featuring:

• The Honorable Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico
• The Honorable John M. Garcia, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Veterans Services
• The Honorable Michael S. Sanchez, New Mexico State Senator
• Christin McKinley, Chairperson, Women Veterans of New Mexico
• Lt. Colonel Judy Griego, New Mexico Air National Guard
• Colonel Joanne McPherson, Commander, 377th Medical Group Kirkland AFB
• Colonel Margaret P. Poore, Commander, 27th Mission Support Group, Cannon AFB
• CDR Robert Dain, Commanding Officer, USS New Mexico
• Master Chief Roger Meffley, Chief of the Boat, USS New Mexico
• Emilee Sena, Crest Design Contest Winner, USS New Mexico Committee
• 44th Army Band

attending / presence requested:

• The Honorable Ben Lujan, Speaker of the House, New Mexico House of Representatives
• The Honorable Ben Altamirano, President Pro Tem, New Mexico Senate
• Leadership and All Members 48th New Mexico State Legislature
• New Mexico National Guard
• General Edward Baca, USA (Ret)
• Colonel Jay R. Vargas, USMC (Ret), Veterans Liaison, USDVA Regional Office, San Diego, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient (Vietnam)
• George Marnell, Director, New Mexico VA Health Care System
• Craig Moore, Director, Albuquerque VA Regional Office
• Joe E. Loisel, President, United Veterans' Council
• Dannie R. Roberts, State Commander, DAV
• Leon Morris, State Commander, VFW
• Elizardo “Sardo” Sanchez, State Commander, American Legion
• Kenneth M. O'Keefe, State Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Amarante Casias, State Commander, American Veterans
• Peter J. Weber, Jr., State Commander, Vietnam Veterans of America
• Robert F. Brisbin, State Commander, Veterans of the Vietnam War
• John W. Cleveland, State Commander, Marine Corps League
• Ray Hill, President, Zia Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Department of Veterans Services welcomes two new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs directors to New Mexico. Craig Moore has been appointed as the Director of the Albuquerque VA Regional Office. Prior to assuming this position he was the Assistant Director at the Little Rock VA Regional Office and has been employed by the VA for 24 years. The New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque also has a new Director. George Marnell arrived on November 1st, 2006. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Marnell was the director of the VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon. "There is no more important partner for us than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs" said John M. Garcia, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Veterans Services. "We look forward to working with Mr. Moore, Mr. Marnell and continuing to have an excellent working relationship with Wesley Jones, Director of the Santa Fe National Cemetery."

Veterans Day 2006 was marked across New Mexico with well attended parades and ceremonies. Vietnam veteran and NM Department of Veterans Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia gave the keynote speech for the unveiling of the Sandoval County Veterans Vietnam Memorial in Bernalillo. Governor Bill Richardson headlined the Santa Fe festivities and was joined by Mayor David Coss, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Drew Dix, Bataan Veteran Vincent Ojinaga and many local and state elected officials. Music was provided by the the Santa Fe Concert Band and an excellent Bag Pipe group. In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services teamed up with the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs to present a Tribute to African American Veterans featuring New Mexico's retired General Edward Baca introducing retired General Daniel James III. Click here to visit our Veterans Day 2006 Photo Gallery and VeteransDayNM.org archive.

VA Offers Drive-Thru & Walk-In Flu Clinics for Veterans

Albuquerque, N.M. – This year’s influenza vaccination is now available at all VA outpatient clinics at routine appointments or at the Walk-In Flu Clinic on the first floor of Building 41 at the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) in Albuquerque. And for the second year, the VA’s Drive-Thru Clinic is one more way of getting high-risk veterans vaccinated. The drive-thru clinic is especially helpful for veterans with limited mobility.

The walk-in clinic hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The walk-in clinic runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 22. The drive-thru flu vaccination clinic will be open Nov. 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the facility’s east parking lot near the San Pedro entrance, located at 1501 San Pedro SE in Albuquerque. Special signs will be posted and volunteers will be on hand to guide veterans into the clinic.

The drive-thru flu and walk-in clinics are for eligible, enrolled veterans. To find out if you qualify for these clinics, please call VA eligibility at (505) 265-1711 or 1-800-465-8262. For more information about the drive-thru clinic, call Janet Chambers, Patient Education Coordinator, at (505) 265-1711, extension 4656, or Carol Moore, RN, Infection Control Nurse, at 265-1711, ext. 4945.

Hobbs Veteran Service Officer Dalton Boyd reports on the Veterans Town Hall Meeting at the VFW in Hobbs on October 30, 2006:

The panel consisted of: State Senator Carroll Leavelle, State Senator Gay Kernan, Lou Helwig - Department of Veterans Services, Joe Dean - NM VA Healthcare, Joe Duran - Vet Center of Santa Fe, Iva Jo Hanslik - PIO, Big Springs, Tx. VA Hospital, Brian Moore - Big Springs, Tx. VA Hospital. Also present were representatives from Congressman Steve Pearce's office and Senator Bingaman's office. The meeting was attended by approximately 50 veteran and their families from Lea County and the Carlsbad area. The meeting began with Sen. Carroll Leavelle and Lou Helwig addressing the audience. After their address the meeting was opened up to the audience for a question and answer period. Topics included: debt management issues, transportation, mileage reimbursement rate, availability of mental health treatment, health services and other issues. The meeting was very informative and was well received by the audience.

