City celebrates Veterans Day

A flag raising ceremony was held this morning at the Veterans Memorial at Rotary Park by the local posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

About 60 people, including local veterans, Boys Scouts and the Maricopa High School Air Force Junior ROTC Honor Guard, attended the ceremony, which began at 8:30 a.m.

After the flag was raised, the National Anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.

“The veterans thank you very much for sharing this important day with them,” said Jack McLain, Maricopa VFW post commander.

The Junior ROTC program at MHS was formed in January with retired Air Force Maj. Jim Alonzo as the leader. Alonzo said the program started with about 110 students and has now grown to 140.

“The program has been well supported from the administrators to the teachers,” said Alonzo, who served in the Air Force for 20 years, including the Philippines and Alaska.