4-28-2024 6:23am

Five Local Veterans Welcomed Home to a Hero’s Welcome

Chris Edwards Editor

The 1960’s through the early 1970’s was a divisive time for America, a fight for civil rights had taken to the streets with the assignations of President John F Kennedy, his brother, a candidate for the presidency, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. There were protest at the universities and in every major city against the Vietnam war and the nation appeared to some to be breaking apart in division.

Sound familiar? As, today we have protests at the universities and in major cities; this time condemning a war we are not involved in directly, yet are funding in the Middle East. A political environment that borders on toxic, with friends no longer speaking to friends as a result.

But one thing, today unlike the past, that unites us, is recognition of our veterans.

American soldiers returning home from Vietnam often faced scorn as the war they had fought in became increasingly unpopular, and yet, a majority of those who participated, were drafted and had no choice. They deserved, a welcome home!

All of that is different now and last night, as citizens from Alamogordo and El Paso, came out last night to show 5 retired veterans; 4 from the Vietnam War and one from the Korean Conflict that they were honored and yes indeed, welcomed home!

Those honored included:

Master Sergeant, Gary Estep escorted with Debbie Crowford as his daughter and Honor Flight Guardian. Master Sergeant Estep served three tours in Vietnam as a flight engineer on a HH3E helicopter known as the Jolly Green Giant. He has lived in Alamogordo since 1977.

Specialist 4, William Findley escorted with his wife Darline as his Honor Guard Guardian. Specialist 4, Bill Findlay served from 1958-1961 in the US Army Corps of Engineers and was a truck mounted crane operator and heavy equipment mechanic. He worked at Lime Point Coast Guard Lighthouse which is in San Francisco on the North side of the Golden Gate Bridge. His dad's joke was that he volunteered to “go overseas” but they sent him to San Francisco and crossing the bridge was his only “over sea” experience.

Airman First Class, Louis Theriot escorted with his wife Janet as his Honor Guard Guardian. Airman First Class Theriot served 1962-1966 as a T-33 and F-105 crew chief. He served in the Vietnam conflict deployed to Takhli Air Base in Thailand.

Chief Master Sargent, Richard McElderry is escorted by Rashal McElderry his daughter and Honor Flight Guardian and with his wife, Flori. Chief Master Sargent McElderry retired in Alamogordo, after his second assignment at Holloman Air Force Base. Chief McElderry served in Europe, Korea, and multiple assignments in the US as a transportation squadron member which is now the Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS). Richard and his wife Flori raised two Alamogordo tigers and one also went to NMSU and currently works at the Alamogordo library.

Airman, Irvin Michaud is escorted by his fiancee Yvonne. Airman Michaud hails from Bangor Maine and served from 1950 to 1953 in New Mexico at Kirkland and Holloman Air Force Bases. He was part of the Hydrogen bomb testing that allowed him to travel to the Marshall Islands for actual testing. Eventually he moved back to the Tularosa Basin where he has lived for close to 70 years.

Also a part of the Honor Guard team was Kathryn McMaster who served as an event Guardian. She lives in Alamogordo and escorted one of the Veterans throughout the events.

The US Veterans Motor Cycle Club Trinity Chapter, under the leadership of , President, Ryan Nowaczck, with his handy Vice President, Scott Fredrick along with their wives; Cindy Nowaczck and Kristin Fredrick pulled off the leg work, event set up and clean up, public relations, and coordinated along with Honor Flight and Patriot Guard Riders to ensure the success of their latest mission number 17.

This mission of the Honor Flight 17 carried many retired and older veterans and their families to Washington DC to see the memorials and to pay tribute to them for their service. They left earlier in the week for a whirlwind and fatiguing journey of recognition and celebration of their service.

Flying from the El Paso Airport their journey began at 2 am in the morning…

Upon return they were greeted in El Paso to a plethora of adoring fans…

…and then off in the van for a escort from El Paso to the historic New York Avenue in Alamogordo

The escort was by police in Texas and New Mexico, Otero County Sheriff’s, and a number of motorcycle club members of the Patriot Guard Riders and the US Veterans Motor Cycle Club Trinity Chapter.

…upon arrival in Alamogordo on the historic New York Avenue the 5 Veterans were greeted to a hero’s welcome and a reception of recognition and appreciation for their service.

on hand was a cross section of the community, longtime veterans supporter Dale Lindley…

…as were a few elected representatives such as Mayor Susan Payne, Mayor Pro Temp and District 5 Commissioner, Sharon McDonald and Commissioner Burnett. Also many community business leaders, and the public at large, from young kids to those a bit older, to welcome our veterans home in celebration to their service.

Congratulations: Master Sergeant, Gary Estep, Specialist 4, William Findley, Airman First Class, Louis Theriot, Chief Master Sargent, Richard McElderry, and Airman, Irvin Michaud, and finally, Welcome Home!