HD South, the town of Gilbert, the town's Veteran’s Advisory Board, and American Legion Post 39 will host a Memorial Day ceremony from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27 at the Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive.
The event will include a flag and wreath ceremony, the battlefield cross, the POW/MIA table, and remarks from local Gilbert dignitaries, including Mayor Brigette Peterson.
The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket or lawn chair for seating. The Gilbert Historical Museum will be open for free following the event until noon.
Guest speakers include U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer Ryan G. Nichols and U.S. Army Col. Ed Alexander.
Chief Warrant Officer Ryan G. Nichols is a third-generation native of Gilbert who was influenced by many of the town’s prominent citizens growing up. He enlisted in the Navy in May 1993 after graduating from Gilbert High School in 1992.
Upon completion of boot camp in San Diego, he was trained as an aviation electronics technician and completed numerous deployments onboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.
In 2008, he transitioned from the enlisted ranks when he was commissioned to Chief Warrant Officer for Aviation Maintenance. He continued to deploy to the Middle East and Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the withdrawal from Afghanistan while serving onboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5), HSM-75, VUP-19, and USS Tripoli (LHA-7).
Ashore, he was assigned to the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest and Naval Technical Training Unit Miramar between sea tours.
His career culminated with his tour as the assistant maintenance cfficer for Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific from 2021 to 2023.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy, and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (nine awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Meritorious Unit commendations and numerous other personal and unit awards.
Army Colonel Ed Alexander served 28 years on active duty. He commanded at all levels, and 20 of those years were out of the U.S, while serving in Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, Korea, and two tours in combat in Vietnam.
After retiring, he spent 22 years as vice president of a business development consulting firm which helped defense contractors develop state-of-the-art defense assets. Those firms included Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Microsoft and dozens more.
As both a soldier and civilian, Alexander has served more than 50 years in the defense of our nation. Alexander and his wife, Diane, have been full-time residents of Gilbert since 2008.
Gilbert veterans looking for resources that are available for themselves and their family, or if they would like to connect with other local veterans, can learn more by visiting the Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board webpage .
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