On Sept. 1, the Department of Arizona was honored to have three officers representing the department at the Veteran of the Month ceremony at Post 62 (Peoria) celebrating the life of Ira H. Hayes. Ira H. Hayes Post 84 (Sacaton) had several members in attendance along with many of Ira's family. The ALR 62 Riders with others from two other posts provided a nearly 30-motorcycle escort bringing the Post 84 bus with family members and the Post 84 van with the post members into the ceremony. As the crowd gathered, Chaplain Hauf gave the opening prayer. The color guard came out, led by the Marine Corps flag. The flag from the August Veteran of the Month was lowered, folded and presented to the daughter. Then the accepted flag from the Hayes family was raised. There was a 21-gun salute and two bugle players performing. Commander McMullen told the story of Marine Ira H. Hayes and the story of Iwo Jima; only five of the platoon survived the attack. Kellis High School livestreamed the event, which was watched by some of the Arizona delegates at the national convention in Louisville. Channel 12 filmed a story that ran on the nightly news. Gila River Indian Network had cameras and reporters in attendance, as did the Peoria Independent. Following the ceremony everyone went inside the post, 62 presented a complimentary breakfast to the contingent from Sacaton, and everyone visited and told stories with respect. What an honor to be there to celebrate one of the most famous Marines who was at Iwo Jima. A thank-you to Paul Johnson, Area B vice commander, for leading the Department of Arizona group. How fitting as Paul was a career Navy corpsman who was stationed with Marines for 14 years of his career.