Mesa will donate 13 World War II medals, ribbons and stars recovered by police last year to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Arizona Wing Aviation Museum after an unsuccessful attempt to reunite the items with their proper owners.
“It is only right that the city donate medals of an unknown, but highly decorated, veteran to a military museum in Mesa,” Mayor Scott Smith said Monday in a statement. “The medals are in good hands with the CAF, who will display them and allow people to appreciate the heroism and sacrifices of the recipient.”
The donation will be made Saturday during the third annual Gathering of Legends, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa.
The items being donated include a World War II Victory Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart and Southeast Asia Service Medal. Daniel “Boon” Harsh with Apache Junction American Legion Post 27 made the display box using curly maple wood.
Sue Phillips, manager of Things Remembered at Superstition Springs Center, donated labels for the medals, according to city spokesman Kevin Christopher.
Slabside posted at 6:11 pm on Mon, Nov 8, 2010.
God bless all of our military heros past, present and future.[innocent]