Ceremonies pay respect to fallen

With audiences sitting in silent respect and American flags blowing in the eastern New Mexico wind, the area marked Memorial Day as high-ranking veterans paid respects to those who served honorable military careers cut short.

Audiences gathered at Portales Cemetery and Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens, honoring in some degree those who gave some, but primarily praising the some that gave all.

"Those soldiers lay in peace with our nation's flag," said retired Air Force Col. Michael Wooley at the Portales ceremony. "The (newspaper) called me up and asked me why I was speaking for Portales and let me tell you this. 95 percent of our veterans come from small towns just like this one."

Clovis speaker David Stevens, New Mexico commander for the American Legion, told his audience of three separate military personnel the day was created to honor - one a fighter in World War I, another killed while battling ISIS and another whose aircraft crashed while she was part of a humanitarian mission.

No matter how they died, Stevens said, they deserved undying gratitude from a nation that can continue its way of life because they sacrificed their short lives.

"Can any of us say," Stevens said, "we've accomplished more in our full lifespan than they accomplished?"

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., also spoke at the Clovis ceremony and told the story of his grandfather Luis Lujan and his service in World War II. His grandfather and others left their safe foxhole to help other soldiers in need of treatment.

"It always struck me how common that story is," Lujan. "That has always been present in every generation who put on the uniform."

Woolley noted New Mexico had 1,500 soldiers in the Bataan Death March, with 58 coming from Roosevelt County, and 500 people volunteering for World War II from Portales. Simply put, Woolley said, nobody in Roosevelt County lacked either kin or immediate family in World War II, whatever the branch of service.

"I was not a veteran but I am so proud of the men that gave us our freedom," said Portales audience member Bob Sikes. "I had so many friends whose dads never came back. Those soldiers paid the debt."

The debt does not change, Stevens said, even as the battles do.

"The war on terrorism has no obvious ending," Stevens said. "The war on terrorism has no obvious victory. There will be no signed terms of surrender aboard a battleship, or in a diplomatic conference room."

Riley Purcell, 14, of Portales, said the ceremony was beautiful.

"I came here to honor my great, great grandfather who served in the Navy," Purcell said. "I remember all those who serve, those who have served, those who died and those who are still alive."