Scottsdale's commitment to showing appreciation for its veterans and active military members is in full swing this November, known nationally as Veterans and Military Families Month. The city has lined up an array of events that includes a Veterans Day commemoration, a community hike, and a unique banner display honoring local heroes, as reported by the official City of Scottsdale website.
The centerpiece of these tributes is the Scottsdale Salutes banner program, which has more than 40 banners currently flying proudly above Old Town Scottsdale until November 15. These banners seek to publicly acknowledge both the sacrifices and achievements of Scottsdale's veterans, such as Winfield Scott, the city's founder and a distinguished Union Army captain, among others including Air Force veteran Jim Bruner, the artist Austin Deuel, and Ryan So, a Navy Hospital Corpsman posthumously recognized after tragically losing his life in June, as detailed by the City of Scottsdale. To comprehensively honor all participants, residents and visitors are encouraged to visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search 'Scottsdale salutes' to learn more about the honorees.
In further commemoration, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is hosting a Veterans Day Hike on November 11, starting at 8 a.m. from the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead. The hike is not just an opportunity to enjoy the Preserve's natural beauty, but also to collectively honor those who served the nation. The hike will conclude with a special ceremony, adding a poignant acknowledgment of the day's importance. Interested individuals can register for the event through the City's announcement online.
Adding to the day's significance, retired USAF Superintendent John F. Regni will deliver the keynote address at Scottsdale's Veterans Day Commemoration event, set to include patriotic music from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Band. The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Lawn at Scottsdale City Hall and it is open to the public with no registration required. In a gesture of continued remembrance, the city has also been designated as a "Top Performer" by the U.S. Department of Defense for its efforts to honor Vietnam War veterans through multiple commemorative events.
Details on these memorials can also be found by searching 'memorials' on the ScottsdaleAZ.gov website.
