The Southern Ute Veterans Association hosted their annual retreat in Santa Fe, N.M. this year. Association members visited the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, August 27.
Cemetery Director Victor Vasquez welcomed the Veterans Association and provided them with a tour of the cemetery grounds. Vasquez transported the Southern Ute Veterans Association members to view two known graves of Ute tribal member veterans: Albert Box and Morgan C. Thompson.
While walking to the graves, the visiting veterans found three other tribal members resting places; those of Rhoads Box, Wilbur K. Washington, and McKean D. Taylor.
The tour continued onto the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War and Navajo Code Talker monuments.
Vasquez provided extensive information about eligibility, available services and offered his assistance locating other members of Ute tribes. The Association submitted a request for a list of all Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Indian Tribe and the Ute Indian Tribe members buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. This list will be shared with all Ute Tribes.
The Veterans Association concluded the retreat by reviewing 2020-2021 activities and planned for activities for 2021-2022.