From,
Joseph Q. Johnson
American Legion
Post 96
PO Box 7096
Surprise, Arizona 85374-0101
Memorial Day in Surprise
On Saturday, May 25, Joseph Q. Johnson American Legion Post 96 and the White Tank Mountain Detachment #1246 of the Marine Corps League held an annual ceremony to honor the WWII aviators of Luke Field. By the library, off Bullard Ave., is a monument dedicated to the men and woman who trained at Luke Auxiliary Field #3, known as Fighter’s Field. 17,321 aviators trained here for the skies over Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Many never came home.
On 7 December 1952, the monument was dedicated by the City of Surprise, at the location of Fighter’s Field, to honor the memory and dedication of those aviators.
Annually, the veterans of Surprise lay a wreath on Memorial Day weekend at the monument to remember those aviators.
Shown are Councilman Remley & Sanders, Mayor Hall, Vice-Mayor Winters, Council members Duffy, Hayden, Judd and Chair of the Veterans, Disability and Human Services Commission Van de Langeryt.
Vice Commandant Jerry Pontius of the Marine Corps League and Commander Andy LaCour of the American Legion Post 86 lay the wreath at the WWII monument.
Veterans line up to honor the wreath as it is placed on the WWII monument.
