Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 120, No. 218 50¢ Daily / $1 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
September 10, 2011
We Remember
SATURDAY
www.rdrnews.com
DROUGHT BUSTERS
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the soggy East tries to dry out from flooding and Texas prays for rain that doesn’t come, you might ask: Isn’t there some way to ship all that water from here to there? It’s an idea that has tempted some, but reality gets in the way. - PAGE B3
TOP 5 WEB For The Past 24 Hours
• Downtown comes Alive After Five! • ‘How doth the little busy bee … • Glow pink in October to fight breast cancer • Roswell’s Most Wanted • Light rainfall makes big difference for Bitter Lake
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photos
Students at Monterrey Elementary School cheer as members of the Roswell Fire Department make an appearance Friday during a balloon release commemorating 9/11. Below, Michael Murphy of the Patriot Guard Riders rallies bikers to saddle up for a parade down Main Street.
Field of Honor events today
JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Chants of “U-S-A,” could be heard for blocks around Monterrey Elementary School Friday morning as students swarmed the parking lot waiting to honor Vietnam veterans and members of the Roswell Fire Department. As the veterans entered the lot on motorcycles, followed by a Station No. 5 fire truck, chants grew even louder while children simultaneously released red, white and blue balloons into the air. Dan Coleman, president of the Parent Advisory Committee for the school, said the event had a two-fold value. “First, heroes know that we appreciate them and that we have not forgotten them,” he said. “Second, it lets the kids know what a hero is. It teaches them pride.” Coleman also noted the benefits of having both
VANESSA KAHIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
The Field of Honor — an event that is taking place in several cities nationwide to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 — kicked off its local ceremony with an escorted drive on Main Street Friday morning. Roswell Field of Honor volunteer Rita Kane-Doerhoefer said Friday’s event See HONOR, Page A3
See 9/11, Page A3
NMMI WINS IN JAL 20-6
JAL — New Mexico Military Institute Colt football coach Randy Montoya said going into Friday’s game against Jal that the keys to success would be tackling and holding onto the football. The Colts did both well and it helped NMMI do something it hadn’t done in its first two games of the year — win. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Dr. Bob Nine - PAGE B3
HIGH ...80˚ LOW ....59˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B7 COMICS.................B6 ENTERTAINMENT...A10 FINANCIAL .............A8 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ......A10 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ............A10
INDEX
Children learn what a hero is JULIA BERGMAN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Youngsters clad in red, white and blue with American flags tattooed on their cheeks honored their heroes, large and small, in a combined 9/11 and grandparent’s day celebration Friday morning at Generations of Learning Center. The center celebrates 9/11 annually, but began coordinating the event with grandparent’s day a few years ago. “We make it a hero day celebration. We’re honoring our first responders. We’re honoring our grandparents — people who have made an impact on our lives. We try to instill that in them to look for somebody that is a hero in their life, and we talk a lot about heroes. Even though they’re young they’re beginning to get the idea of what a hero is,” said Marilyn Wagner, co-director of the center. Some 125 children participated in the event, according to Jeri Key, co-director of the center. “We just really love to honor the people that do so much for us each and every day of the year,” she See CHILDREN, Page A3
Children at Generations of Learning recite the Pledge of Allegiance Friday morning during the Grandparents & Hero Celebration held to honor the memory of 9/11.
Lynda Whalen: selfless volunteer leader for 17 years EMILY RUSSO MILLER RECORD STAFF WRITER
At any given time, dozens of volunteers dressed in bright pink blazers dart through Eastern New Mexico Medical Center to aid patients and visitors with their stay at the hospital. The infor mation desk, the surgical waiting room, the cancer ward — they’re always there, armed with a smile, to lend a helping hand. They are the ENMMC Auxiliary, and L ynda Whalen has been their selfless leader — and cheerleader — for the past 17 years.
Director of Volunteer Services since 1994, Whalen has developed the once small group of dedicated volunteers, which were usually spouses of doctors in the early days, into a booming 135-strong troupe that goes out of their way to make sure patients are comfortable, physicians are happy and the hospital is sparkling and profitable.
It’s not always an easy task, but Whalen says her job is her livelihood, and that day after day, her volunteers continue to amaze her with their dedication and loyalty. “These people are bees,” she said proudly, extolling their diligence. “If you volunteer in a hospital, you do things, you help others. See WHALEN, Page A3
Emily Russo Miller Photo
Lynda Whalen, director of volunteer services at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.