State’s Vietman vets to be lauded

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s Vietnam veterans will receive a welcome home and thank you proclamation during the state Legislature’s Military and Veterans Day on Friday.

The theme for the annual event is “New Mexico Vietnam Veterans Remembered” and a proclamation in their honor will be read. Some 60,000 New Mexicans served in the Vietnam War.

Joining in the activities will be National Vietnam Memorial Wall architect Jan Scruggs and Purple Heart recipient Drew Dix, as well as New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

The festivities begin at 11:45 a.m. with a performance by the 44th Army Band and a flyover by Vietnam-era Huey helicopters, according to the NMDVS.

Garcia, who served in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, said that this year’s ceremony is one that should have happened years ago when those who served came home.

“Most of us never got a ‘welcome home’ reception or an official ‘thank you,’” he said. “Too often we were instead greeted by jeering crowds who were angry at us for fighting what was for many an unpopular war.”

Garcia and the special guests will honor all New Mexico veterans, including the 55 New Mexicans who have lost their lives fighting in the War on Terrorism, the NMDVS said.

The Military and Veterans Day is an annual event that provides the state’s veterans the opportunity to meet legislators and discuss proposed laws that affect veterans.