A Pinning Ceremony for Mr. Albert S. Walker, Jr., a 94-year-old Navy Korean War Veteran, was conducted on September 22nd, 2026, at Mr. Walker’s residence in Belen (Rio Communities), NM. The ceremony was held as part of a VFW Daniel D. Fernandez Post 9676 partnership with Ambercare Hospice, and their program for recognizing Veterans. Mr. Walker served in the Navy from 1950 to 1954, as a Machinists Mate (MM), operating, maintaining, and repairing, propulsion machinery, steam generation systems, and auxiliary equipment, aboard the USS MONTAGUE (AKA-98), an Andromeda-Class attack cargo ship.

Among those In Attendance:

Chet Pino, Post Commander;  John Tull and Ramon Eylicio, Post members; Lennie Gurule, Ambercare Volunteer and Veterans Tribute Coordinator; family members Mrs. Marla Walker, Mr. Walker’s wife, and his two (2) daughters, Dianna Coker, and Lori Porch, and her husband Stanley Porch; Richard Garcia, Ambercare Chaplain; Valeene Lynch, Ambercare Social Worker; Kira Mast, Ambercare Nurse; Ruth Romero, Blue Star Mothers of Valencia County.

Valencia County News-Bulletin

 

Veterans Day is a day set aside to acknowledge those men and women who have served and are presently serving in all branches of the U.S. Military in defense of our country and in preservation of our freedoms.  The Valencia County News-Bulletin will again honor Valencia County Veterans and active duty Valencia County service members by posting their photographers in the News-Bulletin's Veterans Day Section to be published on the Thursday before Veterans Day.  Please consider honoring your veterans or active duty service member by submitting a photograph.  If you have already submitted a photo and information for your veteran or active duty service member, the News-Bulletin has them on file and will publish them again this year.  The deadline to submit photos will be announced.

Link to Form for submitting photos