Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Videos by Al Gamboa

On May 27, 2924, a bright sunny Monday, veterans, family members, and supporters of veterans gathered to take part in the annual Fort Bayard National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremonies to honor those who died in service to country.

The Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 hosted the event, but veterans from the Grant County Veterans Coalition, which includes all local veteran organizations, participated in the ceremonies.

Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean Bearup, Ret., served as master of ceremonies.

He noted that when he moved to the area in 1994, the cemetery was not in very good shape. "I give kudos to all the managers since then, especially our current Fort Bayard National Cemetery Manager Phillip Torres for making the cemetery look great. And with the work that Phillip has in the planning stages, it will look even better."

Bearup said that Torres has an old drawing of the fort, and in the drawing an area is set aside as a cemetery. "The first veteran was interred here in 1866, Sgt. David H. Boyd was buried here on Oct. 10, 1866. Since then the number has grown to 6,017, including dependents. Since last year on Memorial Day, 152 more have been buried here, with four more since last Thursday."

Torres presented the welcome address. "I give thanks to everyone for coming here today to honor and remember our fallen heroes. This cemetery will look even better a year from now, but now is not the time to talk about that. Let's make today all about our veterans."

Melanie Goodman, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan's field representative in Las Cruces. presented Lujan's remarks. "On this Memorial Day, our nation honors and reflects on the courage and selflessness of the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation."
 
"Their sacrifice is a debt we can never fully repay, but it is one we must always honor," she read. "New Mexico has a proud legacy of military service, contributing to the strength and security of our country.
 
"From the soldiers in the Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1882, to Navajo Code Talkers and defenders of Bataan in World War II, to veterans of Vietnam and Korea, to thousands of New Mexicans who volunteered after 9/11. America is a stronger nation thanks to the sacrifices of these New Mexican patriots.
 
"For that, we owe them and their families an immense debt of gratitude. I join everyone today in saying 'Thank you' to those who put their lives on the line in service to this country."

The comments concluded with: "Our nation must uphold our obligation to take care of those who have bravely taken care of us."
 
"Let us honor the strength and the resolve of these brave Americans, and let us be worthy of the sacrifice they made."

Next came the Call to Colors, played by Brian Gorog. The Color Guard made up of members of the Grant County Veterans Coalition posted flags, with the American Flag leading the way, and others representing all the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and a P.O.W.-M.I.A. flag.

Lorraine Anglin sang the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by American Legion Rider Roger Wright and the invocation by Marine Corps League Chaplain Robert Lopez.

Denise Baker, National Cemetery Administration New Mexico deputy administrator, gave the next presentation. "I am privileged to be here to honor those who defended our freedom. We support all Gold Star families, as well as the brave men and women who have worn the uniform in fighting for our freedoms."

She noted that June 6, would be the 80th anniversary of the landing of Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy, France. "D-Day is most noteworthy as a great day of sacrifice. 4,400, including many Americans died on the beaches more than 80 years ago. Sixteen million American troops fought in World War II, and 291,000 died as a result. 133,000 are buried in foreign cemeteries, and 37,000 in the 155 national cemeteries in the United States."

Baker said that 70 percent of those who work in the National Cemetery Administration are veterans themselves. "We thank Phillip and his colleagues who take care of this cemetery."

Robert and Danna Lopez presented the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony.

The Hi Lo Silvers, directed by Valdeen Wooton, performed the Armed Forces Salute. "This is the first time we have sung the Space Force hymn, Siempre Supra," Wooton said. She invited veterans to stand when their service hymn was sung.

Bearup recognized Mary Cowan as a Gold Star mother.

Following the presentation of wreaths, Bearup noted that on April 26, 2024, a special reinterment took place at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, when a soldier from Fort Bayard, who served in World War II, came home to be buried. PFC Richard G. Pitsor, 18, died as a prisoner of war after the Bataan Death March and had been buried in a common grave in the Philippines before his remains were identified in 2023.

He then introduced the keynote speaker for the day, Mindy R. Simonson, an archaeologist with the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Simonson said: "At DPAA, we are committed to this noble cause. Every day, our dedicated team labors tirelessly to recover and identify the remains of missing service members from past conflicts. It is a daunting task, but one that we undertake with unwavering resolve. Because many graves across the world are unknown, it is our obligation to recover the remains of our soldiers for their families."

She noted that about 81,000 World War II remain unaccounted for to the present day. "Roughly 38,000 are recoverable. It is a lengthy process, but proves the value of our mission. In fiscal year 2023, 158 Department of Defense personnel were accounted for, offering families closure."

