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Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.
While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Marana, AZ offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.
Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.
Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:
We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.
Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.
Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.
Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.
Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.
We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.
Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.
If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level
We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.
With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.
Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.
Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.
At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.
Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.
When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.
Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.
Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.
If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.
With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.
Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.
You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.
Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.
Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.
You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.
Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.
We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.
With our mobile storage containers for rent in Marana, AZ, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.
We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Marana, AZ, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.
Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.
-Rivian 40' Office Delivery R1
- Office Storage Combo for Rent
- Office 2017-7 R1
- Monitoring Station 1 R1
- Custom Communications Tower M R1
You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.
You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.
With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.
No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.
We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.
While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.
Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.
Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.
Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.
Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.
Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.
You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.
Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.
Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Marana, AZ. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.
Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.
Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.
When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.
Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @
520.292.1332About a month ago, Sam Mills, the head coach of the Marana Little League junior softball All-Star team, handed out postcards to all 12 members of his squad. They featured images from the state of Washington, site of the Junior League Softball World Series.He asked his players to write messages to themselves as if they already had won the West Region tournament — about plays and memories they had made, about how excited they were to be in Kirkland for the World Series.“Put it up in your bathroom,” Mills told th...
About a month ago, Sam Mills, the head coach of the Marana Little League junior softball All-Star team, handed out postcards to all 12 members of his squad. They featured images from the state of Washington, site of the Junior League Softball World Series.
He asked his players to write messages to themselves as if they already had won the West Region tournament — about plays and memories they had made, about how excited they were to be in Kirkland for the World Series.
“Put it up in your bathroom,” Mills told the girls. “Look at it every day. Touch it every day.”
The gesture helped instill an unwavering sense of belief in Marana’s players.
“They just embraced that,” Mills said. “ ‘We are gonna make it.’ ”
Then they went out and did it.
Marana won the West Region tournament with a pair of victories Wednesday night at Arthur Pack Regional Park, punching its ticket to the World Series. Pool play begins Sunday, with the championship set for Saturday, Aug. 5. Almost every game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Marana’s traveling party of 16 — 12 players, three coaches and one “team advocate,” aka Team Mom — landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Thursday afternoon. They can now send those postcards home from their dream destination.
“I can’t believe that 24 hours ago we were yet to play that second game, and here we are already checked in in Seattle and part of the experience,” Mills said from his hotel room in Kirkland on Thursday night. “It’s a surreal-type moment.”
His team never stopped believing in itself. On the second day of the West Region tournament, Marana lost 10-5 to Magnolia Little League of Seattle. One more defeat, and Marana would be out.
“As you looked in the faces of all the girls, every single one of them was like, ‘We got this,’ ” Mills said. “It was just a belief. As a coach, you can sense that and feel it.”
Marana, the tournament host, proceeded to win five consecutive elimination games, including a 2-1 nail-biter over Alaska and two victories in the championship round over the Magnolia squad that had defeated Marana on Day 2.
“The buildup to those championship games, something that the team had worked so hard in preparation for, the goal of winning and advancing to the Little League World Series, the dream those girls had becoming a reality — it was just an incredible moment to share with those young ladies, to see the smiles on their faces,” Mills said. “It was pretty awesome.”
Although Tucson has a tradition of excellence in youth baseball and softball, it’s rare for a team from the area to advance to an international Little League World Series.
Starting with Tucson Cactus in 1973, Southern Arizona has had five World Series champions and three runners-up. Mills’ team is the first from Marana Little League, in baseball or softball, to make a World Series and the first from District 5 (which covers the northern half of Tucson) since Pusch Ridge’s junior softball team won it all in 2008.
“It’s definitely a significant accomplishment,” said Carl Thompson, the administrator for District 5 and chairman of Arizona State Little League. “We’ve had a very good year for Southern Arizona. It is a rare occurrence for a Tucson team to get that far.”
Two Tucson baseball teams, Randolph (juniors) and Canyon View (12U), are playing in West Region tournaments this upcoming week.
While Marana’s run to the World Series was uncommon, it was no accident.
Marana participated in the West Region tournament last year with mostly the same team — 10 of 12 players returned this year — and won a pair of games before being eliminated. Not bad for a squad consisting primarily of 13-year-olds.
