Memorial 'Is a Legacy That Will Go on'

More than 100 people gathered at All Veterans Memorial Park in Berg Park on Saturday to witness the unveiling and dedication of the Medal of Honor Memorial.

The new memorial is dedicated to three northwest New Mexico residents, Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth Lee Worley, U.S. Army Pfc. Jose F. Valdez and Staff Sgt. Franklin D. Miller, who received the Medal of Honor for their heroic acts during war.

The dedication also was a day to honor all Soldiers who gave their lives and the families they left behind.

For Dahaana Baadaani, cousin of Sgt. Troy Tom who died in Afghanistan, the ceremony offered a chance to find closure.

"He was a hero to us and his name will be always on top for us," said Baadaani, who was able to find solace among family members of other fallen Soldiers at the dedication.

Farmington Mayor Bill Standley officiated the dedication underneath the rustling leaves amid the backdrop of the Animas River.

"(The memorial) is a legacy that will go on," he said. "It is encased deep in concrete and will stand the test of time and the test of nature."

The memorial, which cost more than $26,000, comes after a ground breaking during Memorial Day weekend.

The city and San Juan County contributed $10,000 a piece for the memorial. Another $3,500 in private donations was contributed.

"The contribution San Juan County made can't compare to the sacrifice our Soldiers make every day to this great nation," said County Commissioner Chairman

James Henderson, who remembered the recent tragedy in Fort Hood, Texas.

Navajo medicine man, Francis Mitchell, blessed the memorial.

Members of the Blue Star Mothers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 614 and 2182, Marine Corps League and the Farmington National Guard were present.

Relatives and friends of fallen Soldiers also attended, including members of the Valdez family.

"He was very special man and not only a hero in our family but he is a role model," said Sharon Trujillo, a relative of Valdez.

Valdez, born and raised near Gobernador, died Jan. 25, 1945, after preventing 200 Germans from entering the town of Rosenkrantz, France, and allowing five of his Army comrades to return to American lines in World War II.

His legacy made a mark on the family he left behind, said Lino Martinez, who grew up with Valdez.

Worley, who was born in Farmington on April 27, 1948, died Aug. 12, 1968, when he threw himself on a grenade saving five of his comrades.

Leo McCann, Marine Corps League representative for the state, announced that a U.S. Navy vessel will be commissioned in Worley's name.

Miller, born in North Carolina on Jan. 27, 1945, risked his life in Vietnam when he treated four Soldiers wounded in an explosion. He single-handedly defended the Soldiers from several attacks. He died from cancer at age 55 on June 30, 2000.

National Guard Maj. Xavier Miller reminded the crowd to be thankful of the many heroes that followed Worley, Valdez and Miller.

"We have heroes that continue to give their lives," he said, reading the names of five local Soldiers who died recently, including Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook, National Guard Sgt. Marshall Westbrook and Sgt. Troy Tom of Beclabito.

The memorial is for all Soldiers who died and continue to die defending our country, as well as those who must pick up the shattered pieces and keep their memory alive, Miller said.

A ribbon cutting was followed by a 21-gun salute as Taps was played on the bugle.

More than 100 red, white and blue balloons, released by attendees, floated gracefully between the trees up into the blue sky and brought the ceremony to a close.

Baadaani was the last to let go of his balloon.

It was a fitting goodbye, since Tom was one of the latest heroes to die, Baadaani said.

"I felt really nice about it and really proud of him. His name will never be forgotten."