Veterans ride into Ignacio

Friday - September 8, 2023 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel shakes hands with Rose Vigil.

Members of Southern Ute Council, Marvin Pinnecoose, Marge Barry, Linda Baker and Chairman Melvin Baker join members of the Southern Ute Royalty, Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz, Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Maleina Carel and Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel.

Riders on the annual Durango Veterans Run assemble in front of the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial for a group photo, which has become a tradition over the years.

Dale Santistevan and Norman Lansing stand together for a photo in front of the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial.

Selena Cook holds her Challenge Pin given to her by the Southern Ute Veterans Association, as she stands with Ute Mountain Ute Veteran, Gordon Hammond.

Juan Valencia shakes hands with Southern Ute Veteran Howard Richards Sr., as David Latham greets Veterans and other riders.

Southern Ute Councilman, Marvin Pinnecoose asks riders to raise their hands and throttle twice, as he wishes them safe travels.

Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Maleina Carel introduces herself, and welcomes those participating in the Durango Veterans Run.

Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz introduces herself, and welcomes those participating in the Durango Veteran Run.

Durango Veterans Run participants listen to dignitaries of the Southern Ute Tribe, as they welcomed the riders to Ignacio and the Southern Ute Reservation.

Southern Ute Chairman, Melvin Baker welcomes the Durango Veterans Run participants to the Southern Ute Reservation.

Southern Ute Councilwomen, Marge Barry and Linda Baker, flank Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales.

The Southern Ute drum group sings an honor song for the riders of the Durango Veterans Run.

Emcee, and Southern Ute Veteran, Howard Richards Sr., welcomes the riders of the Durango Veterans Run in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.q

Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz and her mother Alyssa Nez, chat with Juan Valencia, former long-time employee of the Sky Ute Casino Resort.

Members of the Southern Ute drum group, Tim Ryder, Sam Burch and Tyson Thompson pose with riders Dustin Teague of Ft. Duchesne, Utah and Conrad Thompson of Ignacio, Colo.

Miss Southern Ute, Grace Gonzales with Dale Santistevan with traditional beaded gauntlets — which he beaded himself.

Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz stands with David and Lorena Lucero and Madilenia Chavarillo and “Foxy.”

Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel and Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Maleina Carel with David and Lorena Lucero and Madilenia Chavarillo and “Foxy.”

Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel shakes hands with one of the many riders who arrived at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park as part of the Durango Veterans Run.

Miss Southern Ute, Grace Gonzales shakes hands with Stephen McCranie and Selena Cook upon their arrival at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.

Vincent and Julia Mirabal wait in line to receive their poker cards alongside other riders.

Riders receive their poker cards during the Durango Veterans Run, in the hopes of getting a winning hand.

Riders of the annual Durango Veterans Run arrive at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park. The run began earlier that day in Durango, Colo.

Conrad Thompson cruises around the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park upon arriving in Ignacio with other riders.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum