The Route 66 town of Grants, N.M., unveiled a new, privately funded Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Friendship Park on the city's west side, according to the Gallup Independent.
Grants saw five of its soldiers die in Vietnam. About 600 people attended the ceremony, including Gov. Bill Richardson and 250 motorcyclists on their Run for the Wall cross-country pilgrimage. One eastbound lane of Route 66 was blocked off to allow the motorcyclists a place to park during the ceremony.
Here's a sobering thought:
Richardson pointed out 22 New Mexicans have been killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with 1,500 on duty there. He asked for a moment of silent prayer "for their safe return."