Lectric e-bike being raffled by the Matthew Broehm VFW post.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Corrected 5/14/2015, 11:59 p.m.
WILLIAMS — 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.
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.
The 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.
WILLIAMS—The members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Matthew James Broehm Post #12128 are trying to raise money and you can be the beneficiary. Orders are being taken at their office in the mall in downtown Williams next to the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. Orders may also be placed with Al Dunaway at the John Ivens American Legion Post #42 next to the VFW office. For more information, you can email williamsvfwpost@hotmail.com.
Orders must be placed by Thursday to ensure the candy will be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day.
Combine the candy with a gift and flowers from the new Briar Patch florist and you will be ready for the 14th. The Briar Patch is located on route 66 next to Circle K.
Your purchase will support the activities of the heroes of the VFW post.
Al Dunaway and Mike Rioux man the tables for the VFW fundraising efforts.
The Matthew J. Broehm VFW post was formed in official ceremonies December of 2012. Commander George G. Riojas, Sr was sworn in as the Commander of the new post. The name of the service organization honors Marine Lance Corporal Matthew James Broehm of Williams who was lost in action during Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Broehm was killed along with Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson on November 4, 2010.
The service organization conducts official meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, but gathers every Thursday at 2 pm. Mike Rioux is Liaison Service Officer whose function is to assist all veterans and returning service members in getting the benefits they earned from their years of service.
The VFW is selling See’s Candies for Mother’s Day in order to raise funds for their operation. There are several varieties to choose from and they will place the order on the 6th of May in order to receive the candies on the 9th in time for Mother’s Day. Mother’s day is Sunday, the 12th. In addition they are selling hats and pins which may be purchased anytime. The pins might also make a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
Orders for candies or pins can be made when members are at their meeting on Thursdays or you may contact Al Dunaway almost any weekday at the American Legion John Ivens Post #42 office right next door to the VFW office. Al is a member of both service organizations. You can also email them at williamsvfwpost@hotmail.com.
They are also taking donations and selling raffle tickets for the Williams Veteran’s Memorial. A quilt is being raffled off for the memorial, appropriately, on Memorial Day. The cost of the tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.