(ALBUQUERQUE, NM)—The New Mexico State Fairgrounds was filled with active-duty personnel, military veterans and their families on Military and Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the New Mexico State Fair on September 22nd.

All military veterans who showed their VA Medical Center ID card, a copy of their DD-214, or other official proof showing veteran or retiree status--and all active-duty military personnel either in uniform or showing their DoD/military ID cards—were given free admission for the day at the State Fair. It was also “3-Dollar Admission/1-Dollar Concessions Day” for the general public—all of which resulted in one of the heaviest turnouts of the state fair, which began on September 9th and runs until September 25th.

The theme at this year’s annual salute to the men and women who’ve served in the U.S. Military--presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the New Mexico State Fair--was Ten Years Later: Honoring the Victims and Heroes of 9/11. A flyover by an AC-130 Gunship from Cannon Air Force Base kicked off an 1130am ceremony at which New Mexico National Guard  Brigadier General Paul Peña and NMDVS Secretary Timothy Hale paid tribute to our nation’s veterans—in particular those who’ve served since the 9/11 Terror Attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 9, 2001.

“On that date, more than 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives at the hands of Terrorists intent on damaging our country. But they failed, because America came together stronger in the aftermath,” said Secretary Hale. “Since then, more than a million men and women enlisted in the military to defend us from further attacks—a call to arms which continues stronger than ever today, ten years later.”

The ceremony concluded with the reading by Albuquerque Chapter members of the Gold Star Mothers of America of the names of all 75 New Mexicans killed in combat action since those 9/11 Attacks.

Throughout the day, all visitors to the state fair were able to view—and in many cases, touch and interact with--dozens of displays and booths lining “Main Street” from the military and veterans’ service organizations.

All active-duty military personnel showing their DoD ID card or in uniform, and all veterans showing their VA ID Card or other proof of veteran status were admitted free on Military & Veterans’ Day at the New Mexico State Fair on September 22nd.

State Fair-goers were treated to a flyover by an AC-130 Gunship from Cannon Air Force Base at the beginning of a ceremony honoring the victims of the 9/11 Terror Attacks and all veterans serving since.

State Fair-goers were treated to a flyover by an AC-130 Gunship from Cannon Air Force Base at the beginning of a ceremony honoring the victims of the 9/11 Terror Attacks and all veterans serving since.

Throughout the day, the public was invited to visit—and in may cases, get “hands-on experience”--at more than two dozen military exhibits on the fairgrounds.