End of World War II commemorated

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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 16 August 2015 16 August 2015

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

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WWII end commemorated 081615

At Fort Bayard National Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 held a short ceremony to commemorate the end of World War II on Aug. 15, 1945, 70 years ago.

 Two members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 Color Guard—Marc MacDonald and George Morrison— posted the colors.

Christy Gonzales sang the National Anthem.

WWII veteran William "Bill" Harrison gave the opening prayer.

Detachment 1328 Commandant Ben Collins gave a short presentation.

"World War II was one of the largest wars in history,"  Collins said. "Only twice had Americans gone to war since their founding—the Civil War, which pitted Americans against Americans, and World War I, which was supposed to be the War to End Wars.

"When WW II ended, more than 16,200,000 had served," he said. "The average stay was 16 months. About 416,000 Americans were killed and 670,000 wounded, including 6,000 civilians killed. About 1,800 New Mexicans volunteered or were drafted. New Mexico had the highest volunteer rate and the highest casualty rate of the 48 states. And yes, we were only 48 states then. Grant County lost 106 killed and two remain missing.

"May 8 was the end of the war in Europe, and Aug. 15, the end of the war in the Pacific, because of something else from New Mexico—the atomic bomb," Collins continued. "Tom Brokaw called these brave warriors 'The Greatest Generation,' and we have several of them here. Do not forget those of that same generation who surround us here."

He then recognized the five World War II veterans in attendance, Leonard Pritikin, Richard Youngs, Harrison, Gene Lewis and Mario Kirker and their wives, who were present. 

Members of the Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18 also attended and participated in the ceremony. Ray Davis posted a wreath to those lost in WW II.

Don Spann of the Marine Corps League Detachment played Taps and Harrison gave the closing prayer.