Corrales places wreaths for fallen heroes

CORRALES — Fallen veterans were remembered in Corrales over the weekend.

Living veterans, family of veterans and many volunteers took part in the village's National Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 13. It was one of 5,200 locations across all 50 states participating.

San Ysidro Parish Knights of Columbus trustee and retired United States Army Capt. Raymond Gonzales raised funds to place wreaths on more than 70 gravesites at the San Ysidro cemetery and acted as master of ceremonies. Gonzales shared that he was present for the invasion of Panama in 1989 and in Saudi Arabia during operation Desert Storm.

After an invocation, Mayor Jim Fahey said a few words.

"I came here last year. I thought this was such a solemn, wonderful occasion that you guys have put together. I really appreciate it. I made a suggestion at that time that we should start doing this every year because I think it is important for us to remember those who have served, honor those who have dealt with sacrifice," he said.

He also said that it's an opportunity to teach young people what is going on in the world and why.

"It's important that we we do this, all of us. We don't want to go through what we went through, you know, 80 years ago (World War II). I mean, that just was awful. But it looks like, right now, the situation exists in our country. We're drifting. We need to get back on course.  Educating our young people will help. Doing things like this will help a great deal to bring that honor back to our military and our veterans," Fahey added.

Dave Stevens, the commander of American Legion Post 69  who got into a friendly argument over Navy versus Army because the annual Army-Navy college football game was coming up, agreed with Fahey's message about teaching children.

"When we were playing the national anthem, I noticed his little young lady right down here, stood up, and had her hand over her heart, and that's good upbringing. That's what we all need to do for our kids. I teach my grandson when you shake somebody's hand, you look 'em in the eye and you stand up when you're talking to somebody," he said. "That's a talent that has been lost on youth today."

He talked more about why the wreath ceremony was important.

"America has always been the first nation to stand up for the freedom of people from around the world. Many of you here today have answered that call and served your country well. We are here today to say thank you and we are honored to know you. There are many men and women serving today in all branches of the military here at home and in places far away that most of us have never heard of. These men and women are part of the best trained, best equipped force in the world. We honor them and their families, or the sacrifices that they make each day to keep our country safe from terrorism, hatred and injustice that plagues the world community," he said.

He asked that people remember to take a moment to thank those in or retired from service.

After the speeches, each branch of the military received a wreath. Then, families and volunteers took the rest to be laid on graves in the cemetery. 

The morning ended with a serene quiet that had a layer of respect and remembrance woven into it.