Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 honors locals

Clara Garcia
Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Editor
Published Modified

LOS LUNAS—Two excellent teachers, two generous volunteers, a staunch community advocate and a local fire department were recently recognized by the Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 in Los Lunas.

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Gabriel Barela, social media coordinator for VFW Post 9676, hands the Teacher of the Year awards to John P. Gabaldon, a math and engineering teacher at Los Lunas High School.
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Victoria Nielsen, a fourth-grade teacher at Los Lunas Elementary School was awarded the Elementary Teacher of the Year award.

Comm. Chet Pino said Los Lunas High School math and science teacher John P. Gabaldon is being recognized for promoting citizenship education in the classroom and being a visionary educator whose unwavering dedication to student success.

“John prepares students not just for careers, but lives of purpose, service and leadership,” Pino said.

The second teacher recognized was Victoria Nielsen, a fourth-grade teacher at Los Lunas Elementary. Pino said she is a passionate educator, dedicated to instilling civic responsibility, historical awareness and patriotic values in her students.

“She brings American history to life in ways that are both engaging and impactful,” Pino said of Nielsen.

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Jack Lovato, Quartermaster, VFW Post 9676, recognizes Rodney Morton, owner of Viking, LLC, and Dr. Barbara Lovato for their help in restoring the WWII M1A2 90mm anti-aircraft gun located at the Los Lunas Schools Veterans Memorial on the corner of Main Street and Luna Avenue.

Rodney Morton, of Viking, LLC, and Dr. Barbara Lovato were both recognized for helping the VFW in their efforts and programs. Morton was given a certificate of appreciation for painting the World War II anti-aircraft gun at the Los Lunas Schools Veteran Memorial. Lovato was recognized for judging the posts’ Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competition.

Vivian Torres, the administrative assistant with the Los Lunas Fire Department, received the posts’ Public Service Award for her “exceptional dedication, professionalism and commitment to public service.”

Having previously been named Firefighter of the Month, Pino said Torres, who has worked at the LLFD for 19 years, has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the community as the coordinator of the annual food box distribution to Valencia County residents during the holiday season.

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Vivian Torrez, second from right, administrative assistant for the Los Lunas Fire Department, was presented with the Public Service Award. Pictured, from left, are VFW Post 9676 Commander Chet Pino, LLFD Deputy Chief Tommy Madrid, Vivian Torres and her husband, Julian.

Each award recipient was also given a $200 check for their accomplishments.

A proclamation by Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego was read, which named Nov. 12, 2025, as Vivian Torrez — Los Lunas Day.

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VFW Post 9676 Commander Chet Pino, left, hands Los Lunas Fire Deputy Chief Tommy Madrid a check for $1,200 to help buy food for the department’s annual holiday baskets they give to residents.

The Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 also gave a certificate of appreciation and a check for $1,200, which they saved $100 a month for a year, to help the department buy what they need for the holiday boxes.

LLFD Deputy Chief Tommy Madrid said the firefighters have been using their own personal funds every year to buy what’s needed for the food boxes.

He also said Torrez is a valuable part of the department, saying she is the “backbone of operations.”

chet pino rodney morton vivian torrez los lunas schools veterans memorial los lunas high school los lunas fire deputy chief tommy madrid los lunas fire department los lunas elementary school llc john p. gabaldon jack lovato gabriel barela features dr. barbara lovato daniel d. fernandez vfw post 9676 victoria nielsen viking
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