When we went to the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, we noticed the Veterans Park right next to it, but we didn’t have any time to do more than glance at it. We finally got a chance to go back and spend some more time there.
Bataan-Corregidor memorial
This is a truly sad story. In January 1941, the New Mexico National Guard was inducted into federal service and trained at Fort Bliss as the 200th Coast Artillery. In September 1941, the 200th was sent to the Phillippines, 3 months before the attack at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In April 1942, the Americans in the Phillippines surrendered to the Japanese and endured the atrocities of the Bataan Death March. In 1945, after 40 months of torture, the prisoners of war were liberated. Approximately 900 of the 1800 New Mexico National Guardsmen did not come back from the Phillippines – they gave their lives for our country.
World War I, World War II, and Korea Memorial
The Oldtimers Association of Luna County dedicated this memorial to all who served in these three conflicts on November 11, 2000.
New Mexico Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial
The New Mexico Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW dedicated this memorial to all the men and women who have sacrificed for their country. Plaques on this memorial represented 5 branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Also, there were two plaques on the side panels, one for the VFW, and one for the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW.
Arbor Day tree courtesy of Deming Garden Club and Porter House Nursery
On Arbor Day 2003, a tree was planted by the Deming Garden Club and Porter House Nursery to honor the veterans who put themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedom.
Persian Gulf Crisis (Desert Storm)
This memorial was dedicated by the Yellow Ribbon Support Group in 1992 to all those who served our country during Desert Storm.
Vietname War memorial
This memorial includes three pieces: a map showing the country of Vietnam with important place names, a small plaque, and a large memorial with the conflict ribbon and another outline of the country map.
World War II (Pearl Harbor)
The last memorial is a World War II memorial dedicated to those who lost their life at Pearl Harbor, and also the survivors of Pearl Harbor by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association of Southern New Mexico.
It is well worth the stop at Veterans Park.
