For Gallup, New Mexico, the Most Patriotic Small Town in America, every day is a day to celebrate our veterans. Nov. 11 of each year is the particular day set aside to honor America’s fighting heroes.
Ceremonies in Gallup on Nov.11 will have some extra patriotism with the appearance of Mr. John Encinio singing our National Anthem during services at our Veteran’s Cemetery, ceremonies at our Court House square, and also a patriotic mini-concert at the Nov. 10 evening Candlelight Vigil at the Gallup Veterans Helping Veterans Post.
John Encinio is a Country and Western star and entertainer on the fabulous Las Vegas Strip. Mr. Encinio was born in Albuquerque, spent his younger years in Grants, where his father, Fidel Encinio, owns a successful bowling establishment, but for the most part, he was raised right here in Gallup, and calls himself a son of Gallup. As a Veteran of the Vietnam War Theater (73-74), Encinio certainly feels the patriotism and respect for his country.
After his tour in Vietnam, Encinio quietly returned to Gallup where he entered the banking world at Merchants bank in 1976. He later received his business degree at University of New Mexico–Robert O. Anderson School of Management. John worked in the financial industry for many years, but always felt his voice and his guitar were his passion. He would remove his bank manager’s suit on the weekends, put on his cowboy hat and boots, and head off to play and sing at a night club, a rodeo, parties, weddings…just any event that needed a great country and western singer.
In 1993, Encinio left behind New Mexico for the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he made his mark as a popular entertainer as John Encinio and The Full House Band. He has performed at one of the greatest cowboy venues in the world: The National Rodeo Finals, which is held in Las Vegas each December. Encinio and his band have executed their special sound on many of the great stages of Vegas, plus many PRCA rodeos around the country.
Gallup is very proud to have this man return to us to help us celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day with his beautiful voice and his rendition of many patriotic songs. When asked, “Which is your favorite song?” John replied, “I must have learned a thousand or more songs in my life. But, the one I treasure most is our National Anthem because it brings to my mind the number of young men and women who have been drafted or enlisted in the military service of the United States of America.”
Ceremonies for candle-light vigil and Veterans Day:
A Candlelight Vigil will be held on Nov. 10 starting at 6 pm at the Veterans Helping Veterans Post, located at 204 W. Maloney Ave., Gallup, New Mexico. Encinio will sing the beloved National Anthem, plus he will perform a mini-concert of Patriotic songs.
Veterans Day Ceremonies will be held in Gallup Nov. 11, starting at 10 am at the Hillcrest Cemetery with Encinio again singing our National Anthem. There will also be the laying of wreaths, a 21-gun salute, and a short program.
To continue the recognition ceremonies, a parade will then proceed east on Aztec Avenue from the Gurley Motor Body Shop to the Court House Square and Veteran’s Memorial.
Ceremonies will start at the end of the parade, approximately 11:30 am. John Encinio will again sing our National Anthem; plus we will hear words of respect from Gallup Public Officials and a reading of the names of our fallen soldiers.
Please join us for each event in respect of our military veterans.
By Sandra McKinney
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