Heinrich Presents Service Medals To Veterans In Farmington

FARMINGTON, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) held a ceremony yesterday to recognize two U.S. Marine Corps veterans at the All Veterans Memorial Plaza at Berg Park in Farmington.

Click here for photos from the ceremony.

Marine Corps Private First Class Tom Weaver earned, but never received, a Bronze Star for his courageous actions in Vietnam in 1968. Senator Heinrich’s office worked with Weaver’s daughter, Shandra Smith, to help attain the medal, which Senator Heinrich presented to Mr. Weaver at the ceremony.

Marine Corps Corporal Cameron Haley was shot during an ambush near Marjah in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in 2010. After his recovery, his Purple Heart arrived damaged in the mail. Mr. Haley will receive his new medal during a ceremony at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in November. Senator Heinrich presented Mr. Haley with a certificate for the medal and an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor.

“It was a proud moment to have the opportunity to honor these true American heroes. Both Tom Weaver and Cameron Haley deserve recognition for the sacrifices they made, they deserve the medals they earned, and they deserve the utmost respect and appreciation for their service to our country,” said Sen. Heinrich. “One of my most important responsibilities is to keep America's promise to our service members and their families. When our troops return home, they should receive the benefits and recognition that they have earned.”

Senator Heinrich, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is a staunch supporter of our nation's veterans and military families. Earlier this week, he hosted a roundtable discussion in Carlsbad to bring together veterans from across southeast New Mexico to discuss the issues facing the local community. Senator Heinrich voted to create the Veterans Choice Program to ensure all veterans, especially those in rural Western states, have access to care. The program allows veterans to utilize other medical facilities if timely VA care isn’t available. Senator Heinrich is also a cosponsor of the Veterans First Act to significantly improve accountability at the VA and make sweeping enhancements to veterans’ benefits and services.