Memorial Day will be Observed Statewide with Numerous Ceremonies.

No matter where you live in New Mexico, there will be an event this weekend where you can go to observe Memorial Day--ranging from quaint small-town events to big parades.

Memorial Day is the day to honor and remember the men and women who’ve lost their lives while serving in the military. It falls on the last Monday in May and was first observed in 1865 to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War, when it was known as “Decoration Day.”

It became commonly known as Memorial Day in 1882. But it took until 1967 before the U.S. Congress officially declared the day be known as Memorial Day.

To many Americans, it also signals the unofficial beginning of Summer, something which irritates many others like New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia--who fear the true meaning of the day has now been lost.

“Memorial Day should be more than just the arrival of warm weather,” said Garcia. “I wish more people would also take time to remember to honor our fallen heroes who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice. Freedom isn’t free. If it weren’t for them we wouldn’t be enjoying this three-day weekend and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.”

Garcia will be serving as Grand Marshall at the “Fly Freedoms Flag” ceremony and parade this Saturday at Elephant Butte Lake State Park.

The presentation of flags begins at 10am, followed by a POW/MIA service. Secretary Garcia will then board the lead boat at noon for the parade, which will also feature the tossing of Memorial Wreaths into the water. Hundreds of boaters are expected to participate.

Listing of Memorial Day Activities Statewide:

Alamogordo (Monday)
10am ceremony at the Monte Vista cemetery.
1130am ceremony at the Catholic cemetery

Albuquerque (Monday)
10am Ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Park. Theme is
“Honoring WWII Vets”
7pm Candlelight Vigil at Veterans’
Memorial Park

Angel Fire (Monday)
9am Ceremony
& Flag March to the Vietnam Memorial State Park

Carlsbad (Monday)
9am Parade & Ceremony at the Eddy County
Courthouse

Clovis (Monday)
10am Ceremony at Lawn
Haven Garden of Honor. “Fly-by” by Cannon AFB squad

Ft. Bayard (Monday)
10am Ceremony & Fly-over at the Ft. Bayard National
Cemetery

Ft. Stanton (Saturday)
11am Ceremony at
the Ft. Stanton National Cemetery

Gallup (Monday)
7am Sunrise Service at the Hillcrest
Cemetery
9am Ceremony & parade at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Parade
ends at Veterans’ Memorial Park

Hobbs (Monday)
9am Ceremony at the Prairie Haven
Cemetery

Las Cruces (Monday)
8am/4pm
Garrison Flag Raising/Lowering at Veterans’ Memorial
Park

Questa (Sunday)
1pm “Healing Field of Honor”
ceremony. Lt. Governor Denish and Treasurer James Lewis will attend

Weh Picks Journalist for Press Secretary

New Mexico businessman and Republican Allen Weh announced today that he has hired Christopher Sanchez as press secretary for his gubernatorial exploratory committee.

As a student, Sanchez served as the editor in chief of the New Mexico Daily Lobo, the independent newspaper at the University of New Mexico. Sanchez has written for several publications, including The Albuquerque Tribune, The Albuquerque Journal and The Denver Post. He is a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico where he served two years as president of the school’s Society of Professional Journalists and won a number of prizes for his journalistic work, including two Associated Press Managing Editors Awards.

“I am honored to work with Allen Weh as he explores a possible run for Governor in 2010,” Sanchez said. “New Mexicans will be voting for the candidate they feel will bring change to the Governor’s office. They will be looking for a leader who will put New Mexicans back to work without raising taxes, who will end corruption in state government, and who will stand up for our small businesses and our families. I believe that leader is Allen Weh.”

Sanchez said he looks forward to working with the committee and sharing Weh’s commitment to serving New Mexico.

“Christopher Sanchez will be a great asset to our team. He’s smart, he has great communication skills, and, as importantly, he shares my vision for making New Mexico a better place for the benefit of all the people,” Weh said.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley