Letters of the Editor

Belen Veterans Memorial is a place for everyone

Editor:

The Belen Veterans Memorial is a welcome and peaceful place for ceremonies and memorials. It and the visitor’s center at Eagle Park behind Belen High School is being used for holiday events, ceremonies and, yes, even funeral (memorial) services.

With the American flag, the New Mexico flag and Belen flag as well as the flags of the various branches of military flying, and it can even be used for celebrations such as wedding ceremonies.

The Spc. Henry Byrd III Visitor’s Center is located nearby with restrooms and heat and air conditioning, and houses pictures of many living and deceased veterans from World War I, World War II, Vietnam and many other conflicts between and since. The pictures show veterans of local New Mexicans and ones from other states.

If you know of a veteran who served honorably or is serving and can obtain a picture of them (preferably in uniform), you can take it to the visitor’s center between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Wednesday. It will be framed and hung with the other veterans’ pictures.

The visitor’s center is always open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday, and can be opened for other times and dates by appointment. Call Frank Ortega at 505-236-3618 to schedule a time.

One year ago, a memorial service was held at the Belen Veterans Memorial as requested by the family to honor the life of a Sunrise Bluff’s resident and Air Force veteran, with numerous Belen residents attending.

With the flags flying, the individual was honored with obituary highlights, prayers, scripture, music and a properly-folded flag for the family. The local Belen (Chavez-Curran) VFW Post 2387 members and the Secundino Baldonado American Legion Post 81 can be contacted to honor a veteran at a memorial service there, too.

A brick to honor a loved one, either living or deceased, can be purchased at the Spc. Henry Byrd III Visitor’s Center. Forms requiring name, branch, rank and dates of service can be obtained at Belen City Hall, or at the visitor’s center or at an arranged time.

Bettie Moore

Blue Star Mothers of  Valencia County

Belen Veterans Memorial Committee

 

Receiving an education

Editor:

Now that our children are back in school, I hope they are working hard and making sure they make the most of what they are being offered.

During the pandemic, they were forced to stay at home, away from friends and their teachers, and learn remotely. For some, I’m sure, it’s OK, but for most, I assume, that it was very hard.

I couldn’t imagine the struggles our students had to go through while learning and studying from home. That’s not what school is about.

As for our teachers, they deserve so much credit for working and teaching from home to students who might not be giving their best.

I hope the best for our students, for our teacher and for our schools. I hope this year they will be able to remain in school and realize how fortunate they are to be receiving an education.

Charles Garcia

Los Lunas