Mayor Pro-Tem Mary McClure and American Legion member Tommy Garcia hold the veteran’s memorial wall tape while Center Trustee Adeline Sanchez cuts the ribbon. 

CENTER — Center residents and veterans were on hand Monday to attend the dedication of the Veterans Wall Memorial at Casa Blanca Park Nov. 11, Veterans Day, at 11 a.m. Center town administrator Brian Lujan pointed out the wall ceremony was scheduled for November, the 11th month; the 11th day, Veterans Day; at the eleventh hour, 11 a.m.
The granite wall was completed this summer by Valley Monument in Monte Vista, owned by John Glass. It is especially hoped by the town that local veterans and the families of veterans named on the wall who have since passed away will attend the ceremony.
The ceremony began with the flag raising by American Legion members, the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Glass, his assistant Stephen Velasquez and Eddie Tafoya, who designed and built the wall were honored at the ceremony with plaques from the town presented by Lujan. The town of Center thanked Saguache County, the American Legion, Velasquez, Glass and Tafoya for making the monument a reality.
Mayor Herman Sisneros and American Legion representative Tommy Garcia read the names of 81 veterans who will eventually be listed on the wall. Not all names have been etched into the wall’s surface yet, but the rest will be added in the spring, a town hall representative said. Sisneros also gave a brief construction history of the wall, which was first proposed in 2012.
State Senator Larry Crowder, a Vietnam veteran, delivered the dedication address, telling the townspeople and veterans that the monument was a “great” accomplishment and tribute to veterans. He called veterans “a special group of Americans — without them we wouldn’t have a country.”
He reminded Americans of the sacrifices veterans make, such as loss of time with their families, service performed in extreme weather conditions, injuries incurred during service and the ultimate sacrifice — lives lost defending their country. Only 1 percent of the population currently serve in the armed forces and only 10 percent have served over the years, he commented.
Although there is a Utopian belief that war should not exist, Crowder said, terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and Isis are still determined to topple this country, which is why our military exists. He called the military a tool that should be used only when “all negotiations are exhausted.”
“I’m far prouder to wear this uniform than to be a State Senator,” Crowder said in closing. He asked those present to always acknowledge and appreciate veterans and thanked them for inviting him. The ceremony closed with the cutting of the ribbon to officially dedicate the monument.