Monday set aside to honor
fallen servicemen, women

Naval reservists led the Memorial day parade through Gallup and int0 Hillcrest Cemetery may 27, 2002 [Independent file photo]

By Independent staff

GALLUP — From memorial services and gourd dances to parades and public ceremonies, local community members have several opportunities on Monday to honor the sacrifice of U.S. service men and women.

Memorial Day events in Gallup will center around Hillcrest Cemetery and the McKinley County Courthouse Square. Two 9 a.m. memorial events will begin the day at the cemetery: Gallup’s Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Memorial Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Guadalupe and local veterans will conduct a ceremony in the veterans section of the cemetery. At 10 a.m. a parade will then begin at the cemetery and proceed to the Courthouse Square. The Gallup-McKinley County Veterans Memorial Celebration, featuring a number of guest speakers, will be at 11 a.m. in front of the courthouse. This year’s ceremony will honor Air Force Senior Airman Jason Dean Cunningham and Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson, members of Gallup families, who were killed in action in Afghanistan and Iraq. A free barbecue luncheon will be served after the ceremony.

In Fort Defiance, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6789 and the Tse Hootsooi Twin Warrior Society will sponsor a 21-Gun Salute and Taps at 11 a.m. at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery. The groups are encouraging community members to visit local cemeteries to maintain the grave sites, place flags and flowers on the graves of veterans; fly U.S. flags at half-staff; fly the POW/MIA flag; and participate in the “National Moment of Remembrance” at 11 a.m. on Monday.

Window Rock’s Second Annual Memorial Day Remembrance events will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at 6 a.m. at the Veterans Park. After the placement of a wreath and the refolding of flags, a Memorial Day procession will leave the Veterans’ Park at 7 a.m. and move to the Window Rock Sports Center. For the ceremony, guests will be seated at 8 a.m., posting of the colors will be at 9 a.m., and guests will be introduced at 10 a.m. After a luncheon for veterans, a Honor Gourd Dance will be held at the Sports Center from 1 to 8 p.m.