Veterans' outreach impacted by state budget cuts

A delegation of New Mexicans places a memorial wreath to honor NM Soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider (below righ) at Arlington National Cemetery (above) last month -Photos by: Peter St. Cyr

New Mexico Secretary of Veterans' Services John Garcia, an Army veteran who served in Viet Nam himself, says he doesn't want across the board budget cuts to state agencies "laid on the back of my veterans."

We filmed this video with the Secretary on a recent "Boss Lift" trip to the nation's capitol, which was sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.



Veterans "have served the country to defend the free-enterprise system," Garcia said.

He believes cutting back on outreach to homeless vets and reducing veteran business development is a disservice to the more than 200,000 veterans who live in the state.

Garcia told us that when he took over the department, which was elevated to a cabinet level post in February, 2004, and has 17 field offices, its budget was less than $2 million dollars. After administrative expenses, including salaries for 20 accredited and certified veteran service officer, there was only $200,000 left for veterans, or $1 per vet. That budget as quadrupled, but still only provides $4 per veteran.

"With the recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan I've got an influx of new veterans - a new generation of veterans - and it's tough to find them," Garcia said. "Veterans just don't walk into our office and say 'I want my benefits.' We've got to find them. I don't want them to wait thirty years, like I did and many Viet Nam Vets did. We have to be very proactive and do our outreach of services."

Garcia says after meeting with Governor Bill Richardson, shortly after the special session, that both men are disappointed that the agency was marked for cuts similar to other agencies.

"It' difficult when you're talking about a budget cut and my veterans are on the firing line between the legislative body and the executive," Garcia said.

Garcia says after all veterans "give us the freedoms we enjoy!

Statewide Veterans Day celebrations planned

A host of ceremonies are planned across New Mexico today.

A parade at Bullhead Memorial Park gets underway at 9:30 in Albuquerque. It will travel down San Pedro, up Gibson and end at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial. Ceremonies there begin at 11.

Another event is planned at the Veterans Memorial Park in Santa Fe on Pinetree Road. A parade in the capital city gets underway, at Bishops Lodge at 10am.

Keep in mind, City, County, State and Federal offices are closed for the holiday. So are most courts, banks and the post office.

Editor's note:

On Veterans Day 2009 we've decided to add the New Mexico Veterans websiteto our blog roll. Please check out Floyd Vasquez' posts regularly to see what's happening, for veterans across the state, and to see how you can volunteer to help or participate in important events benefiting our state's honored veterans.

UPDATE: 9:26

The chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico Javier Gonzales has issued a written statement honoring veterans.

New Mexicans have a proud history of serving their country as members of the United States’ Armed Forces. The Democratic Party of New Mexico remembers and honors all New Mexicans who have served, are serving or have paid the ultimate price to our great Nation.

To read the rest of Gonzales' comments read his blog post at the state party's blog here.

Chevron Donates Land for Code Talker's Museum

Chevron Corporation will honor the Navajo Code Talkers Association (NCTA) with a gift of more than 200 acres of land. It will be used for a code talker's museum and veteran’s center and for other economic development goals.

The Navajo Code Talkers, who served in all six Marine divisions from 1942 to 1945 during WWII, constructed a code from their native language and have been credited with saving countless lives and hastening the end of the war. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.

The official ceremony is Friday, just outside of the Navajo Nation Capital of Window Rock, AZ.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will speak, along with members of the NCTA including President Keith Little and Vice President Samuel Tso, as well as Chevron Mining president, Fred Nelson. New Mexico Veterans' Services Secretary John Garcia, dignitaries, veterans and other community members are also attending the July 31st ceremony.

Remembering NM Troops Serving Overseas at Thanksgiving!

It's the time of year when we are reminded to give thanks, and we are reminded this morning that we are most thankful for the troops who have bravely served the country overseas.

Of course, New Mexicans are thankful for the many local men and women who have served in battle this year. On Monday, we talked to NM Veterans Affairs Secretary John Garcia about his legislative priorities for next year. He says he's preparing for the return of New Mexican troops who have been deployed overseas. Garcia also tells us about the collaborative efforts the state has with the Feds to ensure vets needs are met locally.

Listen to our interview here.



Millions of Americans are celebrating the annual Thanksgiving Day holiday Thursday with a traditional feast with friends and family. President George Bush is spending his last Turkey Day holiday at the Camp David presidential retreat outside of Washington, while his successor, President-elect Barack Obama is in Chicago.

The president thanked 7,500 military troops, just back from the Middle East for their service, two days ago at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. About 10,000 Fort Campbell troops have returned from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since October. But, other troops are scheduled to depart for the regions in the coming week.

Thanksgiving is even being observed in space. Today the astronauts and a cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station are marking the day. The U.S. space agency NASA says the crew of the orbiting outpost are dining today on a special freeze-dried meal of traditional foods including green beans and mushrooms, candied yams, cranapple dessert, cornbread stuffing and smoked turkey.

Earthbound citizens have lots of dinner options and most of them are not freezed dried. We found these great Paula Deen recipes featuring Honey game hens online at ABC News.

The United States has officially observed Thanksgiving since 1863, although the first Thanksgiving is believed to have taken place in 1621. UNM History Professor Ferenc Szasz talks about the founding of the national holiday of Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln in this interview with UNM's Senior Communication Representative Carolyn Gonzales.

We'll be off for the next few days sharing, caring and laughing with family and friends. We wish you and yours a safe and memorable Thanksgiving.

Last week we went Frozen Turkey bowling in Los Alamos with fellow blogger LP at the NMFBIHOP. Enjoy the video from our first experience with turkey bowling.