SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez delivered the Eulogy at a special funeral this afternoon at the Santa Fe National cemetery honoring six U.S. Armed Forces Veterans who were cremated when no family members stepped forward to claim the bodies after their deaths.

Buried with full military honors were the cremains of four veterans from Bernalillo County: U.S. Army Private Joe Zamora Garcia, U.S. Army Private Gerald Joseph Ortiz, U.S. Army Specialist 1st Class Michael Riley Phillips, and U.S. Navy Seaman Albert Zarick. Also buried were the unclaimed cremains of U.S. Marine Corps Private Daniel Keith Reid of Otero County and U.S. Army Private 1st Class Jim Lang of Taos County.

The six veterans were buried courtesy of the Forgotten Heroes Burial Program, a collaborative effort between the state and all thirty-three counties to ensure that any honorably-discharged deceased veteran whose body goes unclaimed will receive a military funeral at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

“Though these heroes have gone unclaimed, they deserve the deepest respect and gratitude of every American,” said Governor Martinez. “It is an honor to lay these men to rest and ensure that they are not alone in the end. This service represents the grateful citizens of New Mexico as we thank them for their service to our country and provide them with the final salute that they have earned by making the ultimate sacrifice.”

Colors for the funeral were posted by Vietnam Veterans of America Northern New Mexico Chapter 996. A Flag-Fold Ceremony and 21-Rifle Salute were performed by the United State Armed Forces Honor Guard. A bugle rendition of Taps was performed by Jake Trujillo of the Roswell Veterans’ Honor Guard Team. The folded American flag used in the service was presented to Santa Fe National Cemetery Director Cliff Shields, who accepted it on behalf of the citizens of New Mexico.

The Forgotten Heroes Burial Program was the first state-involved collaborative effort in the country to ensure that any honorably-discharged veteran whose body is unclaimed upon death receives a military funeral.

After the deaths of any honorably-discharged veteran in New Mexico, the family can request the services of 28 volunteer Honor Guard Teams throughout the state to perform a Military Funeral service. The teams receive guidance and training through the New Mexico Honors Burial Program managed by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the New Mexico National Guard. (Press Release)