Work on veterans cemetery stopped

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) - A project dedicated to veterans in southeast New Mexico just came to an unexpected halt.

The National Guard was helping the city of Carlsbad with creating a veterans cemetery. However, the committee behind the project has lost their help, and no one seems to know why.   

Several families are mourning the loss of loved ones this holiday season after many gave the ultimate sacrifice. Now, Carlsbad officials said they want to give back to veterans and their families with a local place of rest.

"The veterans cemetery had been an idea that's I think been kindling out there for quite some time," explained Jon Tully, Carlsbad City Administrator.

In fact, according to committee member Adon Rodriguez, who helped lead the project, talks about creating one in the southeast have been going on for roughly a decade. Just recently, the plan has taken shape.
     
The city is looking at about seven acres to dedicate from Sunset Gardens Memorial Park. Last month, members of the National Guard volunteered work and began clearing and leveling land.

But it all came to a quick halt  when Rodriguez got a call from the National Guard saying National Guard troops were not to continue with the project.

"All I know is third-party hand that the local National Guard unit was told to stop doing any more work out there," said Tully.

Rodriguez said those behind the project were shocked and confused. He told KRQE News 13 this is a strange instance, since the project involved veterans supporting veterans, and they're looking into why this call was made.

Although they've lost the manpower and the work that the National Guard was providing at the cemetery, city officials said this is just another obstacle, and it won't stop them from moving forward with the project.

"It would have been nice to have had their assistance, they would have probably liked to have been involved in the project, but if that can't be for one reason or another, the city is still going to move forward," said Tully.

KRQE News 13 tried contacting National Guard officials in Carlsbad and Santa Fe, but so far have not heard back.
     
City officials said with overwhelming support from the community, they're confident they'll get the help they need.   

Rodriguez said work on expanding the cemetery will likely resume after the first of the year. They're still in the planning stages, but Tully said they hope to have it all complete within a year.