Questa and Red River experienced favorable weather for their respective Memorial Day weekends. Questa honored fallen soldiers at its 20th annual Healing Fields event.

United States Senator Ben Ray Lujan attended Questa’s Healing Fields on May 26 and spoke about the respect owed to those who sacrificed their lives for American liberties.

“On this solemn day our nation honors the courageous men and women who died in their service defending our country and for the freedoms that each of us enjoys today,” said the US Senator.

Other speakers at the Healing Fields ceremony included retired Colonel Donnie Quintana, of Pecos, (NM National Guard), now Secretary of the NM Department of Veterans Services, and 1st Sergeant Ronald Gallegos, of Questa, (US Marine Corps, NM National Guard, and US Army Reserve) a Purple Heart recipient.

WATCH: Stories of Valor: Ron Gallegos (National Purple Heart Honor Mission) https://www.purpleheartmission.org/stories-of-valor/us-marine-corps-1sg-ron-gallegos-iraq

Mayor John Ortega also recognized one military veteran in the audience, a 105-year-old veteran of World War II, retired Sergeant Valdemar DeHerrera (NM National Guard). A native of Costilla, DeHerrera saw combat in the 1942 Battle of Bataan, escaping the infamous death march while still suffering as a prisoner of war for three years and seven months until liberation in 1945; he is the last surviving NM veteran of World War II.

Village of Questa Councilor Louise Gallegos organized the Healing Fields with the help of volunteers.

WATCH: Questa del Rio News (QDRN) recording of the VoQ Healing Fields ceremony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecXxg57dgA