Alamogordo NM
5-13-2025 5:24am

VFW Post 7686 Celebrated May 10th 2025 as a Day of Service

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) local Post 7686 representing Alamogordo and Tularosa proudly participated in the 4th annual VFW Day of Service, on May 10th, 2025

VFW Post 7686 delved right into service Saturday morning taking on the task of cleaning, painting and rehabilitating the Veterans Memorial located across from the Tularosa Basin Museum. Volunteers led by the new commander elect, Ryan Nowaczck and the complete set of newly elected officers, members and family supporters took on the task of volunteering early morning with enthusiasm. 

The new senior vice commander Matt Yarbrough and the junior vice is Jason Casey who both volunteered. 

Quartemaster Tom Seymour organized the entire event, obtained the donated supplies throughout the community. Starbucks also donated coffee and food.

The significance of this volunteer event was to honor those who are recognized via the Alamogordo Veteran's Memorial. 
The names listed on the memorial and are those of fine individuals who earned the U.S. Army Airborne Wings and more. They volunteered out of a neighborhood that measures approximately one quarter of a square mile in area. This is believed to be the nation's largest per capita concentration of paratroopers to issue from such a small and sparsely populated area. Officers and enlisted men from this group have fought in every major conflict in which the U.S. Army Airborne has served. Others memorialized include POWs and others.

The VFW dedicated day of service across the nation was led by veterans and their families participating throughout the country and the world. This annual May 10th event kicks off and is the start of veteran-led community service projects to take place throughout the month by posts across the US.

For the past three years, thousands of VFW members and veterans around the world have joined together for the VFW Day of Service, showcasing the myriad ways of ways they are #StillServing," said Al Lipphardt, VFW national commander.

"By fostering connections and supporting their communities, they have exemplified the strength of unity. We are excited to see Day of Service 2025 grow even larger from previous years, deepening our reach and making a stronger impact in the communities we serve."

Launched in 2022, VFW Day of Service began as an outgrowth of the organization's #StillServing campaign that launched in 2020 to recognize the ongoing dedication of veterans and service members who continue to serve their communities after their military service has ended.

Veterans are more likely than civilians to volunteer in their communities, according to a recent civic health survey of veterans. The same study showed veterans donate to charities, register to vote and are involved in their communities and local government at a greater rate than their civilian counterparts.

The VFW is calling on all veterans across America and around the world to join in the VFW Day of Service to show that veterans never stop serving.

Locally the VFW Post 7686 just elected new leadership with a goal of reengaging the outreach of the post to a more dynamic membership seeking active duty and younger members to participate and partner with more senior members for a robust organization. The staff led by Chad Weaver has enhanced canteen offerings, entertainment and encourages more individuals with a military background to participate and enjoy the benefits of the local VFW. 

A May activities schedule shows many exciting events and activities…

Open to all locals veterans and civilians is bingo held 5 days a week with amazing prizes and more. Check out the local posts Facebook page to find out more…

https://www.facebook.com/share/1LVkBLo3Cr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The local VFW post 7686 pays tribute the the memories of each name featured on this memorial to include:

Adler, Daniel • Baldonado, Luis • Bell, Robert "Buck" • Chapa, Jimmy • Chapa, Jose • Chaves, Ramon • Coleman, Lavelle • Contreras, Brigido • Contreras, Rodolfo • Duran, Victor • Flores, Julian • Garcia, Leo • Gonzales, Rudy • Guerra, Nicholas III • Gutierrez, Dino • Gutierrez, Edward • Jimenez, Fidel Jr. • Johnson, Ralph • Maese, Leopoldo • Martinez, Edmundo • Martinez, Encarnacion • Martinez, Florentino • Martinez, Salvador • Martinez, Samuel Jr. • Melendez, Timoteo • Misquez, Edward • Monreal, Feliciano • Montgomery, Raymond • Moya, Benjamin • Muñoz, Gilbert Jr. • Nieto, Gilberto • Olivarez, Daniel • Pacheco, Roman • Padilla, Ruben • Pharris, Jerry • Quiñones, Armando Sr. • Quinones, Armando Jr. • Rodrigues, Cristobal • Roman, Victor • Romero, Ruben • Romo, Robert • Salas, Lucio • Salas, Manuel • Sandoval, Andres • Serna, Robert • Silva, Javier • Stogden, Federico Jr. • Torres, Emilio • Torres, Tony • Trujillo, Timothy • Valadez, Roberto • Valenzuela, Miguel • Warren, Albert • Webb, John

