Gallup Sun

The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and Vietnam Veterans of America  Northern New Mexico Chapter 996 signed a Memorandum of Understanding July 17 to build a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Under the agreement, VVA will commence fundraising, independent of DVS, to cover the estimated $300,000 cost of building the replica of the national Wall featuring the names of the 58,318 American service members killed in action or listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War. Of that total, 398 are from New Mexico.

VVA Chapter 996 will commission an artist for the project. Once the replica wall is finished, it will be donated to...

Ferland Johnson of Thoreau, N. M. died July 2.  He is preceded in death by his Grandmother, Elsie S. Johnson. He is survived by his sons: Kaleb Johnson, Ulijah Johnson; his daughters: Fanithya, Zydenya and Delayza Johnson; his mother: Laverne Barbone; his stepfather: Johnny Barbone; his brother Quindell Barbone; and his sisters: KeShawna Barbone, KayShannon Barbone, and KaShayla Barbone.

The family will receive friends at Baca Chapter House. Funeral services will be held at the Thoreau Church of God, with interment at Thoreau Cemetery.