Latest news with #VeteransServices
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Cabinet secretary to run for secretary of state
Sonya Smith made history in 2020 as the first African American to lead the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services. She could do it again as the first African American to serve as New Mexico's secretary of state. The former Cabinet secretary said Tuesday she will be seeking the Democratic nomination to become the state's top election officer, making her the third Democrat to jump into the 2026 race to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who is term-limited. "This is more than just an election opportunity for me," Smith, 58, said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I believe wholeheartedly that I have the skillset, the leadership and the experience to make sure that not only are we protecting our right to vote but that we continue with innovative ways and strategies to keep that integrity intact." Smith, who plans to formally announce her candidacy Thursday in Albuquerque, joins Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin and Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark in seeking the Democratic nomination. So far, no Republicans or candidates from any other party have announced they are entering the race. Although she doesn't have elections administration experience, Smith said she's confident she can do the job. "What I know is that while I may not know everything right now, I have the capacity to learn very quickly," Smith said, adding she's also a good listener. "I know that that is top of mind to people, you know? 'Well, what is it that she's bringing to the table?' I may not have all the answers right now, but what I do have is the ability to get things done. My record as Cabinet secretary shows that," she said. Smith served as Veterans Services secretary from October 2020 to November 2022 when she stepped down to take care of her ailing mother in Virginia. Smith's mother died in February. During her tenure, she supported the enactment of an income tax exemption for armed forces retirees and oversaw the launch of a transportation program for veterans in rural New Mexico. She also increased the number of Veterans Services officers, reinstated a veterans program for women and established a full-time department tribal liaison to better support Native American veterans. Her confirmation wasn't without controversy. While most confirmation hearings draw little attention, hers sparked outcry when a high-ranking Republican asked Smith questions some said were laced with an undercurrent of racism. "Do you expect that in your time here, in seven years, that you've been immersed in this culture enough in this state that you feel comfortable entering a position?' then-Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca of Belen asked Smith. Baca noted a small percentage of the state's population is African American while nearly half is Hispanic or a Hispanic mix. "Do you feel like you are comfortable adequately representing both cultures — white, Native, Hispanics?" he asked Smith. "Are you asking do I feel comfortable representing the Department of Veterans Services as a Black woman? Is that what you are asking?" Smith asked Baca, who later apologized for what he characterized as an "insensitive line of questioning." Smith said Tuesday she's been considering running for secretary of state since serving as a Cabinet secretary. "I believe strongly in our voice and our votes being our voice," she said. "This is just not business as usual for us, and we see that all across country. ... Just like I protected our rights and freedoms when I served in the Air Force, that's the same vigor that I'm going to have in making sure that our vote, which is our voice, is protected." Before serving as Cabinet secretary, Smith worked as a special projects coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Health, helping guide the agency's COVID-19 testing team. Prior to that, she served as director of compliance at Southwest Care Center in Santa Fe and as clinical compliance manager at the University of New Mexico Medical Group, where she is working again as a health care administrator. A veteran of the Gulf War, Smith served as a medical technician in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She has a bachelor's degree in health services management from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., as well as a master's in health care compliance from Argosy University and a master's in health care administration from the University of Phoenix.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rhode Island pays tribute to state's fallen veterans
EXETER. R.I. (WPRI) — Dozens of Rhode Islanders gathered at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Monday afternoon to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The entire cemetery was adorned with thousands of American flags marking the headstones of the state's veterans and their loved ones who have been laid to rest. SEE ALSO: 'Boots on the Ground' memorial honors RI's fallen heroes Gov. Dan McKee and Veterans Services Director Kasim Yarn presided over the state's 51st annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery. Ronald Gill Sr. was among those in attendance. Gill Sr.'s son, 26-year-old Ronald Gill Jr., passed away during a United States Coast Guard training exercise 18 years ago. 'It's sad having to spend time with your son at the cemetery,' Gill Sr. said. 'But this is his home. This is where we come to see him.' Gill Sr. told 12 News he has dedicated his life to keeping his son's memory and legacy alive. 'This is the day to honor the men and women that never made it out of their uniform,' he said. More than 25,000 Rhode Island veterans, as well as their spouses and eligible dependents, are buried at the 280-acre cemetery, which first opened in 1976. NEXT: RI receives $5M to expand capacity of Veterans Memorial Cemetery Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day ceremonies take place throughout western Massachusetts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -Many will be remembering the meaning of Memorial Day on Monday and the honor we reserve for those who have given their lives for the country. What's open and closed on Memorial Day in Massachusetts? Ceremonies and parades will be held across the region on Monday. Here's a list of events happening this year: A Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will take place at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Monday at 1:00 p.m. Governor Maura Healey will be there to give the Memorial Day address alongside Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield will also be speaking at the event. The annual Memorial Day Procession and Ceremony will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m., beginning at the intersection of Spring Street and Boltwood Avenue. It will finish at the War Memorial Pool in front of Amherst Regional High School with a ceremony. On Monday, between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. at the South Cemetery, a salute to the veterans interred at Belchertown's South Cemetery. A parade will step off at 10:00 am from the town hall and conclude at the town common, followed by a ceremony. On Monday, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Plaza located at 650 Front Street at 11:00 a.m. The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday at the East Longmeadow High School. The outside ceremony will feature the East Longmeadow American Legion Post #293 members forming up at 10:30 AM and beginning a short march at 10:50 AM to the flag pole of East Longmeadow High School. The Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans' Services District will recognize Memorial Day on Monday at 10 a.m. with a parade and ceremony. The route starts at Greenfield Middle School and concludes at Veterans' Mall. Parade line-up begins at 9:30 a.m.. The route is as follows: Travels Down Federal Street. The route stops at the Federal Street Cemetery for the presentation of a remembrance wreath. Left onto Maple Street Right onto Franklin Street Right onto Main Street. The route stops at the Leavitt-Hovey House Mexican-American War statue and then left to the Greenfield Common for remembrance wreath presentations. Concludes at Veterans Mall for a short ceremony. Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. The parade will step off at 10:00 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic Church at 27 Somers Road, Hampden, and proceed down Main Street to the Veterans Memorial at the Hampden Town Center, where the town's Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, and the Memorial Day Ceremony will move indoors to Hampden Town Hall. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday at the War Memorial Building located at 310 Appleton Street. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Post 325 will host a lunch beginning at noon until 2 p.m. Post 351 will be hosting a breakfast from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 2 p.m. The City of Pittsfield's annual Memorial Day procession (rain or shine) will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday. A ceremony will follow at the cemetery. A Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. from Norris School to Center Cemetery for flag and flower placement and prayer. The parade will then continue to Town Hall for a Memorial wreath laying and a speech. On Monday, Mayor Domenic Sarno will join with Bishop William Byrne and our Veterans and families for the annual special Memorial Day Mass at St. Michael's Cemetery on Monday at 10:00 a.m. The Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday with a new route. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from City Hall and proceed down Court Street toward the center, turning right onto Broad Street, and right onto West Silver Street to Parker Memorial Park. It will be followed by a ceremony. On Monday, a gathering will take place at 6:45 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Bridge, which connects West Springfield and Agawam off Front Street. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 a.m. and will include brief remarks in honor of those who served and sacrificed. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will then begin their dawn patrol, visiting all local cemeteries where fallen service members are interred, as well as the Town's war memorials. The patrol is scheduled to begin around 8:00 a.m. at Ashleyville Cemetery on Riverdale Street. From there, it will go to Paucatuck Cemetery on Sibley Avenue, then to St. Thomas Cemetery on Pine Street, followed by White Church Cemetery on Elm Street. Additional stops will include the North End Bridge at the end of Park Avenue, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at the intersection of Park Street and Elm Street, and will conclude at the War Veterans' Memorial at the southeast end of the Town Common, near the North End rotary. West Springfield's official Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. outside Town Hall, located at 26 Central Street in West Springfield. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Memorial Day service held for fallen servicemembers at Massachusetts cemetery
For Thomas White, a Vietnam War veteran from Massachusetts, Memorial Day holds a deep personal significance far beyond just a three-day weekend. "I came home," said White. "But we lost 58,400 guys in Vietnam that are on the Vietnam wall." Saluting each veteran's grave Each year, on Memorial Day, White visits the Somerville Veterans Cemetery, where he honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He takes a moment at each gravesite, saluting the fallen to ensure their memory is never forgotten. Jerome Thomas, the Director of Veterans Services in Somerville, played a key role in organizing a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery. "Signifies, for me, as a veteran, brothers and sisters who we've lost in the past those who went before me who sacrificed all," said Thomas, a fellow veteran. "We all sign up for this, but few of us actually have to sacrifice our lives for it at the end of the day. So we're here to recognize them and say thank you for them." Veterans like White often express that they do not expect gratitude for their service, but the support of the community means a great deal. "As veterans, we don't ask for any thank yous," Thomas said. "But it is good to know that the community does support us." "It's an honor to see all these people show up to not just honor me but honor especially the people that are buried here," said White. Honoring the fallen The Somerville Veterans Cemetery serves as a solemn reminder of the men and women who gave their lives for the freedoms Americans enjoy today. Each Memorial Day, you can find White saluting each grave, taking the time to pay his respects. For Thomas, Memorial Day is not just about enjoying the warm weather or a day at the beach. It's a moment to reflect, honor, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. proclaims support for WA veterans
