annual events at the memorial
Memorial Day hosted by Daisy Mountain Veterans: May 29, 2024Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by Anthem Community Council: November 11, 2024
memorial day ceremony
ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY, “A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE”
Anthem Veterans Memorial, May 27, 9:00 a.m.
The public is invited to honor and remember those members of the US Armed Forces who died while serving our nation and those who remain missing in action at the annual Memorial Day ceremony held at the Anthem Veterans Memorial (AVM). The ceremony is planned and hosted by the Daisy Mountain Veterans (DMV), VFW Post 12031 and American Legion Post 128.
Ceremony Highlights: This year’s ceremony will highlight the personal stories of servicemen and women commemorated at the AVM who were killed in action and who remain missing in action.
Keynote: The keynote address will be given by CWO4 Samuel Rodriguez, Jr. (USN, Retired), whose personal reflection of this day will touch the hearts of all in attendance.
The ceremony also will include the POW/MIA Missing Man table ceremony. The ceremony will conclude with the ringing of a Naval ship’s bell to honor each of the veterans commemorated in the AVM who were killed in action and remain missing in action and the symbolic ringing of the bell six additional times for all those KIA in each service branch.
Music: Musical Theatre of Anthem Outreach Group will perform throughout the ceremony. Additional music will be provided by Pinetop musician Dart Clark and Operation Song, a national nonprofit, based in Nashville TN, that pairs professional songwriters with veterans, active duty, and military families to turn their stories of service, camaraderie, and bravery into songs.
NEW - Added Seating: The DMV thank Sunbelt Rental (AtoZ Party and Rentals) who donated three hundred chairs to provide additional seating for our ceremony guests. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for added seating.
Additional Donor: DVM also thank PostNet-Anthem who donated to offset the costs associated with our printed program, Rosati's for donating proceeds from the May 11 Community Sale, and Sheila Sorrentino who has donated the poppies for ceremony guest distribution.
Volunteers: DVM are grateful to our volunteers, Boy Scout Troop 247, members of the Anthem Prep soccer team and Rick Hall, who will assist in setting up and taking down the chairs, and the Anthem Community Council staff who provides logistics support.
Time/Location: The ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and to bring water. The Anthem Veterans Memorial is located at Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy.
Donations: Those interested in donating to offset the costs associated with this program are asked to contact Elizabeth Turner, 623-640-8417 or ElizabethTurnerUS@yahoo.com.
Additional Ceremony Participants:
- CWO4 Samuel Rodriguez, Jr (USN, Retired)
- Master of Ceremonies, Joseph Kaistchuck (USA)
- CWO Michael Tapp (USCG, Retired and DMV president)
- Invocation: Retired US Air Force chaplain, Lt. Col. Wendel Barnett
- Margy Bons, Gold Star mother and CEO of Military Assistance Mission (MAM), a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and morale aid to Arizona military, their families and our wounded heroes. MAM carries the legacy of Margy’s son, USMC Sergeant Michael Adam Marzano, who was killed in action in Hadith, Iraq on Mother’s Day, May 7, 2005.
- US Marine Corps Sgt. Drake Davis (active duty)
- US Army Sgt. 1st Class Broderick Dearmas (active duty)
- Sandra Day O’Connor USAF Junior ROTC, under the command of Master Sgt. Mike Badey (USAF, Retired) and Col. Donald Clocksin (USAF, Retired).
About the Keynote Speaker: CWO4 Samuel Rodriguez, Jr.
Rodriguez’s career in the United States Navy and Naval Reserves include three Western Pacific deployments with the 3rd Marines Regiment, service with Marine Reconnaissance, Alpha Company, rescue operations at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, followed by mobilization with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in support of Counter Terrorism operations. He was the First Officer in Charge (OIC) of NSF, Pearl Harbor followed by his assignment as OIC of NSF, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PRMF) Kauai.
In 2007, CWO4 Rodriguez was recalled to active duty and assigned to the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) in support of several operations under Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions.
While serving as a Naval Reservist, Rodriguez graduated from the Honolulu Police Academy and served a distinguished twenty-five-year career for the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) until his retirement.
