NMNG supports brick laying ceremony

Run for the Wall members have placed approximately 400 bricks bearing the names of living and deceased veterans – including eight Medal of Honor recipients – along memorial walkways each year for the last 14 years. NMNG Soldiers arrived early to set up sunscreens, a public address system, tables and chairs and stayed to pitch in wherever needed for the day. Sgt. 1st Class Lola Gallegos of the 720th Transportation Company supervised the NMNG work detail. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Guy Gleason, the state’s Command Chief Warrant Officer, arrived aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Santa Fe to represent the NMNG. New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Secretary Judy Griego attended the event. After enlisting in the New Mexico Air National Guard and rising to the rank of master sergeant, Griego earned a commission and later retired as a brigadier general. The memorial overlooks the Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery being built in a field below. Griego said that the cemetery is scheduled to open in the spring of 2020. Former DVS Secretary Jack Fox also attended the ceremony with his wife Marvine. Fox was a brigadier general in the New Mexico Army National Guard, retiring as the Deputy Adjutant General of New Mexico. The event’s highlight was the arrival of Dana Bowman. Bowman parachuted into the event trailing smoke and a large U.S. flag as a bagpiper played patriotic songs. Bowman retired from the Army’s Golden Knights demonstration team after losing both of his legs in a parachuting accident. He still jumps and works as a helicopter flight instructor. Dr. Victor Westphall, a World War II Navy veteran, originally built the Angel Fire memorial as a tribute to his son, Marine Corps 1st Lt. Victor David Westphall III, after he was killed in action in Vietnam.