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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Gallup Brick Co.


In Memory of Samuel Tso - Navajo Code Talker



Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Tradition of El Velorio by Mike Perez



Dear Editor,


And to the people of Gallup, I never thought that I would ever witness an end to the Hispanic tradition of El Velorio, also referred to as a wake or vigil. It had been present since the time when people still traveled by horse and buggy. Back in those days when a person in the community died, all the neighbors offered not only their condolences, but their services as well. The night before the burial was to take place, all the townspeople gathered at the home of the deceased for the wake. The corpse was usually placed in the living room or in the bedroom. Many of the closest friends, relatives, and other mourners would stay up with the corpse. I remember the smell of Pinon wood and coal during a velorio, it was always present in Gallup because this was the only source of fuel to heat the homes. And I remember children were allowed to stay up all night listening to the grownups talk, pray, and sing at the velorio, it was a very special experience. I was just a kid at a velorio when I met Jose, the man that sang the alabados, an elderly man, a (Penitentes), which is another story. This man Jose, told me of a woman who was a very good person that had died early one morning. Her husband had passed away many years before. Between her and her husband they had one son. But this son was more than enough. He was nothing but trouble for his mom. His name was Vicente, he never worked at all. All he ever did was drink and get into fights. His mom was always begging her son to change his ways, but he would only laugh and take off again. He was so disrespectful to his poor mother. On the day his mother died, Vicente. Felt so guilty for the many things he did and didn't do, especially for not asking for forgiveness. A couple of weeks later, after she had been buried, Vicente her son was still drinking but not as much. There was another old woman who lived in the same community. Her son took off, he went into town and did not return. It was close to three o'clock in the morning, still no sign of her son. This lady was so worried about her son, she could no longer tolerate waiting at home. She decided to wait for her son by the side of the road. She covered her entire body with a long black shawl and also covered part of her face, it was very dark that night, there was only the light of the moon. She was waiting patiently on the side of the road. Vicente was on his way home, he was not drunk, but had drank enough so he was feeling no pain. This lady knew that this was not her son, but she decided to approach him anyway. She would ask Vicente if he had any information on her son's whereabouts. The old lady appeared before him, and began to cry out "Have you seen my son?". " I am so worried, I have been waiting for him to come home". As she got closer to Vicente, the young man was stunned, he cried out "Mama?!". He started to beg for her forgiveness. Vicente was so scared he fell off his horse and the old woman took off running to get help. When help arrived they found Vicente dead. Vicente believed this old woman he met on the road that night was his dead mother and he had died of extreme fright. He was convinced that his mother's spirit had come back to haunt him because of his evil ways.



                                                                                                                      ~Mike Perez~


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cutest puppy in Gallup, New Mexico..... by Sandra Romero Turnbow!

This is what she looks like when mommie leaves for work!


My Dumplin Renee!

How cute is this!

Please send Axiom anything good about Gallup, Thank you Sandra for this awesome post!!!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Letter to the Axiom Editor on Gallup History!



    I remember on night back in the 70's, I was partying down town at Luchetties Del Mar Bar when two liquor agents walked in and checked out the place. These two liquor agents Eddie Moreno from Santa Rita and Lalo Sanchez from Deming were temporarily assigned to Gallup at about ll:30 on the evening of March, 31 1970, they went into the American Bar to talk with the owner. Before entering, they ordered several men to move from the parking area in front of the Saloon. Several minutes later from inside the bar, agent Moreno saw four men around the state car, and went out to investigate. When agent Sanchez went outside a short time later, he found Moreno Lying on the sidewalk badly beaten and shot in the head with his own gun. That gun was found later near by. Two men, Julian Martinez of Window Rock and Nelson Loretto of Gallup, were charged with the crime. 
     Agent Moreno 38 years old in 1970 initially survived the attack and responded to treatment. He died on July 13, 1975 as a result of complications from the assault and gunshot wound. He was survived by his wife. 
     Also in 1987 ABC was reorganized and became the Investigations bureau  special Investigation Division (SID) N.M. Department of Public Safety (DPS). In 1995 The Investigation Bureau became the Alcohol and Gaming Enforcement Section (AGES) of SID. Have a great day! 
                                                 Mike Perez
    

Elders







Every time an Elder dies and you have not sat down with them to talk. You have lost a library.
        ~ Mike Perez~ Gallup, NM