The Memorial Day crowd at the Court House plaza started filling the chairs about 9 am last Monday, an hour or so before the ceremonies at Hill Crest Cemetery came to a close: a Catholic Mass on the east side and a wreath-laying in the small, fenced Veteran’s section at the top of the hill to the west. The parade began about 11 am, drawing more spectators to the sidewalks to watch veterans, Boy Scouts, CAP Cadets, Parade honorees, and City officials march or ride by during the eight-block route down Aztec Avenue.

The day was warm with plenty of sunshine, but the heat did not keep the local citizens away from this summer-starting event. The attendance may have been...

Corporal Van Etsitty had a dangerous job for the short time he spent in the Army. Drafted in 1967, he had less than a year’s training in infantry tactics before being sent to Vietnam, where he was assigned to a Recondo Team under the leadership of Staff Sergeant Ed Ryan, the squad leader.

After four-five months of being inserted by helicopter into jungle areas for reconnaissance and to actively disrupt the enemy, the team landed in the middle of an NVA encampment. Enemy fire raked the helicopter before it could set down, and one of the first bullets claimed Etsitty, the radio operator.

Ryan, now a Doctor of Forensic Psychology, praised Etsitty for his toughness and ability to...

Folks around greater McKinley County observed Memorial Day in a variety of ways. For some May 29 was a day for reunions, including a family gathered at Ford Canyon Park in Gallup.

A lot more families, friends and couples made their way downtown to get a glimpse of the 11th annual Memorial Day Celebration put on by the Gallup-McKinley County Veterans Committee. The event is a Gallup mainstay that draws locals and tourists alike.

“I thought it was a very wonderful day,” Gallup City Councilor Fran Palochak said. Palochak, a Gallup native and a U.S. Navy veteran, served as the grand marshal in the parade. “It was an honor to participate in the festivities, and I was honored to...

Students highlight future plans

It was once again another momentous year for high school graduation ceremonies here in the Gallup area.

This time, the Miyamura Patriots Class of 2017, joined in those ranks at their graduation ceremony in the Angelo DiPaolo Memorial Stadium May 19. Although it was a chilly night, this didn’t daunt the 203 graduating seniors of Hiroshi Miyamura High School as they received their long-awaited diploma to the bursts of cheers from family and friends.

Definitely a different mood was felt, a little more reserved yet an exciting overall feeling for everyone. A car parked with words scribbled on the windows that read, “Just graduated,” reflected...