Mayor welcomes naval officer on 9/11

This day, this week is an important one. Yes, Sept. 11 marks the day that so many lives were lost to the terror attacks on the United States. However, the week it falls on is Navy Week, making it that much more impactful that the Navy Capt. Mery-Angela Sanabria Katson, director of total force manpower training and education requirements, visited Rio Rancho Sept. 11.

Mayor Gregg Hull and City Councilor Bob Tyler, who himself served in the Navy, welcomed her by holding two flower ceremonies, one at Veterans Monument Park in front of the Purple Heart Memorial and another at the Vista Verde 9/11 Memorial. The flowers and correspondence was sponsored by the Navy League of New Mexico.

Katson traveled from Maryland to represent the Navy. She is in civil capacity with her director position but is a retired captain. Rio Rancho is one of her many stops during Navy Week.

"We're here to bring the Navy and to be part of showcasing our Navy. I don't even know how many events we have here, but somewhere upwards between 75 and 100. So to be able to bring the different facets and participate with civic leaders, as well as with young kids in education settings, in a place where Navy isn't prevalent and people might not know what the Navy is about, it's very important to make sure we reach the hearts in landlocked states just like New Mexico," she said.

As someone who was born in South America and served her time in Texas, she says the Southwest is close to her heart.

"I love the southern states as I was Texan for a while and served there, so total respect for the culture and the people," she added.

Navy Week, she says, is an opportunity to inform, educate and also show people they have opportunities in uniform.

She was humbled by her meeting with Hull and Tyler, though. She says her trip to New Mexico has been warming to her.

"From the minute I had landed in New Mexico, I felt like I was back home. I was born in South America. So I'm Colombian raised in a Hispanic household. So when I came here, and of course, the people are just so generous, so authentic and then humbling. To be with the mayor, for me, it was more of an honor for me to stand next to him, knowing what his role is in Rio Rancho right now. I am totally honored to have that opportunity," she said.

She thanked Rio Rancho for being a gracious host to her and by extent the Navy. She also reflected on why 9/11 is so important to the Navy and first responders.

"It's a time to reflect and to honor those who've fought for our country. When our country was under attack, we united as a country and reinforced the need for our military service and leadership to come together," she said.

"It's a reminder that freedom is not free and the only way to to ensure something like this doesn't ever happen again is by continuing to serve in every capacity. I'll encourage that folks have that togetherness to serve our country because it's something that you never want to repeat again."

Navy Week

Before the flowers were placed at each serene location, Hull and Tyler partook in a tradition that not many know about.

If anyone has been in the military or worked for the Defense Department, they know what a challenge coin is. They’ve been an American military tradition for a century, meant to instill unit pride, improve "esprit de corps" and reward hard work and excellence. Many service members and veterans proudly display challenge coins at their desks or homes, showing off the many missions they’ve been on, the top leaders they’ve met and the units for which they’ve worked.

On 9/11, Hull, Tyler and Katson partook in trading their respective coins. It was a sign of mutual respect between them.

"We are honored to have you here," Hull said.

Hull also thanked Katson for her service, saying he would not be able to be mayor of Rio Rancho if the military didn't fight for people's freedoms.