors and the classic cars.
640-15-07-04-38
640-15-07-04-32
640-15-07-04-34It was good to see Bearizona in the parade this year. The were promoting their upcoming Backwoods BBQ July 25.

640-15-07-04-11Save Meant to Rescue had a tremendous float this year. They get our vote for Number 1. They were surrounded by pets rescued by new owners.

Overall the parade was the best we can remember.
Continue reading

Toy box raffle coming soon

WILLIAMS — You still have time to get tickets for the toy box raffle sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The hand-made toy box is stuffed with toys for babies, teens and adults. The drawing will be held at the Williams Event Stage at 2 p.m.

Williams says good-bye to Run for the Wall

Corrected 5/14/2015, 11:59 p.m.
640-AL-15-05-13-02WILLIAMS — The sun was lower than normal as The Riders of the 2015 Run For The Wall event rolled into town later than usual. They even managed to miss the snow predicted for this weekend.

Run for the Wall has stopped exclusively in Williams in the past. For the last two years, the group has split with some proceeding to Flagstaff as the popularity of the event grows. The Williams group conducted their normal parade down historic Route 66.

After which they formed up at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 where volunteers from the community served dinner and deserts for the riders.

The American Legion dedicated the event to the memory of the late Richard Aguilar. Richard was a member of the post and worked hard every year to make this event successful.
640-RunWall-15-05-14-03
640-RunWall-15-05-14-05
Rain did come the next morning as they gathered to have breakfast at the Wild West Junction. Mayor John Moore has been supportive of the event since he took office. He even came out in the blizzard of 2011 that met the group when they arrived.

640-RunWall-15-05-14-11The annual event is run to keep the memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action alive. There was some good news in 2014 with the remains of 14 Vietnam Veterans located and returned and their names removed from the Vietnam Veterans memorial.

Walt “Detour” Reichard is a Vietnam Veteran from Virginia and the Virginia State Coordinator for Run For The Wall. His motorcycle reflects the dedication of the rider of this event right down to his license plate. It reads simply “R4TW.”

Walt said that he makes the ride from Virginia to California only to return on this ten-day ride because he appreciates the dedication of this group. He is a seven-time veteran of the ride.

Sadly, many of the Vietnam veterans are either getting too old to ride or are passing away. The event organizers have opened up the event and active-duty military and some civilians have been making the memorial ride.

VFW Toy box Raffle

640-toys-15-04-21-7WILLIAMS — The Williams Auxiliary of the Matthew J. Broehm VFW Post in WIlliams is raffling off a hand-made and painted toy box created by Robert and Suzanne Clark. To help you get started, they are even stuffing it with toys.

The toys and toy box is on display at 117 W. Route 66 and tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The estimated value of the prize is over $500. The toys include toys for babies, teens and adults.

The date of the drawing is July 4 at 2 p.m. at the Williams Event Stage.

It’s a good time to be in the No. 1 Second Amendment friendly State

upload-rafflesWILLIAMS — There are several raffles ongoing in Williams to benefit many good causes. Some are great for the No. 1 Second Amendment friendly State according to Guns and Ammo.

You can support the 2015 Senior Grad night and possibly take home a Howa 22-250 with a Nikko Stirling 3.5x10x44 scope with the purchase of a $10 ticket or 3 tickets for $20. The drawing will be held on May 1 at the Wild West Junction. Tickets may be purchased at the Allstate insurance office on 1st Street.

In the mall on Route 66, you can visit Williams Wear and Buck’s Place and purchase a chance for your choice of a Ruger American .308 bolt action rifle or Stoeger P350 12 gauge pump shotgun for $10 a ticket or 3 for $20. Courtesy of the Friends of the NRA. The drawing will be held when all 200 tickets are sold.

You do not have to be present at either raffle to win. To be eligible to win the firearms, you must be legally allowed to own firearms in accorance with Arizona and Federal law. Background checks are required.

Concerned about possible safety? The Matthew Broehm VFW Post 12128 also located in the mall is raffling off a Champion Collector CS-31 gun safe. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. For an additional donation to the VFW, The Firemen Movers will get the safe where it needs to be.

Need a little cash? You can vie for the following cash prizes.

Parents Who Care are conducting a fundraiser for the 2015 Grad Night. Cash prizes are $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. The drawing will be held April 25th at the Cureton Park Spring Festival on April 25th and you need not be present to win. You can buy tickets for $10 each at the Allstate office on 1st Street across from City Hall.

The Arizona State Council of the Knights of Columbus is holding it’s raffle for prizes of $10,000; $7000; $5000; $3000; $2000, $1000 and four $500 cash prizes. Tickets are $5 each, $20 for 5 or $100 for a book of 30. The drawing is May 16 and winners need not be present to win. TIckets may be purchased at the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe.

Pancake breakfast this Saturday at Senior Center

WILLIAMS – The American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliaries will be hosting a pancake breakfast this Saturday, February 21 at the Williams Senior Center.

The breakfast is $5 per person and runs from 7 to 11 a.m. The breakfast includes pancakes with syrup and butter, sausage patties, orange juice and coffee.

The Williams Senior Center is located at 850 W. Grant Street behind Safeway.

Matthew J. Broehm VFW post collecting Toys for Tots

300px-toys-for-tots02WILLIAMS – Mike Rioux, Service Officer for the Matthew J. Broehm VFW Post 12128, is assisting the Marine Corp in collecting Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots is an annual effort by the Marines to provide toys and games for children who might otherwise receive nothing on Christmas.

Because the Williams Lions Club is collecting Toys for Kids in Williams, the toys collected by the Matthew J. Broehm post will be delivered to Flagstaff for distribution there.

People wishing to donate may provide an unwrapped toy in boxes located around the city. One is currently located at Safeway and Mike is trying to place them at other locations.

The Matthew J. Broehm post is named for a Lance Corporal from Williams who was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan in November of 2010. He was killed alongside fellow Marine Lance Corporal Brandon W. Pearson of Colorado.