“The American Legion Post 142 and VFW Post 6101 held a Dedication Ceremony for the T33A “Shooting Star” and a Memorial Stone with names of veterans of the county who served their country on August 9, 2008 at the Veteran’s Park located ½ mile East of Fort Garland.

Dignitaries attending the ceremony included, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, Colorado State Senator Gail Schwartz, and Colorado HD 62 Representative Raphael Gallegos, Costilla County Commissioners Edward Vigil and Joseph Gallegos.

Father Patrick Valdez led the ceremony with the opening prayer and blessing. The veterans of the Legion and VFW marched to the Flagpole area led by the Adjutant General’s Mounted Color Guard of the Colorado National Guard. Members of VFW Post 4849 and American Legion Post 148 joined the members of American Legion Post 142 and VFW Post 6101 of Costilla County in the parade march.

A special plaque was awarded to the family of Joe Martinez, former POW and Bataan March survivor.

All speakers thanked all veterans for their sacrifice and service to help provide the freedom we all experience. “Freedom is not Free” was the common phrase used.

A ceremony acknowledging the names of veterans buried in all the county ceremonies was held as different readers announced the names of veterans buried in each cemetery. A bell was rung three times after names found in each cemetery were read.

Taps was played with the flags at half staff, honoring KIA’s, MIA’s and POW’s that have not returned to their country.

After the unveiling of the Memorial Stone, people searched for the names of their loved ones and took photos of their names. Two more memorial stones have been purchase and will be installed at a future date and names of veterans that were not on the initial monument will be added at that time.

American Legion Commander Juan Trujillo was very instrumental in leading the planning and execution of this great celebration. Other members of the Legion worked diligently in collecting donations for the monument stone, landscaping and preparing the base for the monument stone. “