On May 22, the Arizona Department of Transportation opened a third regular travel lane in each direction between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City, part of a three-year-long improvement project.

The Memorial Day ceremony saw numerous musical renditions of patriotic classics like "God Bless America," the folding of the U.S. flag, the pledge of allegiance and a prayer dedicated to veterans.

Heard said the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona is the final resting place for over 100,000 veterans and their family members, including five members of the Navajo Code Talkers.