U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, right, presents Veteran Gregg Giesler of Los Alamos with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to honor his service to the nation. Courtesy photo
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, left, presents Veteran Dennis Fordham of Los Alamos with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to honor his service to the nation. Courtesy photo
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, second from left, gathers with veterans and guests Feb. 15 at the American Legion to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, participated in events this month across New Mexico’s Third Congressional District honoring the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.
At a ceremony Feb. 15 in Los Alamos, Luján presented two local veterans with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to honor their service to the nation:
- Gregg Giesler; and
- Dennis Fordham.
Luján joined Tribal leaders Feb. 17 from Jicarilla Apache Nation for a veteran pinning in Dulce. Five veterans – Charles Davis, Leroy Tecube, Herbert Garcia, Everett Serafin, Wesley Notsinneh, Collins Enjady – were recognized, in addition to 13 families of veterans. Members of Luján’s team also held a veteran pinning Friday in Questa.
The pinning ceremony is part of a national effort to honor Vietnam-era veteran military service members who were on active duty between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975. Through this program, Luján has honored more than 245 veterans from New Mexico’s Third Congressional District.
“New Mexicans have always answered the call to service, and it’s an honor to recognize veterans and their families for their valor and patriotism in pinning ceremonies across the Third Congressional District. Often times, Vietnam veterans weren’t properly welcomed home following their service, but I am proud to recognize today their bravery to our nation,” Luján said. “Presenting veterans with a token of our country’s gratitude is an important measure, but we can best honor the sacrifice of veterans by fulfilling our commitments to provide the health care and support these courageous individuals have earned through their service.”