Letters to the Editor (June 26, 2025)

Community appreciation

Editor:

On behalf of NMLIVE, Inc., (Los Lunas Invests in Veterans Events), a big thank you goes out to village of Los Lunas, Main Street Muscle & Fitness Center, Salina’s Hot Spot, RAKS Building Supply, Tillery Cars, Terry Fox, Century 21 Champions, Inc., Johnson Chiropractic Clinic, The Color Works, Inc. and all sponsors of the June 7 (13th annual Los Lunas Veterans Memorial Run) & walking event.

We would also like to thank the participants. This non-profit event by NMLIVE, Inc. directs entry fees, contributions and donations directly to various veteran organizations within the village of Los Lunas and Valencia County.

The success of this event was possible with the help of many volunteers from: Overture Andalucia (Albuquerque), Jubilee, Main Street Muscle & Fitness Center, key personnel within the village of Los Lunas, police, fire, parks and recreation departments. A special thank you to the Los Lunas Fire Department, who provided the new ladder fire truck with the suspended American flag.

Thanks also to Valencia County News-Bulletin, Huning Ranch, Jim Rickey, Patrick Anaya, Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676, Printers Press, LaVida Felicidad, Greater Valencia County Chamber of Commerce and Starlight Cinema Theater.

Mayor Charles Griego gave a special welcome to everyone on behalf of the village.

This NMLIVE, Inc. event exceeded one hundred participants and raised over $10,000. NMLIVE, INC supports military veteran organizations of Valencia County, who have served our country and help raise awareness for their continued public support.

We also organize the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony at Daniel D Fernandez Park.

The next 14th annual running event will be Saturday, June 6, 2026 (save the date).

Jim Schnitzler

President

NMLIVE, INC

Scholarship sponsors

Editor:

We would like to thank the following for donating to the Jay Torrez Memorial Scholarship Program: Joe Myers; Matthew and Tanya Romero with 45 Realty, Michael and Lynn Sanchez, Steven Kunkle with State Farm Insurance, Vance and Evelyn Braman, Gerard and Anita Sais, Elias Barela, Rudy Ramirez with Rudy’s Downtown Recycling, Diana Y DeBaca with DYD Enterprise LLC DBA ES UNICO, Paul and Loretta Baca.

Marlena Chavez, Manny Garcia, Miguel and Theresa Hidalgo, Grace Aragon, Amavalise Jaramillo with Law Office of Amavalise Jaramillo, Jane and Terry Murray, Frank Gurule and Cindy Otero, Sharon Cordova, Linda Guenley, Pam Cordova and Mike Melendez

Barbara Romo, Glenda Baca, John and Patti Preston, Pedro Rael and Lydia Piro Rael, retired Capt. Helen Smith, Jeff Aragon, Dominic Gabaldon, Dennis Gabaldon, Gilbert and Beverly Romero, Roberta Cordova, Crystal Cordova and Alexis.

Kim Huynh, Janie Ortega, Archie Romero, Linda Maxwell, Gloria Carasco Chavez, Yvonne and David Hardy, Vicki Otero, Jan Micaletti, Inez Sisneros, Christian Garcia, Norma and Frank Gallegos and Gilbert Aragon.

We would also like to thank the following for their help promoting and supporting the scholarship program: Valencia County News-Bulletin and editor, Clara Garcia, and Belen Consolidated Schools Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez.

This year’s recipients are Maximus Esquibel, Vail Trujillo, Isaiah Vargas, Aaliyah Salazar, Adelina Villanueva, Amelia DeTamble, Matthew Castillo, Julia Barela, Luis Chavez, McKaylee Burt and Natalia Hernandez.

Congratulations, students!

Regina Chavez

and Mary Torrez, MD