Right Wall
From the same one-quarter of a square mile area as the Airborne soldiers, these also served

Eddy Abeyta • Raymond W. Abeyta • Arturo Acuna Jr. • Benjie Acuna • Edward Acuna • Heracleo Acuna • Nathan Adams • Tracy Adams • Gilbert Aguilar • Ricardo Aguilar • Isidro Aldaz • Max Aldaz • Ralph Almengor • Cindy Alone • Glen Alone • Manuel Alonzo Jr. • Antonio Anaya • Gorgonio Anaya • James E. Anderson • Jerry D. Anderson • Richard E. Anderson • Carlos Apodaca • Luis Apodaca • Cristobal Arana • Cruz Arana Jr. • Cruz Arana Sr. • Freddie Arana • Bengie Arenas • Frank Arenas • Lalo Arenas • Vivian Arenas Jr. • Johnny Armenta • Juan Armenta Sr. • Arnuflo Armijo • David Armijo • Hipolito Armijo • Edward Armijo • Gary Aubel • Leo Aubel Jr. • Samuel Aubel • Johnny Avila • Jose Avila • Leonardo Avila Jr. • Leonardo Avila Sr. • Louis Avila • Luis Avila • Rudy Avila • Blas Badial • Herbert R. Baládore • Carlos Balderrama • Cruz Balderrama • Ignaci Balderrama • Jose Balderrama • Juan Balderrama • Lorenzo Balderrama • Winses Balderrama • James Baldonado • Juanita Baldonado • Rosalio Baldonado • Antonio Barela • Basilio Barela • Ignacio Barela • Joe Barela • Jose Barela • Manuel Barela • Roberto Barela • Ruben Barela • Samuel Barela • Tranquilino Barela • Uvaldo Barela • Acruz Barraza • George Barraza • Julio Barraza • Paul Barraza • Rosalio Barraza • Alcario Barros • Bobby Bassford • Clyde Bell • Ramon Beltran • Alfonzo Benitez • David Benitez • Elias Benitez • Naya Benitez • Jose Benitez • Pablo Benitez • Derrick Bickham • Buddy Black • Ray Blake • William Bland • Donald Bolin • Timothy Bond • Abel Borunda • Adolfo Borunda • Albert Borunda • David Borunda • Frank Borunda • Sam Borunda • Jessie Boute • Lewis Branch • Albert Briseno • Margarito Briseno • Martin Briseno • Raymond Briseno • Billy Brown • Sam Bruswelas Jr. • Samuel Brusuelas Sr. • Kenneth Bryant • Cruz Calles • Elias Calles III • Elias Calles Jr. • Rumaldo Camacho • Carlos Candelaria • Nemecio Candelaria • Frank Cano • Jimmy Cano • Alfredo Carabajal • Marcos Carmona • Danny Carrillo • Felix Carillo • Jerry Carrillo • Manuel Carrillo • Myron Carter • Roy Castorena • Rudy Chanez • Arturo Chavez • Dario Chavez • Eugene Chavez • Fernando Chavez • Frank Chavez • Jerry Chavez • Joe Chavez • Johnny Chavez • Julio Chavez • Martin Chavez • Mele Chavez • Michael Chavez - Rafael Chavez • Reynaldo Chavez • Robert Chavez • Ronnie Chavez • Sam Chavez • Ted Chavez • "Buddy" Clark • Edward Clark • Danny Cochran • Ernest Cofield • Varner Coleman • Federico Colmenero • Basilio Contreras • Daniel Contreras • Eusebio Contreras • Jimmy Contreras • Luis Contreras • Santiago Contreras • Tony Contreras • Felix Cordero • Gary Cordero • Gonzalo Cordero • Mauro Cordero • Orlando Cordero • Saul Cordero • James Coulter • Eliseo Covarrubia • Manuel Covarrubia • Candelario Coyazo • Fernando Coyazo • Frank M. Coyazo • Guillermo Coyazo • Joe Coyazo • Johnny Coyazo • Juan Coyazo • Librado Coyazo • Michael R. Coyazo • Oscar Coyazo • Rufas Coyazo Ysidro G. Coyazoysidro • R. Coyazo • Bronson Curry • Charles Curry • George Curry Jr. • King Davis • Junious E. Dawsey • Leroy Dawsey • Ricky Dawsey • Abran Deleon • Belia Juan Delgado • Larry Delgado • Maria R. Delgado • Joe Delgado • A. Delgado • Pedro Delgado • Santiago Delgado • Benny Diaz • Charlie Diaz • Joe Diaz • Leroy Diaz • Santos Diaz • Harold W. Dilsworth • Calvin Dilworth • Michelle Dilworth • Secundino Dimas • Eddie Dominguez • Ramon Dominguez • Don Duquette • Albert Duran • Alvino R. Duran • Antonio G. Duran • Arturo Duran • Charles Duran Jr. • Charles Duran Sr. • Eloy Duran • Gerardo Duran • Joaquin Duran • Jose Duran • Luis Ouran • Manuel Duran Jr. • Octaviano Duran • Paul Duran • Ramon Duran • Robert N. Duran . Rosendo Duran • Rudy Duran • Tony Duran Jr. • Federico Enriquez • Chumita Esquero • Albert Estrada • Braulio Estrada • Gilberto Estrada • Jesus Estrada • Juan Estrada • Pablo Estrada • Paul Estrada • Pete Estrada • Rene Estrada • Robert Estrada • Sumi Valente Estrada • Willie Estrada • Fred Evans • Alberto Flores • Damacio Flores • Fred Flores • Joe Flores • Johnny Flores • Julian Flores • Manuel Flores • Ramon Flores • Ricky Flores • Charles E. Frazier • George M. Frazier • Jessie W. Frazier • Bobby J. Fritz • Ernest Fritz • George Fritz • Lawrence Fritz • Sam Fritz • Monika Fritzgerald • Albert Fuentes • Arthur Fuentes • Carlos Fuentes Jr. • Carlos Fuentes Sr. • Eddie Fuentes • Pete Fuentes • Placido Fuentes Jr. • Richard Fuentes • Rita Fuentes • Seledonio Fuentes • Mawrilio Gallegos • Salomon Gallegos • Tomas Gallegos • Jimmy Gamboa • Alfred J. Garcia • Arthur Garcia • Chris P. Garcia • Damacio Garcia Jr. • David Garcia • Ernest Garcia • Estevan Garcia • Gabriel Garcia • Visidro Garcia Jr. • Juan Garcia Jr. • Lazaro Garcia Jr. • Mike J. Garcia • Ramon C. Garcia • Ruben Garcia • Stephen Garcia • Virgil George • Allen Gilbert • David Gillihan • Santiago Gillihan • Pepe Gomez • Alejo Gonzales • Andres Gonzales • Benito Gonzales • Bobby Gonzales • Danny Gonzales • David Gonzales • Eddie Gonzales • Eddy Gonzales • Elias Gonzales • Ernest Gonzales • Eugene Gonzales • Francisco Gonzales

