Veterans Day Ceremony at Fort Bayard National Cemetery 111118

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Ray Davis of Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18 served as master of ceremonies for the 2018 Veterans Day ceremony held at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

He thanked the village of Santa Clara for putting flags out along the roads to the cemetery. "We also had helpers to put flags on all World War I veterans' graves.

The colors were posted by two members of the Legion honor guard, as Don Spann of the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 played the Call to Colors. Lorraine Anglin led "The Star-Spangled Banner." Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance and Don Luhrsen of the Legion Post 18 gave the invocation, and John Sterle explained the empty P.O.W. and M.I.A table's significance.

Frank Donohue of the Marine Corps League recognized Gold Star Mother Mary Cowan and gave her a yellow rose.

Melanie Goodman of Sen. Tom Udall's office read letters from Udall and Sen. Martin Heinrich. They noted that 100 years ago on Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 a.m., an armistice was signed ending World War I.

Davis noted that "we are here to honor those who rest here, those who are here present and those who are serving our country."

The Hi Lo Silvers, with Valdeen Wooton directing, sang all four verses of "America, the Beautiful."

Jared Howard, director of the Santa Fe and Fort Bayard national cemeteries gave an update on the construction at Fort Bayard. "We took a try at grass among the graves. We will try again in the spring. We plan to pave the roads and keep this rostrum up for ceremonies." He said that 7 percent of the population of New Mexico is veterans, one of the states in the top 10 in the country. "New Mexico has 33 counties, with some having an average up to 10 percent veterans. Grant County is over 13 percent veterans."

He also recognized the 100th anniversary of World War I armistice. "In that war, called the Great War and the war to end all wars, about 25 percent of able men in the country served in some capacity. It represents one of the most selfless of service in wartime. In World War II, women began to serve."

Howard said his first job in a national cemetery was as a laborer, setting headstones. He said he was struck by the headstones from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, with many headstones indicating the veteran buried there had served in all three wars.

"We are still in two conflicts," Howard said. "We have to raise our potential veterans. Having ceremonies such as this, we have to introduce our youth to these events as their history. We must insist that schools keep their Veterans Day programs as part of their curriculum. Today we honor this rich history. God Bless America."

Col. Susan Beck, who served 24 years in active duty, was the featured speaker. "This is my first time speaking at a Veterans Day event. I'm happy to do so. I was also happy to know that my uniform still fit," she smiled.

"Thank you to all veterans for their sacrifices," Beck said. "You are in the midst today of patriots. They put service before self. That defines every person who has worn the uniform. Thank you for your commitment to the call to duty."

She also thanked the families of veterans who "kept the home fires burning and supporting your loved ones."

"The veterans we honor today come from all walks of life, but they share several fundamental qualities," Beck continued. "They possess courage, integrity, determination, selflessness and dedication to duty—all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than one's self."

She said many did not volunteer. They didn't go to war because they loved fighting. "These are ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways during extreme times. They rose to the nation's call to fight for and protect a nation that has given us all so much."

Since the first shots of the Revolutionary War, "American men and woman have been answering the call of duty."

Beck also referenced the day as marking the passing of 100 years since the end of World War I, the war to end all wars. "On this day in 1918, on the '11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,' in a forest near the French city of Compiègne, French, British and German leaders met and signed an armistice that officially ended the horrific conflict which claimed the lives of more than 16 million people over four years."

Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, was designated to celebrate the end of World War I. As time went on and the country engaged in further conflicts during World War II and Korea, veterans' group lobbied for a change in legislation to honor all veterans from every war and conflict in which the United States had been engaged.

"Today, those who serve continue to make the ultimate sacrifice, and when this happens, more Americans step forward saying: 'I'm ready to serve,'" she said. "They follow in the footsteps of generations of fine Americans since the beginning of our country. The men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces are simply a special breed of people."

A veteran's service has no expiration date, she said, because the call to serve does not end with the end of an enlistment or commission. They often continue to serve and volunteer countless hours supporting their fellow veterans and the people in their communities.

Beck asked those present to vocalize their gratitude to veterans and to illustrate their thanks with actions, especially helping those veterans who live with struggles day in and day out. "I ask you to keep those men and women in your hearts today and to remember every day the serious physical and emotional challenges veterans face when they return home from service. I encourage you to seek out your brothers and sisters in arms, get to know them and let them know you've got their six."

"Your presence today is a way to say: 'We will not forget,'" Beck said. "Today we remember and honor all veterans with our commemoration.

"God bless you and your families; God Bless our veterans and troops; and God bless the United States of America," she concluded.

Davis introduced Jude Casco of Quilts of Valor. Casco, Bonnie Davis and Alexa Davis (no relation), came forward with a quilt to present to a veteran.

Casco said quilting is a passion of hers, "but you can only give away so many." In 2003, a woman created what she called a Quilt of Valor. That first quilt evolved into an international movement with 2,000 members. "We here in Grant County have 32 members and this is our 130th quilt of valor. Internationally, the members met the 2000th quilt last week. This quilt [held up by Alexa Davis and Bonnie Davis] was made by Alexa Davis, with quilting by Judy Billings and Roxanna Marsh."

"The recipient for this quilt is Col. Susan Beck," Casco announced.

"I'm so overwhelmingly gratified to receive this quilt," a very surprised Col. Beck said. "This is awesome. This is one of the greatest gifts I've ever received," she said as they wrapped her in the quilt.

The ceremony ended with the Armed Forces Medley by the Hi Lo Silvers and Amazing Grace on the bagpipe, played by Jim Dines. The colors were retired, and a benediction given.