Questa native and former U.S. Army Corporal Claudio Rael was honored on July 24 by the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services (DVS) for his role in honoring veterans for their service, long after his service ended.

DVS Cabinet Secretary Jamison Herrera presented a plaque, a DVS Cabinet Secretary coin, and a state flag to former U.S. Army Corporal Claudio Rael at the conclusion of the agency’s annual all-staff training conference on July 24.

The Korean War veteran, who turned 96 years old on July 26, plays a prominent role in hosting a unique Memorial Day display on his land in Questa. For the past two decades, Rael and his family have graciously allowed the use of a large plot of family-owned land for the placement of 1,000 eight-foot-tall American flags in honor of the service and sacrifice of U.S. service members—and especially, our nation’s fallen veterans. The five-day-long holiday display has drawn thousands of people to see and pay their respects every single year.

“For him to want to continue to serve and honor his fellow veterans speaks volumes about veterans helping veterans—ensuring that there is still a voice for those who are no longer with us,” said Secretary Herrera. “We here at DVS, and the rest of New Mexico, truly value you as one of our great citizens and heroes.”

Rael, who spent the bulk of his post-service life as a rancher and employee of the fomer Molycorp mining facility in Questa, was clearly moved. He managed to whisper, “thank you very much,” before being honored with a lengthy standing ovation by DVS staff and his friends and family.