Veterans honored on Flag Day in Santa Fe

Veterans honored on Flag Day

Two deceased veterans will be honored at Saturday's Flag Day ceremony in Santa Fe.

The family of the late U.S. Army Sergeant Enrique Valdez of Santa Fe will be presented with a special commemorative flag in recognition of his name finally being placed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Valdez's name was the only name added to the wall at last month's Memorial Day ceremony.

The widow and daughter of former U.S. Marine Corporal Paul H. Clum will be presented with a Purple Heart Award and other medals that he never received from his service in World War II.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the New Mexico Veterans Services Memorial Monument, located on the northwest corner of the Bataan Memorial Building at the intersection of Galisteo and Montezuma streets.

The Flag Day ceremony is sponsored by the Santa Fe Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars, the New Mexico National Guard and the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services.

Veteran Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia will deliver the keynote address and present the flag and medals to the two families.

The public is invited to attend the free ceremony. Everyone is encouraged to bring an American flag, church flag, Scout or other service flag for a "pep rally" to honor the American flag and all those who've served their country.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Local-news-in-brief--June-11--2009