Commentary: Today, Michelle Lujan Grisham released her plan to increase our state’s support for veterans and their families. The plan calls for the state to play a greater role in helping New Mexico veterans access services and benefits.
“New Mexico’s veterans face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare access, education assistance, housing, and employment,” said Michelle Lujan Grisham. “I’m proud of my record of serving veterans throughout my career. I took on the VA to demand better treatment of our service members and introduced legislation that would make it easier for veterans to receive the services they are entitled to. It’s time for the state to lead in serving and protecting those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and way of life. As governor, I’ll ensure that our veterans have the financial, housing, and healthcare resources they deserve.”
The main points of Michelle’s plan include:
Eliminating taxes on military retiree pay and increasing state benefits for New Mexico veterans
Promoting job security for veterans by making veterans education, workforce training, and employment a top priority
Supporting and sustaining veteran-owned businesses
Strengthening state programs that help veterans navigate and obtain federal and state benefits
Connecting veterans and their families to essential physical and behavioral health services and addressing gaps in healthcare services
Working to eliminate homelessness among New Mexico veterans
Supporting women veterans
Building veterans’ cemeteries in Taos and Bernalillo Counties
Read the full plan here.
In conjunction with the plan’s release, New Mexicans for Michelle announced the names of over 100 military veterans who support Michelle Lujan Grisham and believe she is the candidate who will create a state government that helps ensure our nation’s promise to our service members is kept. The individuals listed below represent every branch of the United States Military and include retired generals, colonels, and individuals who served among the highest ranks of the military.
Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon | US Army
Dick Allen | US Army
Demetris Anderson Nolte | US Army
Harry Antonio | US Army
Edward D. Baca | US Army | Lieutenant General, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Ret.
Jessey Baca | US Navy & NM Air National Guard
Carla Barela | US Army
Elizabeth R Berrey | US Army
Roger Blanco | US Army
Jennifer Carbajal | US Air Force
Eddie Carrillo | US Marines
Clifford Chavez | US Marines
Dennis Chavez | US Naval Air Force
Phillip Chavez | US Marines
Athena Christodoulou | US Navy
Richard Ciccarello | US Army
Jose David Cisneros | US Navy
Melissa Clark | US Air Force
Truth Clark Jr. | US Air Force
Deborah Cooper | US Navy
Frances Cordova | US Army & Army National Guard
Nate Cote | US Navy
Edwin Covington | US Navy
Buzz Daniel-Troy | US Navy
Michael Daus | US Navy
Aaron Dean | US Marines
Lloyd Deveneau | US Navy
Alfredo Dominguez | NM Army National Guard
Lester Emerson | US Marines
Mike Falcomata | US Army
Dick Foote | US U. S. Air Force
Dennis Gallegos | US Air Force | Colonel, Ret.
Lawrence Gallegos | US Army
Archie Garcia | US Brownwater Navy
Clifford Garcia | US Army
Danny Garcia | Army National Guard
Frank Garcia III | US Air Force
George Garcia | US Marines
Ismael Garcia | US Army
Marsha Garcia | US Marine
Rep. Harry Garcia | US Marine
Susan Garcia | US Air Force
Suzette Garcia | US Army
Tim Garcia | US Air Force
Rick Giron | US Army | Lieutenant Colonel, Ret.
Fred Gray | US Army
David Griego | US Air Force
Judy Griego | US Air Force | Brigadier General, Ret.
Kathleen Harvey | US Army
Bill Hatten | US Army
Mary Hendrickson | US Navy
Jim Hickey | US Marines
Madeline Hildebrandt | US Coast Guard
Matt Kaward | US Army
John Kelleher | US Army
Fmr. State Treasurer James Lewis | US Army
Bernie Lujan | US Army
Kenny Lujan | US Army/National Guard
Ernest Madrid | US Army
Willie Marquez | US Army
Bob Martinez | US
Louise Martinez | US Navy/National Guard
Mario Martinez | US Navy
Michael Martinez | US Navy
Rep. Rudy Martinez | US Air Force
Michael Melendez | US Air Force
Salvador Milan | US Army
Tommy Mirabal | US Marines
Melvyn Steve Montano | iNew Mexico National Guard | Major General, Ret.
Tracy O'Neal | US Air Force | Lieutenant Colonel, Ret.
Clarence Ortega | US Navy
Fred Ortega † | US Army
Raymond Ortega | US Marines
Frank Pablo | US Army
Pat Payne | US Navy
Michelle Peacock | US Army
Senator John Pinto | US Marine | Code Talker
Tom Powers | US Army
Mark A. Praught | US Army
Joseph Quinones | US Air Force
Fred Rael | US Army
Jeff Ray | US Navy
Allen J. Riley | US Army
Crescencio F. Riley | US Marine
Edwin A. Riley | US Marine
Michael L. Riley | US Air Force
Norman P. Riley | US Navy
Manuel Romero | US Army Infantry
Ruben Roybal | US Marine
Patricia Ruiz | US Marine
Paula Salas | US
Frank "Harpo" Sanchez | US Army
Fred Sanchez | US Marine
Jennifer Sanchez | US Air Force
Larry Sanchez | US Army
Leroy "Huero" Sanchez | US Army
Charlie Sandoval | US Army
Ruben Sandoval | US Army
Alfred Saavedra | US Army
Tyra Savedra | US Army
Dorothy Seaton | US Army
Gilbert Sedillo | US Army
Gregory Seeley | US Air Force
Gerald Sena | US Army
Gene Sisneros | US Army | Brigadier General, Ret.
Nat Troy | US Army
Delfinio Trujillo | US Army
Luis Trujillo | US Army
Filimon Vigil | US Navy
Philip Stephen West | US US Army
Mark Timothy Williams | US Navy, US Army, US Air Force, US Public Health Service
Garlind Woods | US Army
Elizabeth Zollo | US Air Force