Jerry Ruane salutes the color guard during the Retiring of the Colors at last year's Veteran's Day ceremony at the McKinley County Courthouse. [photo by Brian Leddy / Independent]

Memorial Day 2008 Events

• Window Rock, Ariz., 6-11 a.m: 2nd Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony; flag raising at 6 a.m., wreath placement at 6:15 a.m., refolding of flags at 6:30 a.m., procession to Sports Center at 7 a.m., seating of visitors & guests at 8 a.m., posting of colors at 9 a.m., intro of guests at 10 a.m. & luncheon for veterans & guests at 11 a.m; event starts at Veterans Park & ends at Sports Center; Info: Commander Leonard Day at (505) 863-6565 or Eric at (928) 871-5260.
• Shiprock, 8 a.m: Sgt. Lee Todacheene Memorial 5K Run/Walk & Kids’ Run; registration at 7 a.m. & race at 8 a.m; entry fee $18/adults or $10/kids; entry forms available at Big 5 Sporting Goods & Office of Youth Development; Run/Walk held at Diné College North Campus; Info: Lenny at (505) 215-9216 or Teri at 330-7914.
• Gallup, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m: Gallup-McKinley County Veterans’ Memorial Celebration; events include 9 a.m. ceremony at Hillcrest Cemetery, 10 a.m. parade from cemetery to Courthouse Square, 11 a.m. ceremony at Courthouse Square with guest speakers, & community barbecue at noon; this year’s ceremony will honor Air Force Senior Airman Jason Dean Cunningham & Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson; public invited to attend all events.
• Window Rock, 1-8 p.m: 2nd Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Honor Gourd Dance; gourd dance from 1-4 p.m. & 5-8 p.m. with supper break in between; Sports Center; Info: Commander Leonard Day at (505) 863-6565 or Eric at (928) 871-5260.
• Fort Defiance, 11 a.m: 21 Gun Salute and Taps at the Fort Defiance Veterans’ Cemetery; sponsored by VFW Post 6789 and the Tse Hootsooi Twin Warrior Society; Info: (928) 729-4010.
• Gallup, 9 a.m: Annual Memorial Mass, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Hillcrest Cemetery and celebrated by Father Matt Keller.
• Gallup, 10 a.m: Memorial Day Parade; route will begin at Hillcrest Cemetery & end at the Veterans Memorial at the McKinley County Courthouse Square; Info: (505) 722-2228.