N.M. Vets' Affairs Secretary Heads National Group
SANTA FE — New Mexico Veterans Affairs Secretary John Garcia has been elected president of a national association that represents cabinet secretaries and state directors of veterans affairs. Garcia called it an honor to serve a one-year term as president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. More info...

A Tribute to a Local Hero
by James Turner, NM Veteran Services Officer and
Dolores C. Archuleta, City Councilor, District 3

Bataan Death March survivor David Tellez died in Las Cruces on October 4th, 2006 at the age of 86. Mr. Tellez was one of six local survivors of the famed death march, forced to march as a prisoner of war by the Japanese in the Philippines during WWII. Mr. Tellez survived the march and over three years in a Japanese POW camp. The annual Bataan Memorial March held at White Sands Missile Range honor the brave soldiers who participated in the death march. Mr. Tellez was always there at one of the checkpoints, urging the marchers on and offering words of encouragement. We will also miss his presence at the annual Veteran’s Day Parade; he was always in attendance in his uniform and usually in a wheelchair. Despite his physical limitations, he somehow managed to stand, at attention, during the National Anthem. He had the inner strength gained by his POW experience. Our heartfelt sympathy to his loving wife of over sixty years Juanita, and his children Louis, Rachel, Elvira and Melissa. “Rest in peace soldier, God’s reveille has called you home after a job well done.”

Touching Beauty, a long-term exhibition of the sculpture of Michael Naranjo, continues in the Atrium Gallery here at the Bataan Memorial Building at 407 Galisteo Street in Santa Fe. The Department of Veterans Services teamed up with the Cultural Affairs office to present this extraordinary exhibit which was kicked off with a reception attended by the artist. Mr. Naranjo is a New Mexico veteran who was blinded by a grenade in Vietnam and has gone on to be a successful sculptor of realistic human figures. He is known as the "artist who sees with his hands" and makes pieces that he intends for people to touch. His works are in the permanent collections of the Vatican and White House. Touching Beauty continues through June 30, 2007. More info...

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 2006 Armed Forces and Veterans Day at the New Mexico State Fair. The parade and program at the Ford Pavilion was our best yet and we're already looking forward to 2007. Special thanks to the 44th Army Band, Tamaya Veterans Association, Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, Operation Homefront and the NMNG Family Services Program. Thanks also to Fred Peralta, Craig Vencill and everyone at Expo NM, the commanders of NM's veteran service organizations, the WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in attendance, the KAFB Color Guard, Vietnam Veterans Color Guard, United States Volunteers Color Guard, Women Veterans of New Mexico, DVS staff, and to KOAT, KOB and KASA for covering the parade and tribute.

Helmets To Hardhats has created a special homepage that tells the story of New Mexico's implementation of a direct entry program for New Mexico Veterans. The Helmets to Hardhats program was introduced to the state through the efforts of the Veterans Connection at the NM Department of Labor and is being supported by Veteran Service Officers of the Department of Veterans Services.

New license plate shows support for troops, By NATALIE STOREY
Patriot Plate fits in with state's `rich history of service' New Mexicans who want to support U.S. troops and aid the state's veterans can do so by buying a special license plate -- a Patriot Plate -- starting Monday. The Department of Veterans Services unveiled plans this week for a new New Mexico plate, which carries a design with an American flag, an eagle and the message, ``Support Our Troops.'' More info...

Thank you also: Albuquerque Journal, KOAT TV, KOB TV, KCBD TV, 770 KKOB, KVIA, Roswell Radio, KWES TV

Run For The Wall
Reunion in Angel Fire, New Mexico

September 16-17, 2006

Wednesday, 30 August 2006 was a great day for William L. Rice, a World War II veteran who waited 62 years to receive his Purple Heart. It was also a great day for the Department of Veterans Services. Last week's medal pinning ceremony was the final step in process initiated by Las Cruces Veteran Service Officer JR Turner. When Mr. Rice came to the Department of Veterans Services for assistance, Mr. Turner went to work. The process requires participation by a member of the U.S. Congress and Mr. Rice selected NM's Senior Senator. Mr. Turner represented the Department of Veterans Services at the medal pinning ceremony and arranged for a NMNG Color Guard.

"I was really glad that I got to help this veteran."
Las Cruces VSO JR Turner

"New Mexico is truly the best place for veterans."
William L. Rice

Click here for the best account of Mr. Rice's WWII experience (article reprinted with the permission of the Sierra County Sentinel). For coverage of the medal pinning ceremony, click here.

Ms. Christin McKinley, a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist for the New Mexico Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), has been appointed to the New Mexico Veterans’ Advisory Board by Governor Bill Richardson effective August 16, 2006. Ms. McKinley served as a Law Enforcement Officer with the U.S. Air Force and is a veteran of Desert Storm. Her experience in the service greatly contributes to her efforts in increasing awareness of issues facing women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and is an original charter member and chairperson of the Women Veterans of New Mexico organization. More info...

With the stroke of several pens, Helmets to Hardhats is officially welcomed to the Land of Enchantment. Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the building and construction industry. The State of New Mexico and local trade organizations are enthusiastically supporting Helmets to Hardhats. More info..

News Tips
Vet Reporter
P.O. Box 2324
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2324

Office # (505) 827-6300
Fax # (505) 827-6372