Memorial Day 2019

: Category: Front Page News Front Page News; Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Alfred Ogas, Vietnam veteran 1968-69, served as the master of ceremonies and the guest speaker for the annual Memorial Day event at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

Marines from the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps Detachment 1328 posted and retired the colors.

Lorraine Anglin led the singing of the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by John Tedford, D.A.V. #1 commander.

Larry Gibbs, U.S. Army veteran, gave the invocation, followed by the presentation of wreaths by members of the community and veterans. Arlena Conklin, past D.A.V. New Mexico commander, read "In Flanders Fields."

The Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton, sang the "Armed Forces Salute" and invited veterans of each military branch to stand when their song was sung.

Frank Donohue and John Pace of the Marine Corps League Detachment presented flowers to Gold Star Mother Mary Cowan.

Don Luhrsen and Billy Dugger, American Legion Allingham-Golding Post 18 members presented the symbolism of the POW/MIA table, with Dugger picking up or pointing out the items as Luhrsen explained them.

Ogas, as guest speaker, gave some of the history of Memorial Day. "It didn't exist as a holiday until 1968, and it went into effect in 1971, to be commemorated on the last Monday of May each year."

The memorials actually began after the Civil War, when it was called Decoration Day, when people decorated graves of fallen soldiers. After World War I, the commemorations began to be regularly held in May.

He cited statistics of those from New Mexico who have served and died in wars over the years. Ogas noted that 69 soldiers who fought in the Civil War are buried at Fort Bayard. Confederate forces defeated Union forces in southern New Mexico at Val Verde. Had Union forces not prevailed at Glorieta, he said, copper, silver and the California ports would have been opened to the Confederacy. Two hundred forty-six from World War I are buried at Fort Bayard, with 40 of them from Grant County. One of the soldiers for whom the American Legion Post is named in Silver City were among the 26,000 Americans lost in the Battle of Argonne. Allingham is buried in Arlington and Golding died on his ship in 1918.

"New Mexico had the highest rate per capita of those lost in World War II—2,349," Ogas said. "More than 500 are buried at Fort Bayard, with 107 being from Grant County."

The 200th Coast Artillery and the 515th Coast Artillery regiments became part of the Bataan Death March in 1945. One thousand eight hundred and sixteen New Mexicans were part of the march. About 10,000 men died—1,000 Americans and 9,000 Filipinos. Of the Americans, 829 were from New Mexico, and lost their lives in battle, in prisons or after liberation.

One hundred seven were in F troop from Grant County. Of these 57 were killed and 50 came home after many months of captivity. "They were called the Battlin' Bastards of Bataan."

Ogas recognized Donnie Turner, who lost his uncle, Maj. John Turner, in the Bataan. His uncle Goforth came home.

Turner and Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch are promoting a fundraising effort to rebuild the Bataan Memorial at Bataan Park on the road to Fort Bayard.

During the Korean War, which was called a police action, Grant County's National Guard unit of 98 men was activated. Eleven died in Korea.

There are still 7,000 Americans missing in action in Korea and 3,700 listed as MIA in Vietnam.

Of the 401 New Mexicans who died in Vietnam, 10 were from Grant County.

Ogas said of the 243 years of existence of the United States of America, only 23 years have seen peace.

Veterans from New Mexico who have served included the Navajo Code Talkers, who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

"My personal opinion is that everyone should share in going to war, not just volunteers, as it is today," Ogas said. "Now, the volunteers must go to combat more than once. If they aren't killed the first time, they are sent for a second and even third time to combat. I think we should have a draft."

Ogas grew up in Silver City and graduated from Silver High School, received a teaching degree at Western New Mexico University and went to California to teach. "I was drafted and came back to California at the age of 24 during Vietnam. At the school where I taught, 28 students died in Vietnam, 11 were my students. Every Memorial Day, I think of those 11 kids. If you ever attend the funeral of a young person, you won't want to again. I attended seven of the 11, often asked by parents to attend."

He reminded people that at 3 p.m. that afternoon everyone should take a minute of silence to thanks those who are no longer with us for their service.

Benny Jaramillo read the 82 names of veterans buried at Fort Bayard National Cemetery who have died since the 2018 Memorial Day commemoration.

Hi Lo Silvers sang "God Bless America."

Danny Castillo, USMC veteran gave the benediction. American Legion Post 18 member Jim Dines played "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipes, and members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 fired a volley. To conclude the ceremony, Jesus Badillo played "Taps," which was echoed by Don Spann,

{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}

Memorial Day 2019

Content on the Beat

Submitting to the Beat

Editor's Notes