I would like to thank all the people who took time from their long weekend and braved the heat to attend the ceremony on Memorial Day.

In spite of the heat, attendance was estimated at around 350. The ceremony was hosted by American Legion Post 58, with assistance from VFW Post 7507, AMVETS Post 7 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1439. The cooperation of the four veterans’ service organizations was outstanding in putting the event together.

Susan Kee, the keynote speaker, gave a moving account of the Korean War and her efforts to make sure the combatants are not forgotten. I’m sure I was not alone in finding a tear in my eye at times during her presentation.

The next ceremony at the memorial will be on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. This ceremony will be hosted by Marine Corps League 1439, with assistance from the other veterans’ posts. Due to the fact that the Fountain Hills Festival of Arts and Crafts is also going on that day, the ceremony will start at 9 a.m. To try to insure the safety and comfort of the crowd, we will add more tent coverage to provide protection from the sun.