May 16—MOSES LAKE — Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed a proclamation reaffirming Washington's commitment to veteran suicide prevention. The proclamation comes amidst rising concerns about mental health challenges facing vets, with the rate of veteran suicide in Washington exceeding the national average, according to a statement from Ferguson. "We need the help of all Washingtonians, and I urge everybody to raise awareness of the support services that are available for suicide prevention," said Ferguson during the proclamation signing. According to the proclamation, suicide is a national public health crisis resulting in more than 49,000 deaths annually, with veterans accounting for approximately 16% of these tragically preventable losses. In Washington alone, suicide ranks as the tenth leading cause of death, and nearly 73% of veteran suicide cases involve firearms, highlighting the need for targeted intervention. "I urge all people in our state to raise awareness of behavioral health, suicide prevention, lethal means safety, and the support services available in our communities. Together we must encourage those in need to reach out for help, hope, and community," the governor said. Lethal means safety is defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as carefully managing access to the means, for example, firearms and lethal medications, by which someone may take their life. His commitment ties into the Washington State Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families, launched in 2020 to utilize a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention. Parts of the renewed launch include a newly created website with available suicide prevention resources, which can be found here: The website includes information for upcoming trainings, toolkits, resources across Washington and a program overview video. Anthony Garcia, the Grant County Veterans Services Officer, said the proclamation was important. He reiterated that suicide is particularly pressing among veterans. Garcia said many veterans struggle to transition back into civilian life after service, citing "the change into the culture" as a significant hurdle. "Some veterans just can't fit that mold anymore," he said, alluding to the psychological challenges that often arise during reintegration. The Governor's Challenge promotes collaboration between various governmental and non-governmental agencies to establish a robust support framework for veterans. This includes engaging local communities in awareness campaigns, accessing mental health resources and implementing evidence-based practices that address the unique needs of veterans and service members. "The biggest thing is getting the information out there," Garcia said. "If people know there are resources available, it can save lives." He highlighted the efforts of his office, which provides vital services to veterans, including access to mental health care and assistance with navigating the complexities of the Veterans Affairs system. Garcia said his office is hoping to expand to other resources in the upcoming months. At the Grant County Veterans Services Office, veterans can find resources such as free counseling sessions with local mental health professionals. For example, Robert Bates, a counselor contracted to provide mental health care, collaborates with Garcia's office to offer free support to veterans in the area. "As long as a veteran can prove their service, they can receive mental health care from Robert," Garcia said. Bates is in the office on Mondays and Fridays. Garcia said veterans can call the office and schedule a free appointment at any time. Garcia also noted the challenges faced in rural areas like Grant County, where access to mental health resources can be limited. To combat that, Garcia is working to bring more resources into his office. "The goal is to create a one-stop shop for veterans, where they can find all the help they need under one roof," he said. Ferguson's proclamation emphasizes several key focus areas, including identifying high-risk individuals and enhancing community connectedness. "If we can build a place here where every Tuesday or Wednesday there's something available for veterans, it becomes much easier for them to find help," Garcia said. Local outreach initiatives, along with broader awareness campaigns inspired by the proclamation, are intended to foster a supportive environment for veterans facing mental health challenges, Garcia said. For veterans in need of immediate support, Garcia urges them to reach out to him and inquire about available services. "The biggest thing is finding those resources," he said, as he encouraged veterans to take the first step in seeking help by contacting his office or any available community organizations. State resources, including the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, also provide essential support and services. Veterans experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Veteran" to 838255. "This is just the beginning; we need to keep talking about these issues and providing the necessary resources," Garcia said. Grant County Veteran Services 1008 West Ivy Ave. Moses Lake, WA 99837 509-754-2011 ext. 5255 509-855-4097 AGarcia@ Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