At that point, Mills huddled with assistant coach Chris Beck to discuss the next steps. They zeroed in on one question: “What do we need to do to get better?”
Many of the girls had played together since 2019, but the coaches believed they needed more reps against quality opponents. So they decided to form a club team.
“We went out and performed well in the club world and came back to Little League to give it that one last run,” Mills said. “Our goal (was) to get to the World Series. That was part of the process.”
The West Region tournament came down to a rematch vs. Seattle Magnolia. After Marana won the first game 16-5, weather caused a delay of more than two hours. Marana’s players stayed loose by doing their best “Footloose.” They danced.
“It’s a fun group,” Mills said. “There’s a loose and a fun feel, which comes through that friendship that they have off the field. That’s huge. I see some teams that are (like) a business.”
Mills manages the land department for the Tucson branch of D.R. Horton. He and wife Julie, a musician, have five children, including four girls. Malia, the middle child, is a pitcher and outfielder for the Marana All-Stars.
Chris Beck’s wife, Jackie, is serving as the Team Mom this week. Their daughter Cadence is one of Marana’s top pitchers and sluggers. Her sister, Brooke, is also on the squad.
The other assistant coach, Jason Angell, is the father of Addie. The other members of the team are Adelaide Bradshaw, Bella Brooks-Rojel, Aubriana Gray, Kyla Layton, Addy Lee, Mariah Moreno, Bella Sayre and Emma Winter.
All the families were thrown for a loop when Little League International sent an email at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, informing the team that it was booked on a flight for Seattle at noon that day. Even Thompson, the veteran district administrator, was under the impression that the team would be leaving Friday.
“How many of my parents are awake right now?” Mills wondered when he saw the email. “And what are they gonna do when I send out a mass text?”
A mad scramble ensued to get the girls ready and make sure all their documentation was in order. Sleep was scarce.
“Who needs sleep?” Mills said with a laugh.
He got assistance from Marana Little League president Todd McGee, who helped with communication, paperwork and whatever else the team needed.
“It was super hectic, but I definitely wouldn’t change it for anything,” McGee said. “To be able to do this on behalf of the girls and their parents, it’s the whole reason we volunteer.”
The 10 squads participating in the World Series received their uniforms, took team photos and had meetings Friday. Saturday’s festivities included opening ceremonies, a skills contest and a barbecue dinner.
Marana, which is in Pool B, faces Latin America in its first game at 9 a.m. Sunday. Every team is guaranteed at least five games, with the top four teams in each pool advancing to single-elimination championship play.
No matter where they finish, the Marana girls are scheduled to fly home on Sunday, Aug. 6. School starts the next day at Marana High School.
Imagine starting your high school career as a World Series champion.
“That is the game plan,” Mills said. “We’re here. Why not win it, right?”
Contact sports reporter Michael Lev at mlev@tucson.com. On Twitter: @michaeljlev
Who: Marana All-Stars vs. Olmeca (Mexico City)
What: Junior League Softball World Series
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Kirkland, Wash.
Watch: ESPN+
Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion
The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the town of Marana is in violation of state law after forcing future homeowners to bear the complete costs of a new wastewater reclamation facility.The justices said in an unanimous decision that development investment fees may not be imposed onto new residents if it is a burden that all taxpayers should carry equally, according to state law.The justices emphasized that their ruling was to not second-guess Marana’s policy judgements about what is needed to obtain a 100-year water s...
The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the town of Marana is in violation of state law after forcing future homeowners to bear the complete costs of a new wastewater reclamation facility.
The justices said in an unanimous decision that development investment fees may not be imposed onto new residents if it is a burden that all taxpayers should carry equally, according to state law.
The justices emphasized that their ruling was to not second-guess Marana’s policy judgements about what is needed to obtain a 100-year water supply, but to “narrowly construe the Town’s authority to assess development fees… to ensure that new residents do not bear a disproportionate share of the costs of necessary public services.”
“As a threshold matter, most if not all of the acquired, new, improved, and expanded facilities clearly provide necessary public services,” Justice Clint Bolick wrote.
Back in 2012, Marana obtained the wastewater reclamation facility from Pima County. This allowed for the facility’s effluent to contribute to the 100-year water supply and use it to “recharge” the aquifer, demonstrating long-term water supply.