POW * MIA - You are not forgotten• Frank Gonzales • Gilbert Gonzales • Guillermo Gonzales • Guillermo R. Gonzales • Horacio Gonzales • Jesus Gonzales • Jimmy Gonzales • Joel Gonzales • John Gonzales • Johnny Gonzales • Jose Gonzales • Lazaro Gonzales • Luis Gonzales • Mario B. Gonzales • Mario Gonzales Jr. • Martin B. Gonzales • Miguel Gonzales • Nicolas Gonzales • Pedro Gonzales • Pedro L. Gonzales • Robert Gonzales • Rudy Gonzales • Saul Gonzales • Tony Gonzales • Willie Gonzales • David Graham • Johnny C. Graham • Willie Graham • Benito Granados • Ernesto Granados Sr. • Gilberto Granados • James Granados • Luis Granados • Manuel Granados • John D. Griffith • Benjamin Guerra • Juan Guerra • Nicolas Guerra Jr. • Nicolas Guerra Sr. • Ramon Guerra • Rudy Guerra • Freddie Gutierrez • Henry Gutierrez • Johnny Gutierrez • Johnny Gutierrez Jr. • Johnny Gutierrez Sr. • Luis Gutierrez • Mike Gutierrez • Ricardo Gutierrez • Samuel Gutierrez • Debra K. Hargraves • Floyd Hargraves • Joe Hernandes • Joe S. Hernandes • John Hernandes • Pilar V. Hernandes Jr. • Ruben V. Hernandes • Tony Hernandes • Eliseo Hernandez • Jose Hernandez • Manuel Hernandez • Pete Hernandez • Franklin Herrera • James Herrera • John Herrera • Michael Herrera • Richard Herrera • Tony Herrera • Benny Hill • Bobby Hill • Bobby Hill Jr. • Ernest Hill • Eugene Hill • Gilbert Hill • Jacob Hill • Paul Hill • Ralph Hill • Alan K. Hilliard • Cynthia P. Hilliard

