Honor Flight Celebration Welcomed Veterans with Pride and Gratitude, Friday Night

Alamogordo, NM — On Friday, September 27, 2025, New York Avenue in the Alamogordo MainStreet district of downtown Alamogordo came alive with flags, cheers, and heartfelt tributes as five veterans returned from their Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The community gathered at Patron’s Hall and the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts to celebrate their service, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.

Hosted by the US Veterans Motorcycle Club – New Mexico Trinity Chapter and the New Mexico Patriot Guard Riders, the event marked the latest in a three-year tradition of downtown welcome-home ceremonies that have become a cornerstone of Alamogordo’s civic pride. Riders escorted the veterans from El Paso International Airport in a solemn convoy, with additional escorts from the Texas Rangers, New Mexico State Police, Otero County Sheriff's Department and the Alamogordo Police Department. They arrived greeted by a crowd lining New York Avenue with handmade signs, flags salutes, and applause.

The honored veterans included

Veterans Honored to a Hero's Welcome Friday, Sept 27th, 2025 - AlamogordoTownNews.org

• Thomas Contreras – U.S. Navy, Vietnam War Veteran

Contreras served aboard ship during the Vietnam War, supporting both combat and humanitarian missions. His quiet strength and resilience reflect the steadfast commitment of naval personnel who ensured mission success behind the scenes.

• James Ernst – U.S. Air Force, 20+ Years of Service

Ernst’s career spanned multiple aircraft platforms and operational theaters, including extensive deployments during Vietnam. His technical mastery and endurance helped maintain air superiority and logistical support during high-risk missions.

• Major Howard Moffitt – U.S. Air Force, Civil Engineering Corps

Moffitt’s 20-year career included critical infrastructure work in Vietnam, ensuring base operations and environmental safety under hostile conditions. His leadership protected lives and sustained military readiness.

• Marry Moffitt – U.S. Military Enlistee, Vietnam War Era

Enlisting on a four-year contract during the Vietnam War, Marry Moffitt served with distinction and later married Howard Moffitt. Her story highlights the vital role of women in uniform and the enduring bonds forged through service.

Inside Patron’s Hall, the veterans were welcomed by a patriotic crowd that included family members, fellow service members, and civic leaders.

Mayor Susan Payne and Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald were in attendance, continuing their unwavering support for every Honor Flight welcome since the tradition began. Their presence reaffirmed Alamogordo’s commitment to honoring veterans not just in ceremony, but in everyday community life.

“This is Alamogordo at its finest,” said Mayor Payne. “We don’t just say thank you—we show it, every time.”

Mayor Pro Temp McDonald added, "we have consistently attended out of respect to honor the sacrifice of these fine veterans. I'm honored to celebrate these fine individuals."

The evening featured personal reflections, refreshments, hugs and thank you's from the Alamogordo Community. The event also serves as a public rewriting of history for many Vietnam-era veterans when honored, offering the recognition they were denied decades ago.

The convey of riders escorting the veterans were instrumental in creating a dignified and celebratory atmosphere, ensuring each veteran felt the full weight of community gratitude upon their return. The event led  by US Veterans Motorcycle Club – New Mexico Trinity Chapter and the New Mexico Patriot Guard Riders continues a three-year tradition of coordinated Honor Flight welcomes in the Alamogordo MainStreet District of Block 11 and Block 12.

For more information on future Honor Flight events or to support veteran outreach, visit Honor Flight Network or follow updates from 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News.

Byline: Chris Edwards, journalist for AlamogordoTownNews.org  and  author of several top selling books on Alamogordo History, 2nd Chance Advocacy and Inspirational Literature. 

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