Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

On Veterans' Day, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, November,  Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18 hosted the honoring and recognition of veterans of all US. Armed Services branches, with music, speeches and don't forget the food, cooked and served by American Legion members and auxiliary members.

Post 18 Commander Joseph Drake, USN (Ret.), who served as master of ceremonies, welcomed the full house of people to the event.

Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358 brought in and posted the colors. The Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton, sang The Star-Spangled Banner and a veteran led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ray Bejarano of Veterans of Foreign Wars gave the invocation.

American Legion member Tim Maxon, hosted the POW-MIA table, with an explanation of each item on the table. The Hi Lo Silvers sang the Salute to the Military, a medley of every branch of the US Armed Services, including the newest Space Force. Wooton invited members of each branch to stand as their song was sung.

Drake introduced Clarissa Sierra, New Mexico Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Service Officer in Silver City, as the keynote speaker. Sierra saved as a military police officer with the New Mexico National Guard from 2012 -2018, with the 126 military police unit based in Las Cruces. A Silver City native, she also worked in the past as a victim advocate.

Sierra began with a brief history of Veterans Day. "On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, fighting in World War I ended. Due to the conclusion of the world war to end all wars, the day was a day universally recognized. It originally was declared Armistice Day eight years after the end of the war and honored only veterans of that war.  Then in 1954 after World War II and the Korean War, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all veterans who served America in war to defend democracy. So today we honor all of our veterans. They unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedom. Those men and women were ordinary people until they heard the call of duty and answered it. They left their families, their homes and their lives, not for recognition or faith or even for the honor we bestow upon them today. They fought to protect our country, to maintain our way of life."

"Let us also salute those who are currently fighting for our freedom. The War on Terrorism has helped us all realize how truly unique the American way of life is. The freedom we enjoy is extremely special, and that is why we must defend it. So now is the time not only to honor those who have fought for, and fight for freedom, it is also time for us each to take part in defending it.

" The defense of freedom is not just for those in the military. Each of us share that duty and that responsibility. We can protect our freedom simply by maintaining it here in America. If we want to preserve our freedoms, we must put them into action. We must also ensure that all Americans feel the benefit sof freedom, and we can do that by volunteering in our communities and teaching our children what it really means to be an American.

"Veterans Day is a day for all Americans to remember why those service members and veterans were fighting, and a day for all of us to begin our journey on protecting our freedom and the freedom of our future generations."

She said she served in the Army National Guard for six years, and although she was activated multiple times for emergency fires and floods around the state of New Mexico, she never deployed overseas. "But, I would have done it in a heartbeat. Now that I'm out of the service, my passion and goal is to serve those who've served. As a Veterans Service Officer I cover Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties, as well as part of Catron County. I assist veterans of all branches, whether they are active duty or National Guard reservists, with filing for and possibly obtaining their state and federal benefits that they are entitled to qualify for. As well, I do my best to help every veteran that requires my services, which, by the way, are all free of charge."

"I want to end this by saying thank you for honoring our veterans today," she concluded. "Let us walk towards tomorrow. We're still honoring them by living in the freedom that they protected. Thank you."

Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution representative Diane LeBlanc said: "On behalf of the DAR, we want to thank each and every one of you for your service. And even though our lineage goes back to the American Revolutionary War, we honor veterans from all of the wars, and we honor veterans that served during peace time and did really significant jobs in addition to going to war. So thank you all. We are very honored by the process."

She gave a brief overview of the DAR Project 250, which will lead up to the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. She thanked the Legion for a donation toward the event, and noted that details were being worked out and would be announced as they became better clarified. She also thanked the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 for a great party the evening before for the Corps' 249th birthday celebration.

Melanie Goodman, representing Congressional Rep. Ben Ray Lujan's office, said she always enjoys coming to Silver City. "We're here to support you. I thank Commander Drake for letting the American Legion host this event. On days like this, I think of my two grandfathers, who fought in World War II and were great role models for me."

She read from the statement from the Congressman. "Today is a special day. We have the privilege to come together to celebrate New Mexico's proud history of service, and those veterans here today, I must extend my deepest thanks to each and every one of you, with your unwavering courage and dedication to protecting our nation and the bravery and courage of our service members that their families help shape The world we live in today, from the Navajo Code Talkers and survivors of the Bataan Death March who served in World War Two to all the individuals who have served overseas, your commitment to our nation is invaluable. You served and sacrificed, as did your family in turn. It is our responsibility as a nation, to make sure every veteran and their family have the resources and support they need when they return to civilian life. This means improving access to health care for both physical and mental health, expanding job training and ensuring that every veteran has the resources necessary to them. I am honored to have worked with our veterans here in New Mexico. There is still work to be done. I am grateful every single day for the men and women who serve and for the heroes who may be open to sacrifice. God bless you all, and may God protect You."

Before the Hi Lo Silvers sang "God Bless America," Wooton said the chorus would sing the first time, and then participants were invited to join in the second time. The audience joined in with gusto for the second time.

Tim Zamora, retired Army Lt. Col., gave the benediction.

After the celebration, Carl Eliaison, Legion member, drew the raffle winning ticket.

Participants then enjoyed the food provided by the Legion.

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