Left Wall 2nd and 4th Plaques• James Hilliard • Rim Hilliard • Lavern Hilliard • Lee Hilliard • Scottie Hilliard • Steve Hilliard • Claude Holguin • Mariano Holguin • Robert Holguin • Donnell Holland • Genaro Jimenez • Agapito Jimenez • Fidel Jimenez Jr. • Lalo Jimenez • Daniel Johnson • Henry Johnson • Lorenzo Johnson • Pete Johnson • Ruth Johnson • Seltica Jones • Eddie Ray Kearney • Larry Lee • Melvin Lee • Leonard Lewis • Steve Leyva • Conrado Lopez • Ernest Lopez • Jesus C. Lopez • Kenneth J. Lopez • Lorenzo Lopez • Manuel Lopez • Marcos P. Lopez • Trinidad Lopez • David W. Loud • Antonio Lucero • Eloy Lucero • Jessie Lucero • Ramon Lucero • Richard Lucero • Robert Lucero • Samuel Lucero • Eddie Luevano • Ignacio Luevano • Jesus Luevano • Pablo Luevano • Robert Luevano • Juan Luna • Tony Luna Jr. • Tony Luna Sr. • Miguel Macias • Rudy Macias • Victor Macias • Alfredo Madrid • Eloy Madrid • Miguel Madrid • Edwardo Maese • Ernesto Maese • Hilario Maese • Leopoldo Maese Sr. • Richard Maese • Samuel Maese • Eduard Maestas • Greg Mallery • Benjamin Malone • Cornelio Malone • Dan Malone • Eduardo Malone • Federico Malone • Fernando Malone • Joe Malone Jr. • Joe Malone Sr. • Louis Malone • Manuel Malone • Santiago Malone • Arturo Marquez • Bobby Marquez • Johnny Marquez • Adrian Martinez • Alberto F. Martinez • Alfonso Martinez • Louis Martinez • Marcial Martinez • Mario Martinez • Martin Martinez • Manuel Martinez.

