Veteran’s Services Field Office Opens in Cibola County
CIBOLA COUNTY Its one step closer, said Cibola County military veteran Richard Jones. Its that simple. We are one step closer in getting services.
Jones joined Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and nearly 200 people yesterday, many of them being military veterans, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Veterans Services Field Office at 700 Roosevelt Ave. in Grants. The new office will serve as one of seventeen field offices located throughout the state that provide local assistance to veterans and their families in applying for and receiving veterans benefits.
The beginning of a new era in Grants, Sanchez said, in opening his speech at the ceremony. Today forward, veterans of Cibola County will get the help they need right here in Grants.
Even though the office will primarily serve area veterans with consultation and assistance in their paperwork for benefits and such, many are excited because they no longer have to travel to Gallup or Albuquerque for some basic services.
Together, we will provide the services for our veterans, said Sanchez. There is not another place in New Mexico Id rather be at this moment. Thank you, and especially, thank you to the veterans.
Secretary of Department of Veterans Services Timothy Hale opened the ceremony by saying, It is a great day in Cibola County.
He added, There are 170,000 veterans in New Mexico, about 2,700 from Cibola County. That is 10-11 percent of the total population. Other states in America, on average, have one percent veterans. Thankfully, right here in New Mexico and Cibola County, we have many of those who are willing to serve.
Immanuel Baptist Church Garland Moore opened the ceremony with a prayer.
Also attending the ceremony was State leader of the Legion Riders, Ted Espinoza. He was joined in support of the ceremony by many of the areas Riders.
Hale introduced the manager of the new Office Tyrra Saavedra.
Saavedra comes from a family with a long history of military service. Her father Alfredo is an Army veteran who served in the Gulf War and also attended the ceremony. An uncle, Johnny Saavedra, is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. One of her grandfathersIsidoro Bermudezwas an Army veteran who served in World War II. Her other grandfather, Elias Saavedra, was a member of the New Mexico National Guards famed 200th/515th Coast Artillery Unit and Bataan Death March survivor of World War II who passed away three months ago.
At the ceremony, Saavedra said, We are family I am here to help you. If I dont have the answer, I will call one of these guys (pointing to the State officials Veterans Service officials) to get the answer.
Saavedra comes from the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Prior to working for the state of New Mexico, the Cibola County nativewho grew up in San Rafaelserved three years with the U.S. Navy as an Electricians Mate aboard the ammunition ship U.S.S. Mount Hood.
Also attending the ceremony were many elected officials including Sen. Clemente Sanchez, Rep. Eliseo Alcon, and County Commission Chairman Eddie Michael. It was noted at the event that Michael was instrumental in getting the Field Office in Grants.
Call Saavedra at 287-VETS (8387) for more information about the new Veterans Services Field Office in Grants. Or, email her at [email protected].
Tags: Veterans News
