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Geronimo Monument was created to be a Living Monument, that is to say, that the Land itself is the Monument. Since the September 1995 dedication of 140 acres we have added 160 contiguous acres to the Monument. This is a very minute amount of land considering that all of Cochise County was designated "Chiricahua Apache Reservation."

It's location is Milepost 415 on Highway 80 East near the Arizona/New Mexico State line. It is approximately 10 miles north of Apache, Arizona where the "Geronimo Surrenders Monument" is located. Many Native Americans see the "Surrenders Monument" as derogatory and visually insulting. The Chiricahua Apaches refer to it as the "Monument to Ignorance."

We believe that the "Surrenders Monument" removal, would go a long way in establishing a new and more positive relationship with the Chiricahua Apaches and all Native American Communities throughout Arizona, New Mexico and the United States. That if a monument should exist there, it should be marked as the spot where near here the surrender took place and should tell both sides of the story. Not just the glorification of the American Army's story of deceit.

The City of Douglas erected the "Geronimo Surrenders Monument" in 1934. In September 1997, we went before the Douglas City Council and requested the dismantling of the "Surrenders Monument."

Their response at first was to remove the plaque with their name on it but leave the visually insulting pile of stone. The plaque refers to the Chiricahua Apaches as "hostiles".

When we reiterated that the whole monument should be removed, their final response was to "table" the request, thus successfully suppressing this issue. Not once since September 1997 has this issue been discussed. One Council member, Rudy Quinonez, stated that when his "Native American" brothers came to ask for the removal, then he would consider voting.

It is our hope that Native Americans and others will participate in the dismantling of the "Geronimo Surrenders Monument" and help us to continue to create a Real Monument to Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apaches.

If you decide to send an e-mail to the members of the City Council of Douglas about this issue please send a duplicate of your correspondence to the following e-mail address, (ShannonBlvd@aol.com). This will insure that they cannot ignore at least voting on the dismantling of the "Geronimo Surrenders Monument."

Thank You for Your Support

Douglas City Council email addresses:

Writing to individual City Council members routed through connie.martinez@ci.douglas.az.us

Ward 1: Robert Marrufo - Voted No (to tabling)

Ward 2: Sergio Mendez - Voted Yes

Ward 3: Ramon Jordan - Voted Yes

Ward 4: Harry Ames - Voted Yes (second the motion to table)

Ward 5: Dale Davis - Voted No (to tabling)

Ward 6: Rudy Quinonez - Voted Yes (Tabled the agenda item)

Mayor: Ray Borane - Voted Yes

Email address for City Manager: michael.ortega@ci.douglas.az.us