.Left Wall 3rd Plaque- New Mexico National Guard Insignia• Pablo F. Martinez • Clovis Mattox • Harlee Mattox • Worthy Mattox • Clifford Mcdonald • Angela Mckinny • Eugene Mckinny • David Mcmiller • Fransisco Medina • Juan Medina • Miguel Medina • Mariano Melendrez • Jose Melendrez Jr. • Isidro Mendez • Berry Miles Jr. • Larry Miles • George Mirabal • Jimmy Mirabal • Johnny Mirabal • Lorenzo Mirabal • Pablo Mirabal • Robert Mirabal • Sammy Mirabal • Tony Mirabal • Daniel Misquez • Ruben Misquez • E.B. Mitchell • James Miyagishima • Mike Miyagishima • Robert Miyagishima • Baltazar Moncada • Enrique Moncada • Frank Moncada • Alejandro Monroy • Edward Monroy • Larry Monroy • Rudy Monroy • Florentino Montanez • Ricardo Montez • Salvador Montez • Donald Montgomery • Abran Montoya • Alejo Montoya • Juan Montoya • Manuel Montoya • Severo Montoya • Adrian Morales • John Morris Sr. • Candido Moya • Ezequiel Moya • Manuel Moya • Max Moya • Ahmad Mughni • Almitra Muchni • Alfred Mundz • Gilbert Munoz Sr. • Joe Munoz • Luis Munoz • Alfredo Najera • Angie Najera • Jose M. Najera • Fidel Najera • Gustavo Najera • Joe Najera Jr. • Jose Najera • Juan Najera • Luis Najera • Salvador Najera • Earl Nickelson • Manuel Nora • Benny Noriega • Charles Noriega • Ernesto Noriega • George Noriega • Isabel Noriega • Jimmy Noriega • Marcelino Noriega Jr. • Raymundo Noriega • Santiago Noriega • Saturnino Noriega • Tony Noriega • Alfredo Nunez • Manuel Nunez • Ramon Nunez • Alfredo Ochoa Jr. • Ernesto Ochoa • Manuel Ochoa • Patricio Ochoa • Raul Ochoa • Alfredo Olivarez • Avelino Olivarez • Brigido Olivarez • Jose Olivarez • Manuel Olivarez • Mike Olivarez • Ramon Olivarez • Faustino Ontiveros • Higinio Ontiveros • Manuel Ontiveros • Ramon Ontiveros • Eliseo Orona • Frank Drona • Patrick Orona • Paz Orona • William Orona • Bengie S. Ortega • Daniel Ortega • David Ortega • George Ortega • Ismael Ortega • Johnny Ortega • Juan Ortega • Oscar Ortega • Raul Ortega • Rudy Ortega • Samuel Ortega • Vicente Ortega • Faustino Ortiz • Mariano Ortiz • Jimmy Ostic • Antonio Otero • Florentino Otero • Gabriel Otero • Joe Otero • Lawrence Otero • Orlando Otero • Rudy Padilla • Charlie Parra • Manuel Parra • O'neal Patterson • Ruffer Patterson • Willie Patterson • James Paul • Joe Paul • Alfredo Paz • Frank Paz • Gregorio Paz Jr. • Gregorio Paz Sr. • Simon Paz • Juan Pena • Joe Perea • Jack Pharris Jr. • Michael Pharris • Andres A. Piedra • Carlos J. Piedra • Ramon C. Piedra • Abran Piedra Jr. • Abran Piedra Sr. • Alberto Piedra • James Pippen • Yolanda M. Polen • Louis Porras • Abran Porras Jr. • Frank Porras • Joe Porras • Ramon Porras • Ernest Preciado • Luis Preciado Jr. • Luis Preciado Sr. • Pete Preciado • Reynaldo Preciado • Carlos Prudencio • George Prudencio • Arturo Quinones • Manuel Quintana • Carlos Ramirez • Refugio Ramirez • Angel Ramos • Alfonso Rey • Charlie Rey • Nerman Rey • Tony Rey • Jessie Reynolds • Henry D. Richard • Bryant Roberts • Carel Robinson • Lewis Rodgers • Luta Rodgers • Will Rodgers • Aniceto Rodriguez • Cristobal Rodriguez Jr. • Juan Rodriguez • Tino Rodriguez • Leslie Rogers • Lovie Rogers • Amador Roman • Candido Roman • Cristobal S. Roman • Ignacio C. Roman • Jesus Roman • Julian Roman Jr. • Rene Roman • Ricky Roman • Rodolfo Roman • Johnny Romero • Pedro Romero Jr. • Raul Romero • Federico Romo • Albert Rowland • Jim Rowland • Lee Rowland • Manuel Ruiz • Robert Ruiz Jr. • Robert Aviz Sr. • Bobby Safford • Eduardo Salas • Julio Salas • Valentin Salas • Alberto Salazar • Raul Salazar • Jose R. Salcido • Luis Salcido • Pilo Salcido • Ramon Salcido • Alberto L. Sanchez • Benjamin Sanchez • David Sanchez • Francisco Sanchez • Gary Sanchez • Godfrey Sanchez Jr. • Godfrey Sanchez Sr. • Ismael Sanchez • Mark Sanchez • Raymond Sanchez Jr. • Raymundo C. Sanchez • Valente Sanchez • Andres Sandoval Sr. • Andy Sandoval • Benny Sandoval • Charlie Sandoval • Claudy Sandoval • Jesus Sandoval • Juan Sandoval • Louis Sandoval • Paul Sandoval • Sabino Sandoval • Ignacio Sarmiento Jr. • Juan Sarmiento • Jose Serna • Isabel Sida • Tito Sida • Luis Silva • Onecimo Sisneros • Elija Smith Jr. • Elija Smith Sr. • Wilfred Smith • Lloyd St. John "Buster" Stevens • Johnny Stevens • Federico Stogden Sr. • Henry Stogden • Johnny Stogden • Roberto Stogden Sr. • Ebenezer Taylor • Jerry Taylor • Nanette Taylor • Adolfo Telles • Ernest Telles • Jerry Telles • Luis Telles • Ricky Telles • Sammy Telles • Calvin Thomas • George Thomas • James Thomas • John H. Thomas • William Thomas • Felicía G. Thompkins • Terrick L. Thompkins • Alcario Torres • Alfredo Torres • Antonio Torres • Fernando Torres • Frank Torres • Gorgonio Torres • Johnny Torres • Jose A. Torres • Librado Torres • Pedro Torres • Pedro P. Torres • Reco Torres • Sammy Torres • Serafin Torres • Tony Torres • Willie M. Torres • Lonny Troy • Alfredo Trujillo • Barney Trujillo • Elias Trujillo • Erlindo Trujillo • John B. Trujillo • John H. Trujillo • Michael Trujillo • Armando Valadez • Florentino Valadez • Emilio Valdespino • Frank Valdespino • Juan Valdespino • Musió Valdespino • Robert Valdez • Charley Valenzuela • Michael Valenzuela • Robert Valenzuela • Andres Valle • Arturo Valle • Jose S. Valle • Raymundo Valle • Lucio Vasquez • Lance Vaughns • Carmen Vega • Felix Vega Jr. • Felix Vega Sr. • Ignacio Vega • Meliton Vega • Pedro Vega • Tacho Vega • Froylan Velasco • Juan Velasco • Ricardo Velasco • Andy Vigil • Robert Vigil • Sammy Vigil • Andres Viscarra • Eddy Viscarra • Harry Viscarra • Jesus Viscarra • Salvador Viscarra • Dornald R. Wagnor • Michael L. Wagnor • Connie Wagoner • Jack Wagoner • Lafayette Wagoner • Lindsey Wagoner • Melvin Wagoner • Pete Walters • Victor Walters • Tyrone Washington • Darin Weaver • Bert White • Nora White • Bert Woods • James Woods • Keith A. Woods • Angel Ybarra • Emilio Zamora • Roger Zamora • Joaquin Zuniga

Killed in Action
Ignacio Barela • Billy Brown • Fernando Chavez • Willie Estrada • Esteban Garcia • Hilario Maese • Timoteo Melendez • Luia Rodgers • Roberto Stogden Sr. • Alcario Torres

Died of Wounds Subsequent to Combat Operations
Alcario Barros • Daniel Cochran Sr. • Lazaro Garcia Jr. • Rudy Gonzales • Miguel Medina • Brigido Olivarez • Johnny Stogden • Andy Vigil

Prisoners of War
Rodolfo Guerra • Miguel Medina • Albert Rowland • Ismael Sanchez • Teofilo Sanchez

Left Wall 1st Plaque
POW * MIA - You are not forgotten
This plaque is respectfully dedicated to the following men who were prisoners of war

Raymond Abeyta-North Africa • David Borunda-Bataan • Rodolfo Guerra-Korean Conflict • Miguel Medina-Bataan • Albert Rowland-Bataan • Ismael Sanchez-Europe • Teofilo Sanchez-Bataan

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