by Staff Reporter | May 28, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A heartwarming scene unfolded in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport over the weekend.
The Cisneros family of Phoenix welcomed home their loved one after six months at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina: Marine Corporal Josue Cisneros. The young Marine was able to return home in time for a Memorial Day gathering with family, as well as his sister’s graduation and his own birthday.
The nonprofit organization Miles for Military made the reunion possible. This Massachusetts-based nonprofit covers the cost of flights home to the most junior service members in exchange for volunteer hours with 501c3 charities. These flights home enable service members to be home for the moments that matter most: holidays, family celebrations, and emergencies.
Cisneros expressed how great of an honor it is to wear the uniform and serve his country, and his gratitude for Miles for Military. Along with his family and friends, Cisneros told Fox 10 he planned to save some quality time for man’s best friend: his loyal dog.
“My family, they mean the world to me. It’s really great to be honest,” said Cisneros. “If it wasn’t for Miles for Military I would not be able to be here for the next two weeks, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity they gave me.”
Marine mother Maureen Byrne founded Miles for Military in 2021 after discovering many of her son’s fellow Marines couldn’t afford to fly home.
Cisneros is part of a storied legacy of Arizonans who take up the noble cause of serving their country, knowing they will potentially make the ultimate sacrifice.
While Cisneros was able to return home to his family this Memorial Day, we acknowledge and remember those who never came home.
Approximately 25,000 American soldiers died during the Revolutionary War — the first to give their lives in defense of America.
Over the next century, more war would challenge the resolve of the fledgling nation: approximately 2,400 American soldiers died in the War of 1812; over 13,000 soldiers died in the Mexican-American War; and over 2,400 soldiers died in the Spanish-American War. Then, America endured what remains the bloodiest conflict in her young history.
An estimated 360,000 Union soldiers and 250,000 Confederate soldiers died during the Civil War. Some of those residing in the Arizona territory ultimately joined the Confederacy.
The Civil War would inspire the first recognition of a Memorial Day in 1868, initially known as Decoration Day.
Of course, Arizona wouldn’t come to be a state until 1912 — just two years before the breakout of the first World War, and five years before the U.S. joined the conflict.
According to the best available data, the following are the total numbers of Arizonans who gave the ultimate sacrifice across the wars of the last and present century: over 300 during World War I, over 1,600 during World War II, over 200 during the Korean War, over 600 during the Vietnam War, five during the Persian Gulf War, and over 150 across the recent conflicts throughout the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | May 29, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Many Arizona government officials marked the solemn Memorial Day holiday.
Senator Sonny Borrelli said, “As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, I know many of you might be marking the occasion with barbecues, parties, trips to the lake, and maybe even parades. During this time, I hope you’ll also take a moment to reflect on brave men and women who’ve selflessly served our country and paid the ultimate price so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy today. I served as a Gunnery Sergeant with the U.S. Marines, and l’ve lost a number of brothers and sisters in the military, so this is a somber time for me. We always knew the dangers we would be facing, but we did the job anyways because we love our country.
Borrelli added, “Across the street from the Arizona Capitol at Wesley Bolin Plaza, you’ll find a variety of memorials honoring those who’ve served at Pearl Harbor, in Vietnam, in World Wars 1 and II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm. I encourage you to make a visit sometime. Freedom isn’t free. God bless the fallen.”
The Arizona House Democrats Caucus “X” account shared, “Today, we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Don’t forget to reflect and appreciate what Memorial Day is truly for.”
Governor Katie Hobbs posted a video to pay tribute to the solemn holiday, writing, “On Memorial Day, we come together to memorialize the brave men and women who laid down their lives for us. Today, I encourage every Arizonan to reflect on their lives and think about how they give back to their communities in their honor.”
The “X” account for the Office of the Arizona State Treasurer noted, “Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee honors and recognizes the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
The Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus’ “X” account said, “Freedom comes at a high cost, and we must continually protect it as Americans. Thank you to the heroes who sacrificed it all for our country.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes added, “Today we honor & mourn the brave souls who gave their lives defending our country – the ultimate sacrifice. May we reflect on what they fought for, today and every day.”
House Speaker Ben Toma stated, “Today, we honor and remember the brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Let us keep them in our hearts and minds this Memorial Day. God bless the departed, their families, and those currently serving protecting our great country.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, “On this Memorial Day, we honor the fallen heroes who gave their lives for our nation. We will always remember their courage and dedication.”
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office shared a video from County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, writing, “On Memorial Day, we reflect on the bravery of those who gave everything for our freedom. We think of their family and friends who’ve lost so much so our communities may thrive in peace. Today, we honor and remember them.”
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck posted, “On this Memorial Day we remember and honor the brave men and women who lost their lives defending this great country. Let us never forget their courageous sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | May 29, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
As Americans around the country honored the fallen men and women who have worn our country’s uniform on Memorial Day, Arizona Legislators paid their own homage to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation’s freedoms and Constitution.
May we never forget and always be appreciative of the great debt we owe to all the individuals who have laid down their lives to protect American freedom. We live in the greatest country in the world and have so much to be thankful for – because of the service and sacrifice of these men and women who are no longer with us.
God bless and keep the United States of America.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
