Hundreds of Veterans to gather at Roundhouse
SANTA FE, N.M., January 28, 2008 – Busloads of New Mexico veterans representing thirteen veterans’ organizations will meet legislators January 29th as part of “Veterans Visiting Their Government Day” at the Capital. Hundreds of veterans and their families representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Am-Vets, Disabled American Veterans, Black Veterans Association of New Mexico, Veterans’ Council, Women Veterans of New Mexico, Buffalo Soldier Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Korean War Veterans, and VS Volunteers will board buses in Taos, Espanola and Albuquerque as the sun rises to take part in the day’s ceremonies, including meetings in support of their legislative agenda at the Round House.
“The health and welfare of the men and women who served our country is of utmost importance to every person who takes part in this event,” said Tom Daubert, Commander of the Disable American Veterans. “We are meeting with our legislators to remind them that they too have a duty to serve those who have served our state and our country by supporting important medical programs and memorials that remind New Mexico of the sacrifices made by their sons and daughters.”
Veterans Visiting Their Government Day also will be marked by a flag raising and lowering ceremony by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services at 9 am that will mark remembrance of New Mexico soldiers killed in Iraq whose names will be read by legislators. The ceremony will continue at the Walter Martinez Causeway in the Capital with a welcome by State Treasure James B. Lewis and Senator Carlos Cisneros who later will present an American flag to the family of Senator Ben Altamirano in his honor.