New Mexico VII

As promised in the last post from Springer (scroll back one post if you missed it) here are a few more pictures from this memorial.

I opened the last post with a picture of a bench/sign carved from a large log and the pictures today are also of wood, carved from a single tree trunk by the same artist.

The inside of the split branch contains two plaques. The first, pictured here is a dedication to all from the area who served in the listed wars. The second, not shown, is info about who sponsored the site etc.

You can see that this plaque has had some wear. It depicts an eagles head, a starred banner, a dedication to all veterans and a list of the wars in which they participated. It only goes back to WWI because New Mexico did not become a state until 1912, so the first war her citizens could participate was WWI.

On several other surfaces on the tree trunk are various inscriptions and pictures.

For anyone who may not know, the bottom flag is the New  Mexico state flag.

There is one additional wooden component but I will leave that until a future posting.

Next time, we will move on to New York , so join me there at 9:00am on the 22nd.

To see additional memorials from New Mexico, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.

New Mexico VI

Springer, New Mexico lies about 60 miles east of the National Memorial in Angel Fire. This very small town has created a remarkable memorial site to all veterans. As of the 2010 census, a few more than 1000 people lived in and around the town.

Many memorials to our different involvements are under the roofed, fenced, area.

51 Vietnam vets are listed on the gray granite on the lawn of the former Colfax County Court House, which is now a museum.

There are several pieces here that honor our brothers and sisters and also an interesting POW memorial. I will spend more time on these in the next post.

So, to see more from this surprising site, join me on the 17th at 9:00am.

To see other memorials from New Mexico, or any other state, click the state name n ten left side of this page.

New Mexico V

In Northern New Mexico lies the town of Springer. It is west of Taos and south of Trinidad, Colorado. I have attempted to get there before but was unable to do so. I was recently in Colorado and managed to get down to Springer and am really thrilled that I did.

In front of the "Old Colfax Court House" on Maxwell Ave is a small, enclosed area that is replete with memorials and remembrances. A couple, like the Vietnam Memorial are made of stone, but several others are carved wooded tributes, all done by the same man, "Eugene."

The Vietnam Memorial lists the fifty-one names of those from the area that served. There are no designations as to KIA/MIA so one assumes, hopes, that all returned safely.

Within one of the wood carvings, all from tree trunks or limbs, is this plaque. It honors all who have served, from WWI to Iraq and Afghanistan.

 I know that I repeat myself. Please indulge me. What small towns, like Springer, do for their vets is, so often, astounding. Thank you Springer.

On the 7th, at 9:00am, we will venture back to New York. See you there!

To see other memorials from New Mexico, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.