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.
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.
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.
WILLIAMS—Memorial day weekend is coming soon; a day in which we honor the sacrifices that are veterans have made and those in service today. It also means that the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall start their annual trek to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The ride is meant to make the public aware of the prisoners of war and those still listed as missing in action.
Another group called Rolling Thunder with the same mission recently highlighted the plight of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. They believe that he is still alive and a prisoner of war after four years.
Each year both groups ride to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington in time for Memorial Day. To support the ride they set up in towns and sell souvenirs of the ride. Their first stop since mid-2000 has been Williams where the American Legion Cordova Post #13 provides a hot meal and a rest for their visit.
The veterans enter the City with a parade each year.
Each year many of the Williams residents stop by and visit the veterans and give them support. Or maybe it’s just to check out the motorcycles.
See Also:
2012 Run for the Wall
WILLIAMS—Saturday the thirteenth was not unlucky for the residents as they opened the $2.3 million Cataract Lake Park with an eventful dedication. Politicians were there to thank everyone except for Williams Police Sergeant Ted Wigal who directed traffic at entrance. (So we get to be the first to thank him for his service!) I-40 Fleet Services even provided kayaks for rides on the lake.
Mayor John Moore was joined by Williams City Councilmen Hiemenz and Payne for the celebration. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger and District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta joined District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan.
The event was staffed by volunteers from a number of non-profit groups around the community. The American Legion, as usual, conducted the barbeque provided by the city. Camp Civitan provided a van to shuttle people from the parking area to the park. The Kiwanis and Lions Club members served the food. Volunteers staffed the Coke van provided by Swire. Parks and recreation staff were on hand and volunteer children tested the playground during the speeches. The Freshman class of the Williams High School baked and decorated the cake for the cake cutting ceremony.
Everything was going fine until the politicians started fighting over the key.
WILLIAMS—Spring signals the beginning of baseball season and training for summer little league.
Unfortunately, Coach Richard Aguilar will not be with us this season. Lee Payne has taken up his coaching job and wants to purchase new Astros uniforms for the team. The uniforms will include emblems in honor of the late Coach Aguilar. Mr Aguilar was an active participant in organizing the barbeque to welcome the annual Run For The Wall veterans.
Lee has received some donations for new uniforms and is working with the American Legion Cordova Post #13 to come up with the rest of the approximately $900 for the uniforms. To that end they are holding a raffle which features a Smokey the Bear baseball autographed by retired local pro Billy Hatcher.
While writing this article, other donations were made which include a Jillian Michaels training set. Jillian is the personal trainer who became known for the reality series The Biggest Loser. Johnny Hatcher donated a Diamondbacks hat autographed by Luis Gonzales with a certificate of authenticity.
Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. The drawing is scheduled for next Friday evening, the 29th of March, at the American Legion. Tickets may be obtained through the American Legion Post or by calling Lee Payne at 928-607-7918. If you are not interested in the prizes, a small donation would also be welcome to benefit the team and the Williams Little League.
Mr. Payne noted that any money collected in excess of the uniforms will go to the Williams Little League.
Crowd lines Route 66 in Williams waiting for the parade.
The American Legion Cordova Post #13 carries the colors to begin the parade.
WILLIAMS—The American Legion in Williams set up a dinner for the riders of Run for the Wall event. Mayor John Moore as usual welcomed the riders and thanked them for their service.
Run for the Wall is an annual event since 1989 in which veterans of all services ride to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to arrive by Memorial Day. They ride to bring attention to the still missing in action and prisoners of war from all wars and to honor those who were killed in action. Their motto is “We ride for those who can’t.”
The policy of the federal government until recently has always been to not leave men behind in a war.
Mayor John Moore welcomes the veterans.
Commander of the Post Horacio Ortiz said that the volunteers were having a great time this year and were in high spirits. He was extremely happy with all of the volunteers.
Veterans stop to say hello to local residents.
The efforts of the Legion are appreciated by the riders of Run for the Wall who make Williams their first stop each year.
The Prescott Veteran Center brought a van to the event with various gifts for the veterans. These included a pocket calendar, various health pamphlets and stress squeeze foam items. One of the most useful to Navy veterans involved in anti-submarine warfare is a foam squeeze submarine.
Local welcome dog Prince receives a new tag from Run for the Wall crew.