Las Cruces High School class of ’66 celebrates 50th reunion

Over 160 former Las Cruces High School students served in the Vietnam War. Four of them died in combat.

On Sunday, they were remembered during the Las Cruces High School class of 1966 50th reunion.

The ceremony held at Veteran’s Memorial Park started with the national anthem as former class mates stood together saluting. Then, they read off the names of the four men who died shortly after graduation. Their photos and medals were presented proudly on plaques and american flags and flowers were placed next to their names on the Vietnam memorial wall. While many say those who served didn’t receive the homecoming they deserved, former classmates say they now share a special bond.

“I enjoy seeing my friends, but it brings back a lot of memories,” Veteran Louie Coleman said. “Some of them you keep suppressed, others its just part of life I guess.”

398 men killed in the Vietnam War were from New Mexico.