Vietnam veteran Richard Marrufo

Vietnam veteran Richard Marrufo

Throughout the day, Vietnam veteran Richard Marrufo was one of several "motivational drivers" who volunteered through the Grant County Democratic Party to go out into the community and find people who had no way to get to the county's six v

oting convenience
centers.

He left his phone number at the counter at the Javalina coffee shop on Bullard Street in downtown Silver City and spent the day ferrying anyone who needed a ride from their home or office to a voting center.

Marrufo, admittedly a straight-ticket Democrat, said it didn't matter whom the person was going to vote for, only that they got there to do so.

"I am a Vietnam vet," Marrufo said, "I put my body at risk over there for our American freedoms. So, I'm helping people so they can exercise one of the freedoms we do have."

Ghost Warrior by Robert-Sasse

Ghost-Warrior byRobert-Sasse

GHOST WARRIOR

     Combat is a soul snatcher. When the warrior leaves the field of battle, he or she often leaves behind a vital part of their essence. In peacetime, this leaves the combatant incomplete and unable to cope with daily living. The result is a steady deterioration of personality and understanding of ones role in life. For many it also leads to the deterioration of moral values and belief systems. Reintegrating that essence or ghost is the key to healing.

     Ghost Warrior is the story of one warrior’s journey from despair and hopelessness to finding a life filled with inner peace through the expression of poetry and prose. This collection of prose and poetry is an attempt at sharing a life of healing and renewal in hopes that it can help other veterans and their families heal from the unnatural experiences of war.

Veterans Day Letters

Dear Uncle Bobby,                                                                                      Nov. 4, 2009

Thank you for fighting for our country and thank you for protecting the US.  You are a brave man. I am proud to have an uncle like you.  You have helped all Americans keep their freedom.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication.  I  feel safe in the United States because you fought for our country.  I just wanted to write this letter to honor you for Veterans Day.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

Your nephew, Ismael Villegas

Ismael Villegas was 7 yrs old when he wrote this letter in 2009.  It was a school project for his second grade class in Chama, NM.  He is now 9yrs. old, in fourth grade, and lives in Pecos, NM.  He is the grandson of Bob Flores Jr. of Santa


Ismael,

Thank you for those wonderful words you wrote I cannot begin to tell you how your letter has brought so much joy and pride to my heart.  I was proud to wear the uniform while I served our country and reading your letter has made me even prouder!!!  I hope and pray that some day we will never need a military or wars to keep our freedom sacred and safe, that men and women of our country will never have to leave their families to fight in wars.

I am sending you a medal that I was given for serving in Iraq.  It represents everything you wrote to me about, our freedom, our safety and how we helped another country achieve the same.

I often wondered if anyone appreciated Veterans Day and what it represented and now I know that there are.

Thank you Ismael for taking the time and writing your thoughts.

I hope we see you soon!!!

Uncle Bobby


Uncle Bobby is a twenty year veteran of the Army, now living in Tucson AZ.  He is Bob Flores III, son of Bob Flores.

Navajo Code Talkers

the code talker story

Navajo Code Talkers were sent to Marine divisions in the Pacific theater of WWII. They quickly gained a distinguished reputation for their remarkable abilities. In the field, they were not allowed to write any part of the code down as a reference. They became living codes, and even under harried battle conditions, had to rapidly recall every word with utmost precision or risk hundreds or thousands of lives. In the battle for Iwo Jima, in the first 48 hours alone, they coded over 800 transmissions with perfect accuracy. Their heroism is widely acknowledged as the lynchpin of victory in the pivotal conflict.

Former Marine Walks Barefoot for PTSD Awareness

Video
PHOENIX - A military veteran is walking his way across America to raise awareness for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It's hard to miss Former Marine Ron Zaleski walking down a busy Phoenix sidewalk with his sign. He's on a mission.
"It's not political, it's human," he says.
He's talking about the 18 vets on average that commit suicide every day because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I decided I'm not going to be on my deathbed and say I should have done something. Today is the day."
Zaleski also isn't wearing any shoes.
"I'm not real conventional. I don't wear a three piece suit."
After his 2-year tour of duty with the Marines he decided to shun shoes and go barefoot -- he says it's more comfortable.
Zaleski started his walk in Massachusetts, back in June. So far he has walked 3,200 miles and stopped at state capitols along the way.
He's looking for support, asking for mandatory counseling for all troops leaving the service. He's talking to politicians and average citizens.
"They see the sign, they're taken back. 95 percent say that's a good idea that they get mandatory counseling."
He has a petition and hoping to get hundreds of thousands of signatures. Zaleski wants to hand deliver it to President Obama.
Zaleski still has many more states to visit. He is only half way through what he calls "The Long Walk Home."

Mom and daughter conversation while overseas tour of duty in Japan

Mother:

I just wanted to share this with you.  Please pray for all..  Our Military is made of youth - and some learn about reality in a harsh way.

Daughter:

I know I just wasn't ready for something like that, I'm kinda scared what I'm going to see and its only gonna make me all girly and sympathetic and I like being a hard ass mom...I am proud  of who I am because I know I am doing right...this only makes me more proud but I'm still scared...

Mom:       
I just thought I would let you know that the Military also provides humanitarian help where needed.  Yes my  darling daughter you are now part of the "super Heroes".  Japan needs help and you and your crew will provide what is needed if called upon.  Be Proud and don't complain.  We are fortunate to have that capability.
Love you Lots,
Love you Always,
God Bless you and Keep you Safe

It was all a DREAM

The many thanks go to the "HONORABLE" St. Rep. Manny Herrera for giving us a start through Grants for the construction of the Memorial. And later on, St. Rep. Diane Hamilton, Senator Ben Altamirano for their support with the increase funding towards our endeavor of getting our memorial up to par. The beginning was the most important, as-Raymond Holguin, Blas Sepulveda, Richard Marrufo, Amador Reyes, Paul Madrid, Lorenzo Madrid, Tommy Arvey, and myself Armando Y. Amador took the first phase of the project at heart. Joe Anadzola was instrumental in supporting me in seeking the property for the memorial of which our County Commissioners gave us the opportunity to start something that no one could imagine the outcome. It was all a DREAM.

Thank, County Commissioners: David Diaz, Greg Mesa, Karl Scholl, County Manager--Luis Cardoza.

From this point on, GOD has provided the guidance and our community has given us the approval as things have changed in having the Vietnam Veterans of Grant County blend into the mainstream of society. I will provide additional information on our Memorial in thanking everyone else that have given much of themselves in our endeavor.

Thanks--Armando Y. Amador, Project Coordinator-"FORGOTTEN VETERANS MEMORIAL" 1992---TO THE PRESENT AND BEYOND.