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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ -1) today announced that he has secured 30 American flags for the Prescott Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post # 10227 to be used for a Memorial Day display along highway 69 in Prescott Valley. The Prescott Valley VFW will also display the flags on Flag Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day. Post Commander Wesley Walker contacted Congressman Renzi’s office to request assistance in replacing 30 flags because many of the two hundred flags that are normally used have deteriorated and are unable to be respectfully displayed.
“I believe that Memorial Day is perhaps the most important holiday our nation celebrates,” said Congressman Renzi. “It recognizes the sacrifices made by our courageous men and women who have fallen in defense of our nation’s liberty. And without these brave Americans, no other holidays would be possible.”
According to Commander Walker, the idea to display the flags was conceived by Ralph Untz, the Commander of the VFW post at the time and was assisted by Jack Jewel from the Chamber of Commerce. This began in 1985 when Ralph presented the idea to the Chamber and they readily agreed to the idea and Jack offered to help with procuring funds to purchase all the needed supplies. They started out with thirty flags from Robert Road east to Navajo Road in 1985. The next year it increased to 100 and currently the Prescott Valley VFW post displays more than 200 flags during patriotic American holidays.
Earlier this year, Congressman Renzi was successful in securing more than 80 acres at Camp Navajo for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to establish a state run cemetery for veterans in rural Arizona. Approximately 2700 veterans will die every year in rural Arizona and Congressman Renzi said that they have earned a dignified final resting place that will be a lasting tribute to their service to our nation. Renzi last week voted to provide a higher quality of life for the members of America’s military and veterans as the House approved a $2.6 billion increase in spending above last year’s funding levels. The funding increase will be used to help not only current veterans but will help returning veterans from the conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
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