Friendship Force New Mexico

Friendship Force of New Mexico July Luncheon Saturday, July 14, 2018 Friends! Lou Montanti is our guest speaker for July’s luncheon. Lou will share his road trip adventures in the Run for the Wall event — the largest and longest organized cross country motorcycle run of its kind in the world!! Lou served as a Platoon Leader for the Central route of the Run for the Wall this year! There are 2 other routes: Midway and Southern. The journey begins in California and its destination is the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington DC. Lou is one of over 1,800 participants celebrating 31 years with Run for the Wall. Learn how 500 motorcycles can be fueled in 25 minutes at gas stations!!! Run for the Wall’s mission statement is to support our military personnel all over the world, honor the memory of those Killed in Action from all wars, a call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action and to promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends. Lou is originally from Staten Island, NY and grew up in farm country. He served in the military for 3 years as a Special Forces Airborne Ranger and had 2 tours in Vietnam until he was injured. He was a New York City police for 8 years, then moved to the Land of Enchantment in 1980 where joined the New Mexico State Police as an Investigator and worked for the State Attorney General. Lou retired at the age of 45 after 23 years as an Investigator. Join us for lunch and be entertained by Lou as he ventures with over 1,800 Veterans participating in the Run for the Wall to Washington DC on a motorcycle! Please make your reservations no later than Wednesday, July 11, by calling or texting Berta Wagstaff at 710-4448 or emailing her at vets4vets@aol.com. PLACE: Hotel Eleganté, 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE DATE: Saturday, July 14, 2017 TIME: 11:30 am COST: $14.00 per person (Checks, made out to FFNM, are preferred) NOTE: The Club must pay the hotel for all reservations. If you make a reservation and do not attend, you will be billed $14.00 for each reservation. Lets support our Veteran by having a great turnout at the luncheon!! –Berta Wagstaff          

Friends. Happy 4th of July! God Bless America – the land of the free, because of the brave! May you spend this day with those special in your life! Wanted to make sure you were given ample time to get the following dates in your social calendar!! Sue Bowersox will be sending you more details soon!! Let’s take a journey with Lou Montanti, a veteran, as he shares his adventures in the Run for the Wall event — the largest and longest organized cross country motorcycle run of its kind in the world — from California to the Veterans’ Memorial in Washington DC!! He has plenty of photos to share! Find out how 500 motorcycles fuel in 25 minutes!!! PLACE: Hotel Eleganté, 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE DATE: Saturday, July 14 TIME: 11:30 am COST: $14.00 per person (Checks, made out to FFNM, are preferred) RSVP: Call Sue Bowersock, 298-4947 or email her at bowsox@aol.com. Bring a friend! Wine & Cheese Social!!! This event was so popular, our member, Judith Mead has opened her home for the event! PLACE: 1515 Soplo Rd SE in Four Hills DATE: Sunday, July 15 TIME: 3:00-6:00 pm RSVP: Call Judith Mead at 323-2253 (h) & let her know what you will be bringing: Wine, Dessert or an Appetizer Deadline: We would like to have a head count no later than Friday, July 13 Bring a friend! Since you have your social calendar out, jot down the Club picnic in August!!! PLACE: Elena Gallegos Park DATE: Sunday, August 19 TIME: 5:00 – 8:00 pm RSVP: Call Berta Wagstaff at 710-4448 (m) or email vets4vets@aol.com This is a potluck! Those whose last names begin with A-I, please bring an appetizer; J-R, y’all bring a side dish; and S-Z, bring dessert!! Deadline: Please RSVP no later than Friday, August 17 Bring a friend! Your participation is very much appreciated as well as your assistance in increasing our membership!! Suggestions are always welcomed!! Berta Wagstaff Membership Development Chair      

Here is my sad news that my wife, Jo Margaret Gore Farris died about 3 pm on Saturday, 09 June 2018, on her ninth day in the Lovelace Hospice Hospital. Our son Marshall & I were with her & holding her hand. She looked very peaceful. Her memorial service is set for 10:30 am on Wednesday, 20 June, at the Albuquerque First Presbyterian Church with a reception to greet the family following the service. All of our four children & I are now working on her obituary. She accomplished so much in her 85 years that it will be long. We were married 64 years. Please contact me if you want a copy of the full obit & a group of photos of Jo Margaret. She left this earth with Music. A women’s quartet from the Albuquerque Threshold Choir was on the hospice floor & asked if they could sing to Jo Margaret. We invited them into her room & they sang four songs. All of them were beautiful & very appropriate for hospice. After the last song I asked Jo Margaret to blink her eyes if she was able to hear the beautiful music. She blinked her eyes & died moments later. It was an appropriate way for her to leave us. John Farris