ENMU to honor local veterans

Eastern New Mexico University is hosting its fourth annual Veterans Day service with a bagpipes player for the first time.

Tutor Coordinator Esthela Banuelos said the Cannon Air Force Base Color Guard is coming to post the colors.

“We picked a speaker to come and talk about the military,” Banuelos said. “This year we have an ENMU alumna, Felicia Lafuente, who is coming to speak about her mother and father, who were both in the military.”

New to the Veterans Day celebration this year is a bagpipes player from Denver.

Banuelos said Professor of History Donald “Doc” Elder is the master of ceremonies.

ENMU President Steven Gamble has prepared a speech to talk about the students who have served their country, and discuss how his father, himself and his son are veterans.

“I am going to emphasize how ENMU students become veterans before they come to Eastern or they leave,” Gamble said. “We have some now that are on active duty with the National Guard, and we are very, very proud of each of them for answering their country’s call.”

Banuelos said she doesn’t know if any survivors from the Bataan Death March will be making the ENMU event due to other things for vets to attend happening in the community.

“It is very difficult with all the events going on,” Banuelos said.