Memorial Day 2023
Dear editor, New Mexico - and the Northwest part of the state in particular - holds a long and proud military history. Gallup is known as the most patriotic small town in America, and we are blessed to be home to a large population of military veterans. But sadly, many service men and women from our community never made it home.
In World War II, New Mexico lost more military service members per capita than any other state, including a dozen Navajo Code Talkers and nearly 50 Gallup residents who were part of the infamous Bataan Death March, forced on a 65mile march without food or water. Those who survived the harrowing journey spent several subsequent years in forced labor. An eternal flame burns in their memory outside of the New Mexico State Capitol.
In the decades since, we’ve lost additional brothers, sisters, parents, friends, and neighbors, leaving empty chairs at kitchen tables and unfillable holes in our hearts and our communities. This Memorial Day, let’s make sure we remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the freedoms and liberties we enjoy on a daily basis. It is thanks to their service and bravery that we are able to enjoy this special day with our family and friends - and to live every day in a free country.
As the state Representative of House District 9, covering Gallup and much of northwest New Mexico, it is my humble duty to ensure that we celebrate this day with proper reverence, and honor those who lost their lives defending our great nation.
So as you gather for backyard barbeques or enjoy the long weekend traveling, make sure you remember the reason for the holiday. Take a moment to pay your respects and express your gratitude for those who gave their all to protect our freedom.
Representative Patty Lundstrom