In 2017, Marana approved a Capital Improvement Project that would raise the town’s Class B+ water quality standard to the highest water quality possible, Class A+. But then, the town assigned 100% of the project debt to future water and sewer customers.
A lawsuit was then filed in 2018 by the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.
The court of appeals upheld the trial court’s decision to side with Marana saying that the intent of the project was “entirely for purposes of new development” and that the town’s assessment of development fees was valid. However, the state supreme court says that validity does not apply in this case when the need for improved facilities are “unchallenged.” The court also added that intent is irrelevant, especially when permission is determined through a town’s compliance with state requirements.
Marana’s attorneys contended, saying that the level of service for existing residents remained the same.
“They get tap water. They flush the toilet and it goes away.”
Bolick disagreed, saying that state law actually requires “new development costs [to be] based on the same level of service provided to the existing development,” which was B+ water quality– not A+. Yet, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality required Class A+, based on available technology.
“The uncontroverted evidence demonstrates that the improvement in water quality from B+ to A+, which ADEQ mandated as a condition of the project, provides healthier water that may be used for a wider variety of purposes— to the entire community’s benefit,” the justice wrote.
Now, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association may be able to argue expenses included in the fees. However, this does not mean that new development does not have to pay their proportionate share. The proper allocation of costs requires “evidence-based findings” under the state statute.
The state supreme court sent the case back to the trial court to determine cost allocation.
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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — After several years the town of Marana is finally getting a Fry's Superstore in Gladden Farms.
The new shopping center will break ground this spring off Lon Adams Road and Tangerine Road.
According to Marana officials, Kroger had bought the land and later tried to get it re-zoned and sell it off.
After failing to get it re-zoned, Kroger is now announcing they will break ground on the new Fry's Superstore this June.
"This is a huge announcement for north Marana," Marana Director of Economic Development and Tourism Curtis Woody said. "As I mentioned before there are no amenities up here."
Apparently, some other retail businesses could also pop up next to it.
"They've been needing a grocery store and other retail for many many years," she added. "Of course we've been trying to get any type of grocery up here."
The Fry's Superstore is expected to be completed in the beginning of January 2024.
For more details on the announcement, please visit the Town of Marana's website.
——-Denelle Confair is an anchor and investigative reporter for KGUN 9. It's been her dream to tell your stories for the past decade. She is extremely curious and wants to continue to use her storytelling for the greater good. Share your story ideas and important issues with Denelle by emailing denelle.confair@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, and Twitter.
Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Marana (West U.S.) has qualified for the eight-team final bracket of the Junior League Softball World Series despite losing Tuesday to Prague, Czech Republic (Europe-Africa), by a score of 15-12, giving the Southern Arizona team a 1-2 record in Pool B.Marana will advance to the final bracket that starts Thursday at Kirkland, Wash., because it has the tie-breaker against Mexico City (Latin America) for the fourth and last playoff spot out of Pool B.Mexico City, which lost Marana on the opening day of the World Series on Sunday, ...
Marana (West U.S.) has qualified for the eight-team final bracket of the Junior League Softball World Series despite losing Tuesday to Prague, Czech Republic (Europe-Africa), by a score of 15-12, giving the Southern Arizona team a 1-2 record in Pool B.
Marana will advance to the final bracket that starts Thursday at Kirkland, Wash., because it has the tie-breaker against Mexico City (Latin America) for the fourth and last playoff spot out of Pool B.
Mexico City, which lost Marana on the opening day of the World Series on Sunday, fell to 0-3 after its 10-4 loss to Prague later Tuesday. If Marana and Mexico City finish 1-3, Marana has the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Marana plays Sealy, Texas (Southwest U.S.) (2-1) on Wednesday at 11 a.m. to conclude play in Pool B. Mexico City faces Milford, Conn. (East U.S.) (3-0) at 2 p.m.
Here are the Pool B standings heading into the last day of pool play Wednesday (top four teams advance to the eight-team single-elimination final bracket):
Marana tallied 11 hits against Prague on Tuesday but it could not keep up with the Czechoslovakian team’s 18 hits.
Aubriana Gray and Cadence Beck each hit a home run for Marana, and Kyla Layton hit a triple.
