WOUNDED WARRIER PROJECT

 State Legislators to be Honored at Capitol Ceremony

Albuquerque Woman who Raised $350K for Injured Soldiers; Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient to Also be Honored

Date/Time:  February 3, 2010 (12noon)

Location: State Capitol Rotunda, Santa Fe

(SANTA FE, NM)—Honoring New Mexico’s State Legislators is the theme for Military and Veterans’ Day at the State Legislature on February 3^rd during the Legislative Session at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

At a special noon ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS) will thank all 112 legislators for their work in legislative sessions on behalf of the state’s 180,000 veterans. NMDVS Cabinet Secretary John Garcia will also acknowledge the 24 legislators (7 in the Senate, 17 in the House of Representatives) who served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Military and Veterans’ Day at the State Legislature is an annual day during the New Mexico Legislative Session to give veterans an opportunity to meet with their state legislators and discuss veterans’ issues. All veterans are strongly encouraged to stop by during the day and voice their concerns.

New Mexico is recognized nationally as providing some of the most innovative and comprehensive state veterans’ benefits and services in the nation.

“Many states use us a model for how to serve veterans,” said NMDVS Secretary Garcia.  “Veterans here in New Mexico are fortunate to have a dedicated group of lawmakers working on their behalf in the legislature, so we would like to show our appreciation for their tireless work.”

Albuquerque Mom Who Raised $350K for Wounded Soldiers to Also be Honored

At the ceremony, the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will also honor Terrie Krueger of Albuquerque. The mother of two active-duty Naval Officers raised $350,000 in a grass-roots effort--mostly in the Albuquerque Metro area—for injured soldiers and veterans.

Krueger chose the Wounded Warrior Project as the recipient of her effort, and presented a check for that amount to organization officials at a special halftime ceremony of the nationally-televised Army-Navy college football game last December 12^th. She became inspired to raise the money after watching last year’s ceremony, where a major corporation presented a check for $25,000. An incredulous Krueger thought she could do better.

The Wounded Warriors Project is a national organization which seeks to honor, empower, raise public awareness, and serve as a national advocate for wounded soldiers. 

Alejandro Ruiz to also be Honored

The NMDVS will also MSGT. Alejandro Ruiz, who as a Pfc. was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in saving his squad from enemy attack on Okinawa in World War II. Ruiz recently passed away at the Yountville Veterans’ home in California. He was 86 years old. Surviving family members have been invited to the ceremony, where the NMDVS will present them with a state flag and an official Letter of Condolence from the state.

Ruiz is one of twelve Medal of Honor recipients from New Mexico. The award is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States^.