Restoration of the WWII anti-aircraft gun in Los Lunas is underway

About a year ago, the Valencia County Historical Society commissioned the Los Lunas Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 to restore the WWII M1A2 90mm anti-aircraft gun monument.

This historic monument has existed since March 1959 and is located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Luna Avenue — also known as Solomon Luna Park — in Los Lunas. It was established by members of the Los Lunas American Legion Post 85.

Even though some of the required labor has been donated, the effort and resources to restore this monument by members of VFW Post 9676 have been significant. This monument is featured in local author and historians, John Taylor and the late Jim Sloan’s book titled “History Surrounds Us — More Tales of the Rio Abajo.”

You can also learn the history of this monument by reading a Nov. 10, 2022, Valencia County News-Bulletin article titled The Los Lunas Anti-aircraft gun.

Chase Sutfin, owner of I and C Kitchen Hood Cleaning LLC, the company who has been hired to clean the military gun, said “we are honored to be able to support this restoration project.”

Viking, LLC contractor, Rodney Morton, and his wife, Barbara Lovato, donated their time painting the gun and helping post members on Aug. 30.

Post members also painted the plaque-stand, where a new plaque will be installed.

The remaining work to be performed includes resurfacing the concrete pad with AstroTurf installation of the new plaque (donated by Noblin Funeral Service) and construction of a security/vandalism fence around the gun. The labor for the installation of the AstroTurf will be donated by owners of CG’s Concrete Inc., Christian Garcia Sr. and his son, Christian Garcia Jr.

The labor for installation of the new plaque and construction of the security/vandalism fence will be donated by VFW project chairman and owner of Ray’s Fire Extinguishers, Raymond Sanchez and his wife, Shirley.

VFW post members plan to complete this historic monument restoration project by the end of September and to join the VCHS in a re-dedication ceremony in the first week of October. The public will be invited to attend the re-dedication ceremony and a reception at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts, across the street from the monument.

Anyone interested in financially supporting the completion of this project and its re-dedication can visit VFW Post 9676’s website, vfw9676.org, to make a donation.