As a HPD Lieutenant, he led the law enforcement efforts in the creation of the Hawaii State Fusion Center. The Fusion Center promotes and coordinates information sharing between Federal, State, local and private stakeholders.
As a HPD Lieutenant, he led the law enforcement efforts in the creation of the Hawaii State Fusion Center. The Fusion Center promotes and coordinates information sharing between Federal, State, local and private stakeholders.
about the memorial
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway | Anthem, Arizona | Get Directions
The Anthem Veterans Memorial (AVM), located in Community Park, is a monument dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of our country’s armed forces. It is a place of honor and reflection for veterans, their families and friends, and also is a place to show respect to those service men and women who have and continue to courageously serve our country.
anthem veterans memorial expansion
The Circle of Honor, recognizing the service of our veterans with a custom engraved paver, has reached capacity. Expanding the Circle gives current and future generations the tangible means to extol praise to their family and friends who served our country.
Anthem Veterans Memorial Expansion 2023
purchase a paver
Purchase a veteran paver to be included in the Circle of Honor, or learn more about making a donation.
legacy giving program
Donating to the Anthem Veterans Memorial Legacy Giving Program is another way to continue your legacy while supporting the programming at the Anthem Veterans Memorial for the years to come. Legacy Donation Information
jim martin stem scholarship
The Jim Martin STEM $1,000 Scholarship, named for the chief engineer of the Anthem Veterans Memorial, provides a $1,000 scholarship to two graduating high school students who have excelled in mathematics and exemplified service to the community.
Scholarship Donation Form
Scholarship Student Application
Scholarship applications available second Monday in January.
five pillar significance
- The five pillars represent the unity of the five branches of the United States military serving steadfastly together.
- Staggered in size with their appropriate military seal placements on each pillar, the pillars are arranged in the Department of Defense order of precedence.
- 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 solar spotlight on the glass mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States.
- The brick pavers within the Circle of Honor are inscribed with the names of 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, flanked by two "Soldier Rows," represents an unbreakable border.
Learn the "Engineering Behind the Memorial," with Jim Martin, Chief Engineer.
The Anthem Veterans Memorial copyright is shared by the Anthem Community Council and artist Renee Palmer-Stevens. Duplication of this monument is forbidden.
avm news
June 16: Daughters of American Revolution Marker Comes to AVM
June 23: Test Your AVM Knowledge
June 30: The Order of Precedence - Military Seals on the AVM
July 7: The Meaning of The Great Seal and Its Role at the AVM
July 14: A Look Back at Memorable Moments at the AVM
July 21: Honor the Veterans in Your Life with a Commemorative Paver
July 27: Remembering our Korean War Veterans
August 4: About the US Coast Guard & Birthday Wishes
August 10: Honoring the AVM Partners- Part I, Daisy Mountain Veterans
August 16: Honoring Our Veteran Families
August 23: Honoring our Veteran Partners - Part II, Youth for Troops
August 30: Honoring The AVM Partners- Part III, Sandra Day O'Connor USAF JRROTC Program
September 6: Meet Our AVM Music Partners- 2023
September 13: POW/MIA Day
September 27: AVM News: Invitation to Veterans Day Ceremony
October 4: Veterans Day Pre-Ceremony Festivities
October 11: Veteran's Day Festivities at the AVM
October 18: Veteran's Day Information and Keynote Speaker
October 25: Veterans Day Ceremony Updates. Introducing Major General A. Fields (USMC, Retired)
November 1: Ten Days Until Veterans Day, Veterans Day Ceremony FAQ's
honors and awards
- Arizona Historic Landmark Designation 2012 – Arizona Historical Society
- Arizona Public Works Project of the Year Award 2012 – Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA)
- ACEC 2012 Grand Award – Best Engineering and Environmental Consulting Project – American Consulting Engineers Companies
- America Vietnam War Commemoration Partner
video
- Watch the 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony
- Live Time of Solar Spotlight at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2022
- Time-lapse of the iconic 11:11 moment, filmed Nov. 11, 2015
- Aerial footage of the solar spotlight, filmed during the winter viewing on Jan. 30, 2016
