MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Holiday includes family activities, somber reflection

Federal, state and county offices and many local businesses will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day, a federal holiday to honor the men and women who died in military service to their country.

Many Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, a time for barbecues, gatherings with family and friends and the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

In Rancho Sahuarita on Saturday, residents enjoyed the opening of Memorial Day activities. Popcorn and soda were the order of the day as families gathered to watch their children play on jumping castles and ride on a miniature train and pony.

In Green Valley and Sahuarita, home to many retired and active military families, the holiday will be marked by a ceremony Monday, coordinated by the Green Valley American Legion Post No. 66, starting at 9 a.m. at Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery, 18751 S. La Canada Drive, north of Duval Mine Road.

Lt. Gen. John T. Myers, president of the Military Officers Association of Tucson, will be the keynote speaker, said Marvin Garaway, sergeant-at-arms and color guard commander for the legion post.

A special guest will be retired U.S. Marine Corps Warrant Officer David Caballero of Tucson, presently a police officer for the University of Arizona, who will speak on “Americanism.”

The Bavarian Brass Band will play patriotic selections and KGVY radio personality Joey Lessa will sing the national anthem.

Members of the Border Patrol will carry flags with the legion color guard. The Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corps League will also provide color guards for the event, which is open to the public.

State Senate President Tim Bee, a Republican, will attend the event, but will not be speaker since he’s a candidate for the 8th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat.

Master of ceremonies will be Gary Nelson, commander of Green Valley American Legion Post 66. Representatives of more than a dozen military organizations will lay wreaths at the event, which will also feature a fly-over of four A-10’s from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Free coffee and doughnuts for the public will be served at the cemetery and also at the legion post off Duval Mine Road in Sahuarita.

A spokesperson for the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce said many local businesses will be closed, but others, including restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and Wal-Mart, will stay open Monday.

The Chamber’s offices will be closed for the holiday. The Chamber staff suggests you check with local businesses directly about their holiday schedules.

Schools in Green Valley and Sahuarita are out for the summer, and their offices will be closed for the holiday.

All Green Valley Recreation centers will be open, but the offices will be closed, except for the East Center office, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

Sheriff’s deputies in Green Valley and Sahuarita Police will be on patrol, but their offices will be closed. Green Valley Fire District administrative offices will be closed, but fire, medical emergency and other services, such as snake removal, will be available. Residents should call 9-1-1 for any police, fire or medical emergency.

Area post offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery, except for express mail.

The Sahuarita Town Hall and offices of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council will be closed for Memorial Day, along with the Joyner-Green Valley Library and offices of the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun.

Kathy Engle is a freelance writer who lives in Amado. Contact her at kdengle@earthlink.net.