Former Mayor Susan Payne On Honor Flight Connection, Shares Excitement of Send-Off for Alamogordo Veterans

Alamogordo, NM — Former Mayor Susan Payne by coincidence joined the flight for the Thursday send-off for a group of veterans on a Rio Grande Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., describing the experience as deeply moving as she witnessed local heroes receiving long-overdue recognition.

In comments shared with Alamogordo Town News, Payne expressed her enthusiasm: “It was exciting to see the two individual veterans from Alamogordo and the others be able to be recognized with this honor.” She witnessed the delegation send off part of the journey, highlighting the community’s ongoing commitment to honoring those who served.

The two Alamogordo veterans on this trip are Chris Hall and Lucio Vazquez, both Vietnam-era veterans. Hall served in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 4 (E-4) Still Photographer from 1972–1975, while Vazquez served as a Staff Sergeant (E-5) and helicopter crew chief with the 101st Airborne Division from 1967–1969, including surviving a helicopter crash during the Battle of Hamburger Hill.

The Honor Flight participants departed for the nation’s capital to visit memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, fulfilling personal goals for many of the veterans. These trips, organized by Rio Grande Honor Flight, are provided at no cost to the veterans through community donations and volunteers.

The group is scheduled to return on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with arrival at Patron’s Hall (1106 N. New York Ave.) around 6:45–7:00 PM for a public “Welcome Home Our Heroes” celebration starting at 7:00 PM. Organizers from the U.S. Veterans MC Trinity Chapter and New Mexico Patriot Guard Riders, supported by local law enforcement, will provide a flag-line escort. The community is encouraged to attend with American flags, banners, and patriotic spirit to honor these veterans.

This event continues Alamogordo’s strong tradition of supporting Honor Flights, with past welcomes drawing significant local participation. For more information, visit riograndehonorflight.org.

Alamogordo Town News will provide coverage of the heroes’ return. Let’s show up and give Chris Hall, Lucio Vazquez, and all the participants the hero’s welcome they deserve!

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