Re-dedication & refurbishing of anti-aircraft gun in Los Lunas

LOS LUNAS — After more than six decades, a veterans memorial dating back to World War II has gotten a face lift thanks to a local VFW post and numerous community volunteers.

The inoperable 90mm M1A1 anti-aircraft gun was installed on the southeast corner of Luna Avenue and Main Street in the village of Los Lunas in 1959, “in memory of the veterans of all wars...” It was one of 11 such guns donated to municipalities across the state by the New Mexico National Guard in 1959.

Since then, the drab, olive-green colored gun has sat quietly and for the most part unremarked. That is until the Valencia County Historical Society reached out to Los Lunas Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 last year, asking if the post would be interesting in helping to restore the gun and monument.

The project included replacing steel plates on the gun, replacing the commemorative plaque, resurfacing the concrete pad under the gun with artificial turf and “a lot of sandpaper and elbow grease,” said Chet Pino, Los Lunas Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 post commander.

When it was all said and done, the gun and monument have been brought back to life and a re-dedication ceremony was held on Saturday, Oct. 4, honoring all who have served.

Seeing the restored monument brought back childhood memories, said Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego.

“Memories and a reminder of the commitment made to all who served,” Griego said. “Thank you to Post 9676 and all who worked on this. Thank you for caring for the memories of Los Lunas.”

The small grassy area where the monument sits is called Solomon Luna Park and is part of the Los Lunas Schools property.

During Saturday’s ceremony, Susan Chavez, Los Lunas Schools superintendent, said her family has a significant history of military service, including both her grandfathers and great uncles, her uncle and father-in-law.

“Preserving this means so much to so many,” Chavez said. “Thank you for bringing it back to life.”

In a proclamation passed by the Los Lunas Village Council, the monument was re-dedicated as the Los Lunas Schools Veterans Memorial.

When local author and Valencia County Historical Society President John Taylor reached out to VFW Post 9676 about the restoration project, post Quartermaster Jack Lovato Jr. knew they would answer the call, especially him.

His father, Jack Lovato, was the vice-commander of American Legion Post 85 when the National Guard offered the gun and he accepted the monument on behalf of the village and school district.

“He was directly involved in establishing the monument in 1959 and played a significant role in bringing the monument to life,” Lovato Jr. said Saturday.

The nine-ton gun was installed on a concrete slab provided by the American Legion Post 85. The installation originally included a flagpole and a plaque, and the entire display was fenced.

“I ask those who walk or drive by the monument to see it not as an implement of war but rather a memorial that honors all veterans who have taken a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies..,” Lovato Jr. said. “This is to honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans.”

He was the co-chairman of the memorial restoration committee, working hand-in-hand with Raymond Sanchez on the months-long project.

Memorials to veterans and the wars they fought in are common sites across the U.S. and Europe, Taylor said. So common they often become part of the everyday landscape and their significance diminishes.

“This installation is dedicated to all who served their country in war and in peace,” Taylor said. “These memorials represent our collective memories of times that are important. How soon new crises arise and life intrudes but the passing of time doesn’t lessen the importance of the people and events these memorials were installed for.”

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