There will be a celebration of Armed Forces Day Sunday May 21 at Bataan Memorial Park near Ft. Bayard. The event will acknowledge Active-Duty military, Veteran, Gold Star families and the many Veterans Service Organizations in Grant County. The ceremonies start at 1 PM and will include short talks from the Ft. Bayard Historic Preservation Society, a talk on the Bataan Memorial Park and on the Ft. Bayard National Cemetery. At 2 PM the 1st Armored Division Band will perform a concert entitled “As Time Goes By” telling the story of the 1st Armored Division and to commemorate the Band’s 50th anniversary. The Band is one of the premier military bands in the nation well worth seeing.
Armed Forces Day was created in August 1949 by Defense Sec. Louis Johnson to celebrate the unification of the Armed Forces under the Defense Dept and to replace the separate Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force days. It was established as a national holiday in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy.
There are 10 active veterans service and support organizations in Grant County. American Legion Allingham-Golding Post 18 was founded in 1919 by returning WWI veterans. This Post is very active with a strong core of volunteers. Due to the work they do to support veterans they were voted the best volunteer organization in Grant County in 2022. They are supported by the American Legion Post 18 Women's Auxiliary, whose mission is to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. There is also a chapter of the American Legion Riders, Chapter 13 and a very active chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
In addition to the American Legion organizations there is the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328, Disabled American Veterans Ft. Bayard Chapter 1, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12212 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358. Some members of each of these organizations help maintain and advocate for the Bataan Memorial Park and Forgotten Veterans Memorial.
David Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American revolution is the oldest military support organization in the county receiving their charter in 1903. DAR members participate in an array of projects to help preserve our cultural heritage, including restoring and maintaining historical sites.
Each of these organizations welcomes new members to help them carry out their activities. To find out more about them and how to get involved come to the event and speak with various members.
The 1st Armored Division Band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. "Old Ironsides" traces its heritage from 1943, when it was activated in the early days of World War II. In the beginning the band were used as infantry units mainly guarding supplies or headquarters installations. Throughout the decades they have been deactivated and reactivated several times, being deployed to various regions around the world. At each deployment they provided support and performed for troops and dignitaries always embodying their motto “Performance With Pride”. For a more detailed history of the band go to https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/units-tenants/1st-armored-division
This event is being organized by GCCCA, WNMU, American Legion Post 18, 1st Armored Division Band, FBHPS, DAR Jacob Bennett Chapter, Friends of Bataan Memorial Park, Town of Silver City, and Grant County. Also, this project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, through an Arts in the Military grant.
There will be a limited number of chairs so it is recommended you bring your own so you can comfortably enjoy the ceremonies and concert.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information go to gcconcerts.org or call 575-538-5862.