Memorial Day Ceremonies Canceled at Three New Mexico Sites
The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor
Judy M. Griego
Cabinet Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services
(505) 827-6352-office
(505) 362-6089-mobile
Memorial Day Ceremonies Canceled at 3 Sites
State-run veterans’ cemeteries to remain open
SANTA FE – The Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has canceled Memorial Day ceremonies at three of its sites due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.
The canceled ceremonies were to be held May 25 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Angel Fire, the Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery, and the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.
The Fort Stanton and Gallup State Veterans cemeteries will be open for normal gravesite visitation during regular 8 a.m.-5 p.m. business hours. Cemetery staff will place miniature American flags at each gravesite on Friday, May 22. On May 25, full-size flags will be flown at half-staff throughout the day. The administrative offices will be closed.
Cemetery staff wearing personal protective equipment will regulate traffic flow to one-way-in, one-way-out, and the cemeteries will be limited to 20 percent capacity at all times to comply with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the New Mexico Department of Health.
Gravesite visitors will be asked to limit group size to no more than five people, and to observe a 6-foot social distancing within the group.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire will remain closed, but American flags will fly at half-staff throughout the day at the memorial and along the road to the facility.
“DVS recognizes the importance of Memorial Day as the day to honor service members who gave their lives while in service to our country, but the safety of DVS staff and the public is of utmost importance,” said DVS Secretary Judy Griego. “I hope veterans and their families understand the reasons behind the implementation of these safety precautions for Memorial Day.”
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Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services
(505) 827-6352-office