Remembering our fallen: American Legion Bataan Post 4 carries on a tradition

DEMING – American Legion Bataan Post 4 and its Auxiliary Unit 0004 make sure the community of Deming and Luna County remember the fallen during our country’s conflicts. Monday’s Memorial Day event drew hundreds of veterans and their families for a solemn ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery.

On the Saturday leading up to the ceremony, Legion members and volunteers planted American Flags at grave sites of veterans. More 900 tombstones were decorated with flags.

Bataan Post Commander Thom Barry (USMC) welcomed the audience at the Veteran’s Memorial Flagpole and thanked special guests for their attendance and support.

Barry handed the mic to Post Chaplain Andrew Chandler (USAF) for the day’s invocation.

Barry led the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced the Matt Seltzer Family who sang a four-part rendition of the National Anthem.

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 4 performed POW/MIA Chair Ceremony and the Legion Riders (Chapter 12) honored the Gold Star Mothers.

Blue Star Mother Laura Sanchez was unable to attend and her husband, Paul Sanchez, stepped up to place a wreath at the base of the flagpole.

Deming Mayor read a proclamation recognizing May 30, 2022 as American Legion Bataan Post 4 Memorial Day. It was noted in the Deming Headlight archives that the mayor’s father and six of his brothers fought in World War II and all seven made it safely home. They were known through the Headlight annals as “The Lucky Seven.”

Cmdr. Barry introduced Jenifer Jones, guest speaker for the event. Jones is a career Registered Nurse and Republican candidate for State Representative in District 32. District 32 covers Hidalgo, Luna and Grant counties.

Jones said she was proud to have been chosen to speak in front of so many veterans and was proud of her small-town traditions during Memorial Day.

The cookouts, patriotic parades and ceremonies are all small-town traditions. “We love our parades with tractors and floats, horses and our DHS Marching Band,” Jones told the audience. “We light up the night sky with elaborate fireworks displays. With hand over heart, we proudly pledge allegiance to our stars and stripes, the symbol of this great country and liberty for which is stands.”

Jones added that the placement of flowers and flags in the cemetery are part of that small-town tradition. “Surrounded by those who passed before us, to thank God for our veterans who gave up their lives in service for our country and its citizens,” Jones said.

“We in rural America small towns like Deming and in Luna County as well, have contributed many of our best and brightest to protect the rights afforded to us in our Constitution.”

From Buffalo soldiers and Camp Cody to Bataan, Iraq and Afghanistan, Jones noted that the seeds were sown for responsibility and duty necessary for the propagation of a free country.

As a child, Jones recalled the telling of a family member who was among the fallen during World War II. A great uncle who grew up on a farm not far from Deming. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy prior to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.

Serving on a ship in the Pacific and was fatally wounded during a fierce battle near Okinawa. “He died on May 19, 1945 – only four months before the war ended,” Jones said. Posthumously, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service during battle.

These are the stories that must be retold for generations to help us understand that our freedoms are protected by the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces.

“Some of you family members here today have had the dreaded experience of a chaplain or military officer arriving at your door to deliver devastating news,” Jones told the veterans and their families. “We recognize your grief and your loss. And as we honor your loved one, we also acknowledge the broken hearts they left behind. We hold their memories dear. And in those memories, we recall the sacrifices they - and you as their families - made for us.

“We must continue to remember and retell their stories.”

The ceremony concluded with the playing of the service songs, a reading of Deming and Luna County veterans who have passed this year and the Seltzer Family performing “God Bless America and “Taps.”

Cmdr. Barry thanked everyone for their attendance and invited veterans and their families to the Bataan Post Home for a free lunch.

Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-494-5059 or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Remembering our fallen: Legion Bataan Post 4 carries on a tradition