By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

In honor of Veterans Day, the City of Goodyear hosted a week-long series of events dedicated to honoring local heroes. From Tuesday, Nov. 5 to Monday, Nov. 11, residents gathered at Goodyear Civic Square to participate in a variety of activities celebrating military service members.

The celebration kicked off with an opening ceremony that included a presentation of colors by representatives from Luke Air Force Base, followed by a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by Basis Goodyear’s band.

“This city is dedicated to supporting Luke Air Force Base, located right here in the West valley. We have a great partnership with Luke, with many service members living here in Goodyear,” said Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo.

As the band was playing and throughout the evening, the city shared collected stories from local veterans on a slideshow honoring local veterans.

Throughout the week, visitors to Goodyear City Hall had the opportunity to pick up a veteran appreciation yard sign, write heartfelt messages to veterans, and plant flags in the park’s Flag Garden.

As part of the festivities, ten commissioned artists created 8-foot murals that brought patriotism to life. One of the featured artists, Cynthia Bluford Mejia, a fine artist and photographer based in Surprise, Bluford Mejia's father was a Marine, and many of her uncles served across various branches of the military.

 Her mural, which was among the 10 works displayed during the festival on Monday, Nov. 11, was a tribute to service members featuring a silhouetted servicemember on a seascape.

Bluford Mejia said the candlelight represents a vigil for all the veterans who have fallen, the beach signifies the meeting point of sea, land, and sky which shows common places of service, the blue angels soaring in the sky celebrate those currently serving, while the fireworks represent the gratitude and appreciation for all veterans, past and present.

“Tonight is about celebrating the men and the women, those in the past, those in the present, who are serving and who protect our country, and that’s what my mural represents,” Bluford Mejia said.

The week culminated in a community gathering at Goodyear Civic Square on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event featured a concert, the mural display, and activities for children.

“Celebrating people, the people who protect, is what this is about,” Bluford Mejia said. “We’re bringing all the people together and appreciating who we are, what we are about, and knowing that we are together.”

Food lovers enjoyed a variety of offerings from veteran-owned food trucks, including C.H.E.W. Philly, Mark's Best BBQ, Cuties Lemonade, Bereisheet 129 Vegan, and Kabobski.

In appreciation of their service, the first 250 veterans to attend the event received a $10 credit towards food truck purchases.

“We are grateful to our military, to the men and women who serve this country,” said Pizzillo.