Addie Angell’s bases-clearing double, Gray’s two-run home run and Isabella Brooks-Rojel’s two-run single highlighted a seven-run fourth inning for Marana that gave it a 7-3 lead.
Prague answered with five runs in the top of the fifth, but Marana responded with three more runs in the bottom of the inning to go back ahead 10-8.
Layton’s RBI triple was part of that rally.
Prague then scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 15-10 lead.
Beck hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, but Marana could not score more.
SUNDAY
JUNIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AT KIRKLAND (WASH.)Pool B: Marana (West U.S.) 15, Mexico City (Latin America) 4, 6 innings
MONDAY
JUNIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AT KIRKLAND (WASH.)Pool B: Millford, Conn. (East U.S.) 15, Marana (West U.S.) 0, 4 innings
TUESDAY
JUNIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AT KIRKLAND (WASH.)Pool B: Prague, Czech Republic (Europe-Africa) 15, Marana (West U.S.) 12
WEDNESDAY
JUNIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AT KIRKLAND (WASH.)Pool B: Marana vs. Sealy, Texas (Southwest U.S.), 11 a.m. (ESPN+)
THURSDAY
JUNIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES AT KIRKLAND (WASH.)Quarterfinals: Marana vs. TBD
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
AMERICAN LEGION WEST REGION: FAIRFIELD CATucson vs. League City (TX), 9:30 a.m.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
JUNIOR WEST REGION: BEND, OREGONRandolph vs. Northern California, 10 a.m.
AMERICAN LEGION WEST REGION: FAIRFIELD CATucson vs. TBD, 9:30 a.m. or 4 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
JUNIOR WEST REGION: BEND, OREGONRandolph vs. TBD, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
LITTLE LEAGUE WEST REGION: SAN BERNARDINOCanyon View vs. Hawaii, 4 p.m. (ESPN +)
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Veterans and volunteers gathered at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana to place flags and recognize the fallen heroes who fought for our freedom.Mike LaBarbera is the president of the Veteran’s Club at Sun City in Oro Valley and said it’s important people know the meaning of the holiday.“You don’t want to wish someone a Happy Memorial Day because that’s not what it’s for,” said LaBarbera.It’s a day of remembrance to honor those who...
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Veterans and volunteers gathered at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana to place flags and recognize the fallen heroes who fought for our freedom.
Mike LaBarbera is the president of the Veteran’s Club at Sun City in Oro Valley and said it’s important people know the meaning of the holiday.
“You don’t want to wish someone a Happy Memorial Day because that’s not what it’s for,” said LaBarbera.
It’s a day of remembrance to honor those who lost their lives fighting for our country.
Attendance at the cemetery was record-breaking. The event started at 8:00 a.m. and took just five minutes to place flags on 3,800 markings.
Bill Schaeffler Sr., VFW Arizona State Junior Vice Commander, said the attendance was shocking.
“When we pulled in we kind of were expecting six cars, and to see the entire parking lot covered in patriots and they’re all here putting flags in the ground before 8:00 AM, it was wonderful,” said Schaeffler.
Everyone in attendance had a different story or reason for serving.
“I’m a Vietnam Veteran Commemorative partner, where I give out Vietnam Veteran Pins to our members who served in Vietnam because of how badly we were treated back then and our country is now recognizing that,” said LaBarbera.
The focus of the event, though, was clear.
“Memorial Day is not for those of us who are still walking on this earth. The census bureau says more than one million Americans have given their lives and service to this country since 1861. That’s what this day is for, to honor and remember their sacrifice,” said Schaeffler.
Due to the high turnout, one veteran made a point to make her “thank you” a little more personal.
“By the time I got here, all the flags were already placed, so the next best thing for me was to honor every single veteran or military spouse that is laying here. I may not have a relationship with them, but I am bonded with them because we answered the call to serve,” said Monica Gupta-Abram, retired U.S. Army Officer.
She stopped at all 3,800 markings and gave her respects to every individual.
A reminder of what the day is actually about.
“The message that we really want people to get is we really hope they’re enjoying their Monday and enjoying their hot dog and going water skiing, but we want them to remember that this day was paid for. It’s not free,” said Schaeffler.
There will be a ceremony at the cemetery on Monday at 8:00 a.m.
The public is invited to attend.
Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold
Copyright 2023 13 News. All rights reserved.
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