Saturday, July 4, 2009

Udall honors veterans, on hand for Fred Luna Senior Center dedication

Melissa Hubbell News-Bulletin Staff Reporter; mhubbell@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas Tuesday was a special day at the Fred Luna Senior Center as dancing, music and food ensued in recognition of our veterans, and in celebration of the senior center's brand new building addition.

"I feel very well about this," said Fred Luna, a former state representative, school board member and longtime resident of Los Lunas. "I think the seniors needed it. Look at how happy they are."

Although Luna expressed happiness with the addition at the center, he said a lot could still be done for other senior centers.

"There's quite a bit that can still be done all over the county," he said.

More than 200 seniors and guests from Los Lunas and around the county attended the Fourth of July Celebration. Joined by U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the celebration's keynote speaker, the group celebrated the addition of a large dining and bingo hall and patio complete with tables and umbrellas for shade.

"This is the first time in eight years (we've received funding). The last eight years they tried to cut out our money, but with these guys in there, they're giving it to us," said Program Director of the Valencia County Older Americans Program Joseph Campos.

The Older Americans Program has four senior centers throughout the County including the Fred Luna Senior Center, the Meadow Lake Senior Center, the Bosque Farms Senior Center and the Del Rio Senior Center in Rio Communities.

Campos said the Fred Luna Center was given a $340,000 appropriation for renovations. Fifty to 60 seniors usually visit the senior center in Los Lunas every day. The renovation took exactly 90 days to complete. The centers in Belen and Rio Communities were also given $250,000.

According to Tony Aranada with Molzen/Cobin Architects, the money will contribute to a kitchen renovation and new food service equipment. Aranada said the Del Rio kitchen is the main kitchen for all four centers in Valencia County. The Meadow Lake Center also received a $100,000 appropriation.

Udall said it was important for him to be a part of Tuesday's celebration and dedication because he has known Luna for a long time. Udall said both he, and his wife, worked with Luna during his time as a state representative in Santa Fe.

Tuesday was also a special day, Udall said, because it was a time to honor veterans.

More than 25 local veterans were present at the celebration, dressed in military garb from the past.

"We never forget they fought for us and protected our freedom. They are special people in the community," Udall said.

One veteran, in particular, and perhaps the oldest veteran at the dedication, was Jose Chavez, a Word War II veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March. Chavez is the sole living survivor of the Bataan March from Valencia County.

"Ninety-one years old, there are not many survivors alive, and not many have lasted to his age," Udall said. "He reminds us what this country is about — freedom — the only reason we have that is because of those veterans."

Udall mentioned that an updated policy states that new veterans returning from duty will be granted a full college education. Veterans who returned from WWII were granted this right for their service, but Udall said unfortunately, this benefit for veterans has gone down with time. He said he wants to give current veterans the same privileges as older generations.

"Fred Luna has been an incredible public servant for this area," said Udall. "It's a very appropriate thing to have this (building) called the Fred Luna Center."

Other guests at the celebration included Sen. Michael Sanchez, Rep. Elias Barela, Rep. Andrew Barreras, Sen. Eric Griego, Secretary of State Mary Herrera and Los Lunas Mayor Robert Vialpando.

The new dance and recreation hall and patio was packed Tuesday morning, as seniors and guests crowded in to eat and dance to music by local band, Suerte, and mariachi singer Mayela. From the wall-to-wall dancing, the consensus of the new addition seemed positive.

"That's all we've been hearing," Campos said. "They (the seniors) are so happy."

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version