Anthem, Az. Veterans Memorial

Seems like those folks down in the Southwestern US have a real grip on what Veterans are all about and what they have contributed to keeping us the supreme power in the world. There’s certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. If you are destined for greatness as a Nation, it pays to have a military force that can enforce the idea of Freedom and project that message abroad. That is what we do and we do it well. 

In spite of a more recent political malaise that has infected the morale of the military and implied we are brutal, overbearing bullies on the international scene, I personally never saw any who were unhappy to see us show up when I served. Well, with the possible exception for San Francisco International Airport in May 1972. In my memory’s chords, the last time I heard that “Yankee go home!” sentiment was Charlie de Gaulle telling us to beat feet in the sixties. Those poor Wogs must be apoplectic now with Sharia Law being all the rage in their home towns. My, what a difference a mere 50 years can make. It gives more import to “Be careful what you ask for.”

Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial, New Mexico.

Which brought us places like Angel Fire, New Mexico and now Anthem, Arizona. This is cutting edge art with a narrow focus on our plight. I have put both on my bucket list as top priorities now that it appears I may have a new, longer lease on life.

I received this from members Paul and Leigh who are both Vets albeit from two different military branches. How come the Southwest has the corner on this market?

At precisely 11:11 a.m. each Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun’s rays pass through the ellipses of the five Armed Services pillars to form a perfect solar spotlight over a mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States .

The Anthem Veterans Memorial, located in Anthem, Arizona , is a monument dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the United States armed forces. The pillar provides a place of honor and reflection for veterans, their family and friends, and those who want to show their respects to those service men and women who have and continue to courageously serve the United States .

The memorial was designed by Anthem resident Renee Palmer-Jones. The five marble pillars represent the five branches of the United States military. They are staggered in size (from 17 ft to 6 ft) and ordered in accordance with the Department of Defense prescribed precedence, ranging from the United States Army, the United States Marine Corp, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard.

Additionally, the brick pavers within the Circle of Honor are inscribed with the names of over 750 U.S. servicemen and women, symbolizing the ‘support’ for the Armed Forces. The pavers are red, the pillars are white, and the sky is blue to represent America’s flag. The circle represents an unbreakable border. Anthem resident and chief engineer, Jim Martin was responsible for aligning the memorial accurately with the sun.

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as Veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect).

Angel Fire Huey exhibit

The United States also originally observed Armistice Day; it then evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military Veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.

Without plagiarizing President Washington’s seminal observation, I wish to reiterate that our continued greatness depends on the allure of adventure that military service offers. It’s light years past the the thrill that’ll get you when you get your picture on the cover of the Rolling Stones. I know because I served.