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Quilts of Valor Celebration

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It was a hot Friday last week, June 26, but the temperatures failed to keep close to 200 from attending an outdoor celebration at UNM-Gallup North Campus.

The event was held to commemorate the service of nine military veterans, and a civilian worker at the Gallup Community-based 0utpatient clinic. The celebration started a few minutes late, but that was not a worry for the crowd, most of whom stayed throughout the event.

Richard Wade played a few introductory tunes on his saxophone during the delay and Dawn Martinez welcomed everyone in attendance before the UNM-G Color Guard posted the colors. Anderson Lee became part of that presentation when it was announced that the maintenance worker had rescued an American flag from the alleyway, cleaned it up and attached it to a staff for use at the campus.

They previously had not had a flag there and it was only proper that this rescue of our country’s colors should be used for its rightful purpose, right where it had been found.

Although unannounced in the program, UNM-G Director Dr. Christopher Dyer sang the national anthem in his rich baritone voice, and Lita Arviso led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, in both Navajo and English.

Once the procession of veterans, escorted by the quilters, had all marched forward to claim their front row seats, Wyatt Stiger gave the invocation. This was followed by a presentation to Honor Fallen Comrades, which included those from all over the country and spanned several wars that our military has engaged in over the years. Stiger, Lee, Arviso, and Loretta Yazzie joined together in this venture.

Susan Ackerman gave a brief history of the Quilts of Valor, and the owner of Gallup Service Mart and Sewing Center, John Matajcich, let the audience know about the hours of labor that had gone into the design and manufacture of these gorgeous bed coverings. Gloria Lee assisted him in presenting each veteran with his or her own quilt.

Those presented with quilts were: Wayne Robertson, Jarvis Bahe, Tulley Brown Diane Butler, John Clegg, Dr. Lawrence Isaac, Olin Kieyoomia, Bryon McCray, and Phillip Ramirez. The civilian worker was Consuela Smith.

Following the quilt presentation, each recipient was also given a patch designed especially for inclusion with their unit badges. UNM-G North also provided a large array of salads and desserts for the guests, while hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled for them.

It was a fitting presentation, well done, and well deserved.

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