A circle of remembrance

RIO RANCHO — In the presence of two Gold Star mothers, several hundred veterans buried at Vista Verde Memorial during the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13.

"I think the veterans in heaven are smiling down on you," Jim Guth, faithful navigator for the Knights of Columbus Assembly 3309, told the dozens of volunteers.

"It is my great honor to represent over 10,700 Knights," said the Knights of Columbus State Deputy  Anthony Salazar, saying they were there to honor those who served, show respect to veterans and as a "reminder of the freedoms we celebrate."

He also said it takes "unmeasured courage and dedication to serve our country."

Retired Army Col. John Alvarado, who is also a member of the Catholic War veterans, noted the sacrifice veterans carry with them.

"Even if they didn't die in battle, they suffered," he said, noting his own father's battle with PTSD after serving in combat. "There's a lot of soldiers out there. We want to represent them and pray for them.

Various organizations offered their services on the sunny morning. the Women Veteran Warriors presented the colors and the folding of the American flag, and the American Legion Post 13 Honor Guard provided a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps." Additionally, members of the Scouts and America and Cleveland High School JROTC were on hand as escorts for those placing the special wreaths for each branch of the military, prisoners of war and the Gold Star wreath, placed by Gold Star mothers Joann Ziembec and Althea Mulder.

"They paid the ultimate sacrifice," Alvarado said. "Their sons ... gave it all."

Before volunteers were invited to place wreaths throughout the cemetery, a member of the CHS JROTC offered a demonstration on how to properly place a wreath a the graves of the veterans, including repeating the deceased's name and a salute.

Alvarado stressed the importance of making sure the names were repeated. "There's nothing worse than dying and you'r name never being said," he said.

He said 2,009 veterans are buried at Vista Verde, and through donations collected by the Knights of Columbus, Catholic War Veterans and other donors, the day's ceremony had 321 wreaths for placement. Small American flags were also available to decorate graves additional veterans' graves if the volunteers felt that was more suitable.

As the volunteers spread throughout the cemetery, names of the deceased were ringing through the air, and as the wreaths ran out, a handful of volunteers remained, continuing to call out the names of the fallen.