A new year is a good time for reflection and remembrance of people who served their state and country with distinction.
I am not referring to the many incompetent politicians who only serve their self interests and are focused on titles, but not responsibilities. I speak of heroes who actually made a difference like my father, Samuel, a survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March. Also, his brother, Ramon, who participated in the Normandy invasion and was later killed in the Battle of the Bulge. He was 23 years old.
There are so many other heroes like Eloy Romero, of Velarde, and Jose Margarito Montoya, of La Puebla, who fought in WWII. Another hero that comes to mind is Isaac Martinez, of Chimayó, who was killed in the line of duty in 1994 while executing a search warrant.
There are thousands of them, too many to name them all, but they live on in our hearts and minds.
My respect to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces, law enforcement and let’s not forget our firefighters. I include the frontline healthcare workers who are tirelessly fighting the Corona virus in the lineup of heroes.
Michael Vigil
Albuquerque