By Jack Ross, SAVCO President
What do SAVCO, Sedona Police Cadets, Accord Hospice of Sedona, Verde Valley Senior Squadron 205, the City of Sedona Parks & Recreation Department, Sedona City Maintenance, a Vicar from the Christ Lutheran Church (and the Cottonwood Community Band), photographer Larry Kane and the Sedona Park Rangers have in common? After the record breaking crowd of over 200 attendees at this past Mondays Memorial Day Ceremony held at the beautiful Posse Grounds outdoor Pavilion one could easily say, “they know how to work together!”
And work together they did, a flag pole had to be erected on the grounds, mission accomplished by Ryan Hayes’s maintenance department, water was needed….Accord Hospice of Sedona steps forward and makes it happen. Youth are needed to be integrated into the program, Police Cadets Maxwell Jankowski and Ryan Hayes answer the call. SAVCO’s go to Bugler Dean Cathcart is unavailable, no problem says the Trumpeting Vicar of Christ Lutheran Church Julie Gerrish …”I can learn To the Colors and Taps!” Slowly but surely Sedona’s Memorial Day Ceremony takes form with all of these different groups coming together.
Master of Ceremony’s SAVCO’s Army Col Al Cornell gets the ceremony started at 0900. Army Chaplain LtCol George Ault (yes the same George Ault that recently greeted us on the spring cover of Life Styles of Sedona) set the tone with the invocation. Next up is Mayor Scott Jablow presenting the Memorial Day proclamation. Navy Captain Dave Price, dressed impeccably in a Navy summer white uniform and of course aviator sunglasses reminded all present that Freedom is not Free when recounting the flight crew that did not return from a mission. Actress Gail Edwards rewarded the crowd with an a cappella rendition of the National Anthem.
SACVOs Flag Detail ceremoniously folded the retired flag and handed it off along with another flag to Chief Warrant Officer Don Clarke and Commander Jack Ross who then presented the flags of two recent widows of beloved Sedona veterans Mike Ward and Ron Luczak.
At ceremonies end LtCol Ault, gave the closing prayer, Vicar Julie Gerrish played a moving Taps as Old Glory was slowly half-staffed followed by Gail Edwards singing God Bless America with those in attendance joining in on the last verses. The crowd stayed and hugged others and shared stories of loved ones departed. After the crowd dispersed the flag pole was taken down and will find a home at the Sedona Community Center until it is called upon for duty again.