Author: MilitaryFamilyMuseum

Since 2017, MAMF has hosted and coordinated the New Mexico leg of the Midway Route for Run for the Wall. We are honored to be a part of this annual event. This year marked the 30th anniversary.

–Allen Dale Olson

Albuquerque, N.M. — Over 1600 motorcycle riders traveling on three separate “Routes” will be passing through New Mexico on May 17 and 18, 2018, as part of the annual Run for the Wall (RFTW) event.

Started in 1989 by Vietnam Veterans James Gregory and Bill Evans, this year’s event will have thousands of motorcyclists crossing the country, gathering more riders along the way, while visiting various communities and VA facilities as the riders make their way to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend.

“For 30 years, the Run has brought together people from diverse backgrounds to form an instant community. Strangers become friends and lifetime bonds are formed,” says Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Executive Director of the Museum of the American Military Family & Learning Center. “We are proud to support the Run For the Wall mission.”

Woessner is the New Mexico coordinator for the RFTW Midway Route. The Midway Route will have almost 400 riders as it passes through New Mexico. Duke City Harley Davidson will serve as a fuel sponsor for one leg of the New Mexico ride, and will host a dinner for the riders at their dealership on May 17. Rich Ford on Lomas and Wyoming will provide a hearty New Mexico breakfast for the group on May 18.

“Rich Ford is a proud supporter of the men and women who serve our country and help preserve our way of life,” says Dennis Snyder, President, Rich Ford.

Many New Mexico service organizations from across the state, including the Veterans Canteen Service, will contribute food or fuel. Volunteers in Grants and Santa Rosa will prepare lunches for the group. Other stops in New Mexico for Midway will include Milan Elementary School, the Moriarty Veterans Memorial, and the Santa Rosa Convention Center.

Run For The Wall’s mission is to promote healing among all veterans, their families and friends; to call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA); to honor the memory of those killed in action (KIA) from all wars, and to support U.S. military personnel around the world.

East Mountain residents are encouraged to line the street in Moriarty and show their support to the riders as they pass through Moriarty on May 18^th around 9:00 am. (Times are approximate, and dependent on traffic and weather.)

Ambassadors from the group will visit the Museum of the American Military Family on May 18. The museum is located at 546 New Mexico Highway 333 (aka Route 66) in Tijeras.

For more information, please contact Dr. Circe Olson Woessner at (505) 504-6830

 

 

by Circe Olson Woessner

Recently, several former DoDDS teachers came to visit the Museum of the American Military Family (MAMF). They had such a great time going through it, pouring through our yearbook collection, admiring the artifacts collected by fellow teacher Dorothy Cox, and swapping stories of their own years of teaching at various schools around the world.

Since having moved to Albuquerque, I’ve run into several DoDDs teachers who live here. One of them, Betty Follett suggested there must be more living in the state.

She says, “I’d like to find teachers, aides, students–anyone connected to DoDDS in New Mexico who might want to get together once in a while to share our experiences overseas.”

I thought that it would be great to host the first get-together in the Museum’s garden on April 28, 2018 from 1:00-3:00. Light refreshments will be served.

MAMF is located at 546B State Route 333 (Old Route 66), right next to Molly’s Bar, in Tijeras.

Please RSVP to Betty Suva Barron Follett  at (505) 565-2451

 

 

The Museum of the American Military Family & Learning Center and the Rio Grande Credit Union have partnered together to host a workshop: “Discovering the Self Through Self Portraits”. This workshop for veterans and military families will be facilitated by Santa Fe artist Amy Stein.

This innovative class helps participants find their inner-artist/self, with an exciting and eye-opening step-by-step approach to drawing portraits. Using a combination of drawing skills, visualization, and guided imagery, participants reach deep parts of themselves previously unavailable, and create striking and meaningful works of art.

The portraits will be on display in April at the museum, located at 546B state highway 333, Tijeras.

Our Museum sponsors the riders on the Midway Route. We strive to provide meals, fuel and comfort items for the riders clear across New Mexico. If you’d like to help out, please send donations to:

MAMF

PO Box 5085

Albuquerque, NM 87185

Make checks out to MAMF, but write RFTW on the “for” line. Thank you for supporting this patriotic cause.