A Pinning Ceremony for Mr. Pedro C. Chavez, an 88-year-old Air Force Veteran, was conducted on October 21st, 2026, at Mr. Chavez’s residence in Los Lunas, 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. Chavez, a lifelong resident of Los Lunas, served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1960. He served with his unit at an Air Force Base in Mississippi as a mail clerk, in the supply and logistics division. He later joined, and served four (4) years with, the New Mexico National Guard.
Among those In Attendance:
Chet Pino, Post Commander; Frank Gurule, Post Adjutant, and John Tull, Post member; Lennie Gurule, Ambercare Volunteer, and Veterans Tribute, Coordinator; Lisa Mascarenas, Ambercare Bereavement Coordinator, Joey Pollom, Ambercare Chaplain; Jackie Mendoza, RN, Mr. Chavez’s Ambercare Nurse; and family members, Ester Chavez, daughter, and Jerome Chavez, son, and his wife Viola, Pila Marquez, sister, Franchesca Castillo, Granddaughter, Josh Chavez, Grandson.
Valencia County News-BulletinVeterans 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 is 26 October.
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