ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Bataan memorial is now a reality because of
the hard work, persistence, and cooperation of
many individuals and organizations. The Bataan
Veterans Organization, Albuquerque Chapter never
let the promise of 57 years ago to be forgotten.
Leo Padilla, Agapito Silva, and Ernest Montoya,
survivors of the Bataan Death March and slave
camps in Japan and Manchuria, for many years
have lobbied the City of Albuquerque and some
State legislators for the memorial. They
persevered against many adversities, never
losing site of their dream of having their and
their comrades’ contribution to freedom be
remembered by generations of New Mexicans to
come.
Collen Frenz, manager of Parks and Trail
Management, City of Albuquerque Department of
Parks and Recreation, whose love of country and
respect for the sacrifices made by the soldiers
of New Mexico who fought during WWII and
especially the members of the 200th and 515th
Coast Artillery, decided that the time for the
Memorial has come. David Flores, project
manager, whose earnestness and enthusiasm made
the members of the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial
Foundation believe that the Memorial would be
ready by April 7, 2002. John Casados and his
construction crew for their hard work in
completing the construction on time. Bill
Worthen for finishing the beautiful granite
columns ahead of schedule.
Bill Perkins, landscape architect, always
mindful of the historical significance of the
Memorial. Bill made sure that every design
element in the Memorial was respectful of the
veterans, sensitive to the demands of the
Neighborhood Association, and consistent with
the historic status of Bataan Memorial Park. The
New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office
for insisting that the Memorial make the least
impact on the integrity of the existing Memorial
Park.
The New Mexico State Legislators, Cisco
McSorely, Gail Beam, Shannon Robinson, Danice
Picraux, and William H. Payne who allocated the
money for the improvement of the Bataan Memorial
Park. Tom Rutherford, Bernalillo County
Commissioner, District 3 has been very
supportive of the Memorial from the beginning.
Eric Griegos, Albuquerque City Councilor,
District 5, pledged to help with the dedication
ceremony and designated his very conscientious
and indefatigable assistant, Kelli Austin. Kelli
helped coordinate and secure some of the
logistics for the ceremony.
MaryAnn Saavedra-Jones and Yvette, from the
Hispano Chamber of Commerce, lent their
experience in events planning and facilitated
the hotel and dinner arrangements for the Bataan
veterans and their families. MaryAnn sacrificed
her week-ends and evenings to track down
vendors, secure contracts at the cheapest rate
possible, and recruit the Albuquerque High
School ROTC to assist during the dedication
ceremony. In addition, she also used her own
money to buy ribbons and name plates for the
occasion.
The Board of Directors of the Bataan-Corregidor
Memorial Foundation who never gave up on the
Memorial spent numerous hours lobbying state
legislators for funding, attending public
meetings, and reviewing construction documents
and historical materials. The list of names
would not have been completed on time without
Bernadett Charley Gallegos and Georgianna
Peña-Kues. For months, Bernadett Charley
Gallegos examined numerous military archives and
databases, poured over news articles and
obituaries, and cross-referenced them with the
list compiled by Elmer Long, Jr., and the lists
in Beyond Courage by Dorothy Cave and
It Tolled for New Mexico by Eva Jane Matson.
Georgianna Peña-Kues spent an inordinate amount
of time reviewing the list for accuracy of
spelling, accents, titles and designations.
Andrew Miller, Bataan survivor and historian,
whose knowledge of military history and protocol
always steered us back to the right track and
constantly reminded us to “keep things simple!”
The technological adroitness of Ted Jojola
simplified our data processing. His artistic
ability made the souvenir program look
professionally done. Bill Overmier whose
resourcefulness always found the right person
for tasks needed. Jack W. Bradley, who despite
suffering from a debilitating illness, wrote the
history of the 200th and 515th. Ernest Montoya
for keeping our accounts accurate and
up-to-date. Jack Block for attending endless
planning meetings.
Many individuals dedicated their time and energy
to make the dedication ceremony successful. The
New Mexico National Guard, Adjutant-General
Randall Horn and his staff, Lt. Virginia Garcia
and LtCol. Albert Shrecengost who doggedly
pursued our request for a band, color guard and
firing squad far in advance, and eased the
anxiety of not having a noteworthy dedication
ceremony. TSgt Joseph Gonzales and the 44th Army
National Guard Band for providing the music at
the dedication. Senator Pete Domenici and his
staff assistant, Lisa Breeden, for securing the
fly-over. SMSgt. Patrick Dunn and the Special
Operations Wing from Kirtland Air Force Base for
making the fly-over possible.
Tommy Harris, widow of Bataan veteran and
Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation Board of
Directors member Earl Harris, helped raise funds
and attended all the planning meetings for the
dedication ceremony after her husband passed
away. Dean Harris, in honor of his late father,
donated his time and money to help secure the
needed logistics. Georgianna Peña-Kues tightly
monitored and coordinated the planning
activities, leaving nothing to chance.
The Filipino-American community of Albuquerque
knowing the veterans would be nostalgic for
Filipino food and entertainment took on the
challenge. The Rondalla Maharlika, a
traditional Filipino string ensemble led by
Ernesto Quilban, regaled the veterans and their
families during the April 6th dinner. The
Filipino-American Association of New Mexico, the
Rio Grande Filipino-American Association and the
Samahang Maharlika, for putting their
collective efforts to prepare Filipino
delicacies for the occasion. And special thanks
go to Cora Romillo, Pearl King, Letty Wickham,
Myrna and Rhea Ramirez, Anthony Lagasca, and
Ruth for donating trays of noodles and eggrolls.
Thanks also go to the following: Ron and Editha
Saludo for helping to secure chairs free of
charge from Kirtland Air Force Base; the
Albuquerque High School ROTC and Filipino
American soldiers of the 58th Special Operations
Wing for assisting with things that needed to be
done during the ceremony; Betty and Don
Salisbury and the Samahang Maharlika for
covering and tying ribbons around the columns
and the map of the Philippines, and Hedi Long
for making sure that the spiritual aspect of the
celebration was not left out. To Reverend
Monsignor Leo Lucero for representing Archbishop
Sheehan.
Finally, to countless others who helped in a
small way to make the dedication ceremony
successful. To all of you our most heartfelt
gratitude.
The Following individuals and organizations
opened their pocket books to ensure the success
of the Bataan Memorial dedication:
Dean R. and Cheryl L. Harris
Dessert Eagle Engineering
Rhombus, Inc., Celia Tomlinson,
Pres.
Ta Lin International Market, Inc.
Bernadett Charley Gallegos
Pinoy Express, Myrna Ramirez, Pres.
Ted Jojola and Dely Alcantara
Andrew Miller
Cipriano Ramirez
Jack C. Block
Michael Montoya |
Money Concepts, Teem Suelto, Pres.
PRS2 Group
Georgianna Peña-Kues
Don and Betty Salisbury
Tommy Harris
Betty Baldonado
Wally Byam Caravan Club
Robert E. and Margaret S. Da
George E. Jacobsmeyer
Thelma Pelayo
Robert E. Davis |
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