Simonson said on the same day that PFC Pitsor was reinterred at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, another New Mexican lost in World War II in November 1944, US Army Pvt. Homer J. Mitchell, was reinterred in Portales. Mitchell had been buried at a U.S. Military cemetery in St. James, France. His remains were identified on July 24, 2023.

She said that Pitsor was among thousands of American and Filipino troops who lost their lives as a part of the Bataan Death March. "I think by next Memorial Day, we will have confirmed the identification of more veterans. Let us rededicate ourselves to the mission of remembrance and reconciliation. May we never falter in our pursuit of truth, justice and remembrance."

Bearup noted how "hand-in-glove" it had been to ask Simonson to speak even before he knew that Pitsor would be reinterred locally before Memorial Day.

He introduced Arlena Conklin, representing the DAV, to read "In Flanders Fields."

Next he introduced U.S. Navy Caps. Diane LeBlanc (Ret.) as a special local guest speaker.

"We are here today for a somber occasion," LeBlanc said. "As has been stated, Memorial Day is a remembrances of our military members who made the ultimate sacrifice, whether dying in battle, while training for it, as prisoners of war, from diseases and illnesses due to exposure to things such as Agent Orange or burn pits, or from suicide due to invisible wounds. The loss and grieving are profound for family and friend, regardless of how they died in service to our country."

In reference to the story of PFC Pitsor, she invited participants to visit the Bataan Memorial Park and the forgotten Veterans Memorial on Fort Bayard Road. "At the Memorial Park, you will find photos and stories of our local patriots, included PFC Pitsor, I guarantee you will be moved."

LeBlanc also reminded everyone that "Memorial Day isn't about honoring veterans. It's about honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home, we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it."

She talked about the Oath of Enlistment for those who enlisted and the Oath of Office for officers. "It is taken in front of the American flag, and repeated every time we promote in rank."

The first part of the oaths is identical, and "the last part of the Enlistment Oath still pertains to officers. I invite all of you veterans to stand, if able, or if not, remain seated, raise your right hand and repeat after me the Oath of Enlistment."

After veterans had renewed their oath, she said: "I submit that as a veteran, our oath does not expire."

She also recognized military spouses in the audience, as well as military children. "You, too, have made sacrifices and have served alongside."

LeBlanc also spoke about patriotism. She read the meaning from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy as involving:
"Special affection for one's country; a sense of personal identification with the country; special concern for the well-being of the country; or willingness to sacrifice to promote the country's good."

Patriotism does not mean that "we believe our country is perfect or that we don't need to constantly strive for improvement." She cited Author Timothy Snyder who defines a patriot as one who "wants the nation to live up to its ideals...."

LeBlanc noted that patriotism still lives, even in "our youth."

She introduced the recent recipient of the Silver City Jacob-Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen scholarship to 18-year-old Noah Bratcher. "In his essay, he wrote: 'Many of my peers fail to show appropriate gratitude and take for granted the freedom and opportunities they enjoy. To me, this is also a form os disrespect to all those who sacrificed their lives for us to have these privileges. I make an effort to be appreciative and thankful for our veterans an soldiers, because, without them, we wouldn't have the opportunities and freedom we enjoy.'"

Leblanc spoke to American citizens aged 18 and older. "Most importantly, you must use one of your most precious rights—the right to vote. Not only is it a right, it is an obligation."

She also encouraged them to share the history "you have lived and your experiences with your children and grandchildren. Much of what they think they know is based on peer influence and because they have not lived long enough to have historical perspective." She noted that 9/11 took place almost 23 years ago. The youth of today hadn't been born yet or were to young to understand what happened.'

For the youth, she invited them to seek the truth. "Get off social media, do your research and read actual history, Study the American Revolution the Constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights."

She told them to ask their parents and grandparents and veterans about the history they have lived; understand the freedoms and opportunities they have.

"And finally, for all of us: fly the American flag outside your homes and businesses. Fly it proudly and in remembrance and gratitude for those who have died for this country and for the freedoms we continue to enjoy. And most of all, let us all unite under it as Americans."

Jim Dines played Amazing Grace on bagpipes. The Hi Lo Silvers, instead of singing their usual God Bless America, chose to sing This Land is Your Land. Wooton invited everyone to pay attention to the lyrics.

Robert Lopez gave the benediction. Brian Gorog played Taps and the Color Guard retired the Colors.
 

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