PRESCOTT ARIZONA REAL ESTATE – METAL

Bob Stump Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Courtesy Sen. John McCain pins medals on Ward Farley, a Navajo World War II veteran, who never physically received the medals he was awarded.

By Lisa Irish The Daily Courier

More than 300 people attended the Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday at the Bob Stump Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center where Sen. John McCain presented seven medals to a Navajo World War II veteran.

Many veterans and families with children enjoyed the hour-long ceremony that included the medal presentation, a procession, a wreath-laying ceremony, and a gun salute to the fallen.

Brandon George Begaye brought his wife and four daughters to celebrate his great-grandfather, Ret. Army infantry rifleman Ward Farley, receiving his medals from McCain.

“I’m grateful for everything that the armed forces, the veterans, and he (Farley) have done for us,” Begaye said.

Kiwanis members handed out small flags and programs for the ceremony and Representatives Andy Tobin and Lucy Mason greeted people as the arrived.

The ceremony began with a short procession featuring the American Legion Ernest A. Love Post #6 Color Guard, then the Camp Verde Cavalry, Arizona Rough Riders, Scottish American Military Service Color Guard, Northern Arizona All Airborne, and the Young Marines Color Guard.

“We recognize our veterans, their valor and rejoice in the blessings their bravery has secured. We know nothing of their individual thoughts and feelings as they met their fate,” said James Belmont, acting associate director of the VA Medical Center. “But we know they died thinking of their buddies and their families. They paid the ultimate price for freedom, and we honor them for it.”

During the ceremony, Stewart Farley, Ward Farley’s son, thanked everyone for being there for his father and his family.

“He wants to tell you guys that there are people out there who love him, and he appreciates this. I’ve seen him suffer for many years with his PTSD,” Stewart Farley said on behalf of his father.

Then Ame Callahan, spokeswoman for the Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System, introduced John M. Chavez of the Military Order of the Purple Heart who retrieved Farley’s medals.

“This has been a one-year journey for me, and a 65-year journey for Mr. Ward Farley,” Chavez said.

Chavez described how Farley, who served in the Timberwolf Division, was seriously wounded in the attack on Cologne, Germany, as they crossed the Roer River on Feb. 23, 1945, outflanking the enemy and saving many lives.

Farley was seriously wounded in the attack and laid on the battlefield for two days before he was found and evacuated to England for treatment. Farley returned to America, and later received a medical retirement on Dec. 4, 1945.

After leaving the Army, Farley returned to ranching on the Navajo reservation in southeast Utah. Although Farley’s retirement papers show he was awarded seven different medals, he never physically received them.

Before presenting Farley with his medals, McCain thanked everyone there.

“Friends, as we observe another Memorial Day, many Americans will greet it as the unofficial beginning of summer,” McCain said. “And in cemeteries all over the country, a bugler will sound taps to remind us of the sacrifice the day is meant to commemorate.”

“War is wretched beyond all description,” McCain said. “When nations seek to resolve their differences by force of arms, a million tragedies ensue.

“Ward Farley and our other veterans here today, know that you who endure the heartache, do it so that the worst thing might not befall us. That America might be secure in her freedom.”

After Farley received his medals, women dressed in white from many local veteran service organizations presented wreaths at the bronze Battlefield Cross.

Then the American Legion Post #6 Honor Guard and the Arizona Rough Riders performed a gun salute for the fallen, and Thomas Kolsbun and John Stevens played Taps.

Kapu Eby, said she and her husband, Jay Eby, brought their three children, to the ceremony out of sense of patriotism.

“We want our kids to be aware of and honor the veterans who made sacrifices for our freedom,” Eby said.