Tag Archives: American Legion

Run For The Wall runs through Williams

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — The motorcycle riders of Run For The Wall arrived in Williams May 17 which is their traditional first stop of their ten-day trek to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Their goal is meet up with the riders of Rolling Thunder and participate in Memorial Day events. The goal of the groups is to bring awareness of those who gave their lives for their country and those still missing in action.

The riders were threatened with rain, but the rain held off until about 7 p.m. The group started arriving at about 5:00 p.m. with the main group arriving about twenty-minutes later. They stopped at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 for sustenance and rest provided by the Legion, local citizens and the Route 66 Young Marines.

While many people tend to take extra pains to thank Veterans for their service during the Memorial Day weekend, Northern Arizona Gazette would like to remind everyone that Memorial Day is a solemn day of respect for those who were killed during the many conflicts the United States has been involved in. We would prefer that you go to the local cemetery, find a Veteran’s grave and lay flowers. Veteran Service groups, such as the American Legion and Veterans Of Foreign Wars hold ceremonies that you can attend.


Northern Arizona Gazette has been following Run For The Wall since 2005. It is sad to note that over the years, less of our Vietnam Veteran brothers have been able to make the ride and many have passed. We are happy to report that younger Veterans from recent conflicts, such as Desert Storm and Afghanistan, have taken up the ride. About a hundred motorcycles participated in this leg of Run For The Wall. There are three routes that riders take.

After an overnight stay, the riders left promptly at 8 a.m. May 18. The weather was perfect for their send off.

Preparations still being made for Vietnam Memorial Wall

Posted on by

Ground being prepared for the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall.

WILLIAMS – They are not in the Army now, but Veterans of Williams are preparing the ground for the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Although the wall may be delayed in coming because of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus, they hope it is not delayed long.

Williams was already disappointed by the understandable cancellation of Run For the Wall which was to occur in May. They were also disappointed by the cancellation of the Wreath Laying ceremony for Vietnam Veterans on Memorial Day for the safety of possible participants.

John Holst, Randy Baer and Russell Achee prepare the grounds for the moving Vietnam Wall.

Randy Baer, in charge of the project, said that the area will be much nicer even after the Wall is gone.

John Holst added that they intend to add low-water, local shrubbery and trees.

We hope that, while the Vietnam Memorial Wall is here, people will show enough respect to not let their dogs defecate in the area.

Randy said they could use help with labor as the project progresses. Help with digging and landscaping would be appreciated. He can be reached at 928-225-9064. Small monetary donations would be helpful to defray the cost of the project.

It is important to note that they will be trying to stay compliant with current restrictions. So you may have to actually call for an appointment to help.

American Legion Cordova Post #13 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — In the wake of September 11, 2001, it seems to slip the minds of most people that we were injured in a surprise attack before. An attack that President Roosevelt labeled, “…a date which will live in infamy.” On December 7, 1941, the island nation of Japan attacked the Naval base at Pearl Harbor and the aircraft at Hickam Field, Hawaii. The attack came mostly from the sky, but some Japanese two-man submarines were also suspected. Over 2,000 service men and civilians lost their lives in the attack with several thousand more injured. The war with Japan came to an abrupt end with the bombing of two of their cities with newly-developed atomic bombs on August 9, 1945.

The symbol of the attack on Pearl Harbor is the U.S.S. Arizona over which a memorial has been built. A piece of that historic vessel was shipped to Williams and placed in Williams Memorial park on the west end of town.Since the attack, December 7th has become Pearl Harbor Rememberence day. With a statue of Bill Williams and a World War II soldier looking on, a group of residents attended the memorial service of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams. After speeches and a prayer, the residents were invited to a Mexican buffet at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 on Grant Street at 4 p.m.

Veterans get treat in Williams on Halloween

Posted on by

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.

Perico passed away overnight

Posted on by

Corrected 8/15; 5:28 a.m.

800-perico-16-05-30-06WILLIAMS — We have learned of the passing of Fedrico “Perico” Avila who passed away at the Peaks in Flagstaff. Mr. Avila had been at the Flagstaff Medical Center for knee surgery and was transferred to the Peaks for rehabilitation. We believe he was 83-years old.

Mr. Avila was a well-known Korean veteran and Chaplain for the American Legion Cordova Post #13. He worked hard to conduct the service for Memorial Day each year in Williams.

He was born in Williams and returned after his service to paint signs around town. During each holiday he was busy painting holiday images on windows adding his unique signature. He was a well-loved person who remained active in the community until his untimely passing.

Our prayers go out to his family, friends and fellow veterans.
800-16-05-30-03

Williams remembers those who passed

Posted on by

20150525aaWILLIAMS — After the graduations, the parade, the roping and all of the other Memorial weekend activities, Williams ended with a memorial service to honor those who went to serve our country and did not return.
20150525x
Veterans and the families of loved ones who have passed gathered in the Williams Cemetery to honor their memory. The solemn occasion was accompanied with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps by Lu Carle. Volunteers assisted in the placing of flags to mark the resting places of veterans. Some with only a small marker to indicate their presence.
20150525e
The event was scheduled by “Perico” Avila and the American Legion Cordova Post #13. Father Killian of St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church gave the invocation.

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, we could not get the names of all of the participants.

Williams says good-bye to Run for the Wall

Posted on by

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.

Clean and Beautiful campaign good this year

Posted on by
Volunteers direct the operation at the Williams Visitor Center.

Volunteers direct the operation at the Williams Visitor Center.

WILLIAMS — The Williams Clean and Beautiful campaign seemed to do better this year though they went up against the opening of the Williams little league baseball season.
640-candb-15-05-02-3
Still there were a few more bags lining the streets, this year, and a number of residents took advantage of the extra waste and electronics recycle dump at the Williams transfer station and Rodeo Barn.

American Legion post members man the barbeque.

American Legion post members man the barbeque.

After picking up, the workers enjoyed a lunch provided by the members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13.

Clean and Beautiful workers relax after the event.

Clean and Beautiful workers relax after the event.


It seems they finished just in time as the clouds were moving in and a 30% chance of thunderstorms exist today.

Pancake breakfast this Saturday at Senior Center

Posted on by

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.

Memorial Day services in Williams

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – The flags at the Williams Own Veterans memorial hung at half-staff as they held a Memorial Day service at the cemetery with ceremonial-songs and testimony and a 21-gun salute.

wmd-20140526-07

Perico Avila, Williams American Legion Cordova Post #13.

The ceremony was conducted by Perico Avila, Chaplain of the American Legion Cordova Post #13. Father Kilian of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church conducted a prayer service.

Army veteran Mike Rioux gave a speech detailing his return to active duty at age 49 and combat service in Afghanistan. Debbie, Pamelia and Beverly sang in honor of those who lost their lives in battle.

The ceremony ended with the honor guard giving the traditional a 21-gun salute and Lu Carle played taps.

Continue reading →