Scottsdale’s 2023 Veterans Day Commemoration will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, on the Memorial Lawn at Scottsdale Civic Center in partnership with American Legion Post 44 and other veterans service organizations.

This year’s keynote speaker is Michael McLaughlin, Rear Admiral, United States Navy (retired), who had a 30-year career in the U.S. Naval Submarine force. McLaughlin graduated from high school in Mesa, and is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

McLaughlin’s Navy service included billets as commanding officer, USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701), Commodore of Submarine Squadron 11 and Chief of Staff of Naval Submarine Forces. He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and finished his naval service as Commander, Submarine Group Two, comprising the 25 attack submarines on the East Coast.

In 2011, McLaughlin joined Arizona Public Service where he worked at Palo Verde Generating Station for 11 years, retiring in 2022 as Vice President of Site Services.

Scottsdale’s annual Veterans Day commemoration is emceed by Mayor David D. Ortega, and in addition to the keynote speaker, includes remarks from representatives of Scottsdale’s American Legion Post 44 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 3513.

In years past, Scottsdale’s commemoration was held on Veterans Day afternoon at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. This year, the morning event will take place at the Civic Center Memorial Lawn – the area adjacent to City Hall that includes Scottsdale’s Memorial for the Fallen, dedicated earlier this year, and the Chaplain sculpture, honoring veterans and the chaplains who have served as spiritual advisors to military comrades.

The Scottsdale Fire Department Pipe and Drums kicks off the program at 10:30 a.m. with a half-hour of patriotic music.

For more information about this event, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Veterans Day.”