New Flag Raised at Spruced-up Santa Clara Cemetery

Photos and Article by Shirin McArthur

A brand new stars and stripes, donated by the local American Legion Post, was raised at the Santa Clara Cemetery on Monday morning.

The ceremony began with the raising of the new flag, followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Lorraine Anglin. Santa Clara's Mayor, Richard Bauch, was in attendance, along with local residents and a number of American Legion Post members and their wives.

Post member and Veteran James Knight, Jr. learned that the cemetery needed a new flag from Santa Clara Cemetery Committee member Elizabeth Esparza. She and her husband, Richard Esparza, have been working to clean up the cemetery over the past 11 years, since the death of their son, Richard Paul Esparza. Their son is buried in the Santa Clara Cemetery.

In addition to removing weeds, cemetery committee members have planted trees and rose bushes and installed crosses for many of the graves which have no markers. The trees and bushes, as well as some cleanup costs, have been paid for by a New Mexico Clean and Beautiful grant of $1600.

The crosses are created by Mayor Bauch in his welding studio, then painted by Elizabeth Esparza and installed by Richard Esparza. Mr. Esparza explained that the crosses are installed in concrete because of the amount of vandalism that takes place in the cemetery.

The cemetery committee also has an adopt-a-section program, where interested residents or businesses can adopt a portion of the cemetery and maintain it. For further information on adopting a section, or to join a cleanup crew, please contact Richard Esparza at 575-537-. You can also express your interest on the Santa Clara Action Committee's Facebook page and someone will get in touch with you.