Attending Service Representatives

Memorial Day is often a time of solemn ceremonies and events. For the fourth consecutive year, Flotilla 10-8, D11-SR, has been asked to participate in an East Valley Memorial Day ceremony.

Arizona has warm, or rather hot weather this time of year, so the services started at 0630 to get a head start from the heat of the day. This Memorial Day ceremony and program started with Major Arden Rowley US Army (Ret.), a Korean War Veteran and former P.O.W, holding a small service outside of his home on Memorial Day. This moving tribute to our fallen veterans has grown over the years, eventually needing assistance from the City of Mesa. The city closes the street to vehicle traffic and places temporary seating in the street.

Members of 10-8 attended this annual event and David Esparza, Past Rear Commodore, represented the Coast Guard. Also in attendance where about three hundred neighborhood residents and veterans. News media from the Phoenix television stations covered the service on local stations.

All branches of the services were represented by active duty and retired veterans. The Memorial Day program included speakers, music, flag raising and a memorial tribute to fallen service men and women from Arizona.

Placing of flags on Memorial Wreath

The Mesa City Band provided the music including a salute to our armed forces. Lt. Col. Keith Crandell, US Army (Ret.) was the key note speaker. The events concluded with a low-level fly over by four U.S. Army Apache helicopters, breaking off into the missing man formation.

Until four years ago, the U.S. Coast Guard was not represented at the service. Major Rowley contacted Mr. Esparza and invited him to participate in the ceremony. As a member the Public Affairs Department Auxiliarist Esparza jumped at the chance. He has participated and represented the USCG over the last four years.

Auxiliarist Esparza participated in the wreath ceremony, where each service representative placed a small U.S. flag in the wreath to honor the men and women of their respective service. The Coast Guard Anthem was played by the Mesa City band. The anthem was accompanied by a local performing group, “Notations.”

Memorial Day 2005 started off on the right note and that certainly would have been enough for any Auxiliarist. But not for Dave Esparza, he then conducted a safety patrol on Saguaro Lake in 100+ degree heat. To top off the day, Dave made it home by early evening to cook hamburgers for the Flotilla 10-8 annual BBQ.

Dave Esparza