Moriarty Community Unites to Honor Veterans at Monument Observance

MORIARTY, NM—The Moriarty community gathered at the local Veterans Monument today for a heartfelt and well-attended observance, paying tribute to all those who have served the nation. The ceremony, led by VFW Post 3370 Commander Joe Gaiter and his team, highlighted the deep support for veterans in the East Mountains region, featuring patriotic music, prayer, and updates on the monument’s continued development.

The solemn event began with the Presentation of the Colors by 1SG (Ret) Paul Crow and the Moriarty High School Army JROTC and a moving rendition of the National Anthem, during which attendees were asked to stand in tribute. Commander Gaiter, a veteran of 30 years, welcomed the “outstanding show up” and immediately recognized the true distinguished guests: the veterans themselves.

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Civic Leaders and Future Generations

The ceremony saw participation from several key local figures, including Mayor Steve Anaya, Moriarty City Council members Ryan Swan and Linda Helmick, Post Sr. Commander and Magistrate Judge Craig Davis, and School Superintendent Todd Bibiano.

A central moment was the appearance of young Isaac Chavez from Estancia Middle School, who read a detailed account of the significance of Veterans Day. Chavez recounted that the observance originated as Armistice Day in 1918 to mark the end of World War I, and was renamed in 1954 to honor all who served in America’s wars and defended democracy.

“The defense of freedom is not just for those in the military,” Isaac asserted. “Each of us shares that duty and that responsibility… by simply maintaining it here in America, for example, by voting in elections or speaking out against injustices.” His message of civic duty was met with strong applause, with Commander Gaiter praising the youth as “our future.”

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A Nod to D-Day and Spousal Sacrifice

Magistrate Judge and 23-year veteran Craig Davis took the stage to acknowledge the often-overlooked veterans’ spouses and family members, asking them to stand for recognition.

Davis then read a powerful historical document: General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Order of the Day addressed to the Allied Expeditionary Force on the eve of the D-Day invasion in 1944. The words—which spoke of a “great crusade,” the destruction of Nazi tyranny, and the turning of the tide—provided a sobering reminder of the high stakes involved in defending freedom.

Commander Gaiter later echoed this sentiment, personally recognizing his wife of 51 years and all spouses. “I spent 30 years in the military… I didn’t raise [my kids], my wife raised them. I was gone,” he said, offering a sincere salute to the spouses for “taking care of the home front.”

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The Moriarty Monument: A Living Tribute

The ceremony provided an update on the local veteran’s monument, a project Moriarty Fire Chief Todd Hart called a dream over a decade in the making, initially championed by local woman Sherry Anaya. Chief Hart, who chairs the monument committee, explained that the wall is undergoing construction to meet DOD specifications.

He thanked the committee members, including Commander Gaiter, First Sergeant Paul Crow, Deputy Chief Carlos Anaya, and prominent local fundraiser Chad Hamilton. Chief Hart confirmed that the monument is a collaborative effort, supported by the City of Moriarty, Deputy Chief Carlos Anaya, the Town of Estancia, and numerous local businesses and individuals.

“In the next hopefully within the next two months, you’ll see 69 new names put on this monument to honor the veterans,” Chief Hart announced. He also noted that the contractor is waiting for the official Space Force seal to complete the service emblems on the wall, ensuring the inclusion of the newest military branch. The monument seeks to honor any veteran who grew up in the Moriarty area or has lived there for 20-plus years.

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to the VFW Post 3370 down the road for coffee, cake, and music, celebrating the post’s strong record of success, having achieved All-American status for two years in a row and All-State for three. The VFW’s chaplain, Mike Haynes, offered a closing prayer, encouraging the community to live honorably and to always ask for divine permission before seeking forgiveness.

Monument Update

According to Chad Hamilton, $27,000 has been gathered from surrounding counties and through private donations. In a couple of months an etcher and his etching machine will be escorted by the Patriot Guard, a volunteer organization founded in 2005 that honors military and first responders.

Hamilton never served in the military, but both his deceased son and father were in the armed services. What started out as project to get his son on the wall made Hamilton realize there were close to 100 veterans who belonged there, too. It led Hamilton to spearhead the project honoring local veterans and soon everyone will see the fruits of his labor.