In November, Scottsdale will proudly recognize veterans and active-duty service members through a series of events and tributes, including a Veterans Day ceremony, guided hike, and a banner display celebrating those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Scottsdale Salutes its veterans on street banners | Oct. 27 – Nov. 17

For the first half of November, nearly 50 banners featuring Scottsdale veterans and active military personnel will line street poles in Old Town Scottsdale. City founder Winfield Scott, who served in the Union Army as a captain in the 126th New York Volunteer Infantry, is honored with a banner each year. He was wounded five times during the war, including during the 1863 battle at Gettysburg.

The Scottsdale Salutes program was initiated by the city’s Veterans Advisory Commission as part of its charge to elevate awareness and appreciation for veterans in the community.

Decorated Scottsdale veterans will drop the ball at Army vs. Navy polo match | Nov. 8

Army takes on Navy at the 2025 Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

In recognition of National Veterans & Military Families Month, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships includes the first ever Arizona matchup of the Army and Navy polo squads at noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

To further honor the local military community, the match will feature a special "first drop" to begin the game. Decorated Vietnam veterans Frank Lambert (U.S. Army) and Denny Wisely (U.S. Navy) will represent their respective services in the ceremonial "first drop" for the match. Both men are Scottsdale residents whose military service is honored through the city’s Scottsdale Salutes annual recognition program.

Learn more and purchase tickets at ThePoloParty.com.

Veterans Day Hike | Nov. 11

Join the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy for a guided hike through the scenic McDowell Sonoran Preserve as we pay tribute to veterans. The morning adventure concludes with a special ceremony.

• Tuesday, Nov. 11
• 8 - 10:30 a.m.
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve
• Lost Dog Trailhead - 601 N 124th St.
• Register
  

Veterans Day Commemoration | Nov. 11

The city’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration will once again bring the community together to express gratitude to our nation’s heroes. The event will feature remarks from local leaders, a keynote address from Air Force veteran Mario Valencia, and a moment of remembrance. Mario will share his story of resilience and recovery as a survivor of the 1995 attack on the Khobar Towers barracks in Saudi Arabia.

• Tuesday, Nov. 11
• 10:30 a.m. – noon
• City Hall Memorial Lawn – 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
• FREE event
• No registration required

Remembering World War II:
Scottsdale’s military bases, home front and veterans 80 years later | Nov. 11

Scottsdale historian and U.S. Air Force veteran Joan Fudala will offer a photo-rich presentation of Scottsdale’s contributions to World War II, and the significant impact World War II veterans have made in Scottsdale’s evolution since 1945.

• 7 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11
• CattleTrack Arts Compound – 6105 N. CattleTrack Road
• FREE event
• No registration required; seating is limited

Explore the Scottsdale Veterans Trail

Scottsdale’s rich tradition of honoring those who serve continues with the Scottsdale Veterans Trail, an interactive online story map highlighting local sites that pay tribute to military service.

The trail features more than a dozen places of honor, including the Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Merci Train Car, and the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial at Scottsdale Airport.

Learn more and view the trail map by visiting ScottsdaleAZ.gov and searching ‘Scottsdale Veterans Trail.’

Veterans Resources
Learn more about veteran's resources and local organizations by visiting ScottsdaleAZ.gov and searching ‘veterans.’