Today, March 25, 2025, marks National Medal of Honor Day, coinciding with the grand opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. This new museum allows us to reflect on the exceptional courage demonstrated by the recipients of our nation's highest military decoration.
The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,511 service members across all branches of the military since its establishment in 1861, during the Civil War. Each Medal represents an extraordinary act of valor performed at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. 
The new museum in Arlington stands as a testament to America's commitment to remembering these heroes. Did you know that only 65 Medal of Honor recipients are still alive today? This reminds us of the rarity of this honor and our responsibility to share their stories.
The state-of-the-art facility will house artifacts, interactive exhibits, and personal stories of recipients, creating a permanent home for their legacies. After years of planning and fundraising, the museum's grand opening ensures that we never forget these stories of extraordinary courage or the men and women who performed them.
New Mexico's Medal of Honor Legacy
Did you know that New Mexico has 17 CMH recipients who call Our Great State home? These individuals, spanning conflicts from the Indian Wars to Vietnam, represent the highest traditions of military service and our state's unique character.
Albuquerque itself has been home to three Medal of Honor recipients whose stories deserve recognition today:
Raymond G. "Jerry" Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea on February 3, 1953. Murphy, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, led his platoon against heavily fortified enemy positions. Despite being wounded twice, he refused evacuation, continuing to lead his men and personally carrying wounded Marines to safety. After the war, Murphy dedicated himself to serving fellow veterans at the Veterans Administration office in Albuquerque, where he remained until his retirement.
Our Nation awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to John P. Baca for his heroic actions in Vietnam. When Baca's patrol came under intense fire, and a grenade landed among his fellow soldiers, Specialist Fourth Class Baca covered the grenade with his helmet and body, absorbing the blast and saving his comrades from certain injury or death. His incredible sacrifice and survival have inspired generations.
Louis R. Rocco, an Albuquerque resident, earned his Medal of Honor as a helicopter medic in Vietnam. On May 24, 1970, his helicopter crashed while attempting to evacuate wounded Vietnamese soldiers. Despite suffering severe burns and a broken wrist and hip, Warrant Officer Rocco made three trips through intense enemy fire to carry wounded comrades to safety before collapsing from his injuries.
Other New Mexican recipients include Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura from Gallup, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. When the enemy overran Miyamura's position, Corporal Miyamura ordered his men to retreat while he stayed behind to cover them, single-handedly fighting off numerous enemy soldiers. Miyamura was captured and endured 28 months as a prisoner of war. When he returned home, he learned he had been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Daniel Fernandez from Los Lunas selfless action embodies the essence of the Medal of Honor – "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Daniel made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam when he threw his body onto a grenade to save his fellow soldiers. 
Jose Leandro Acosta from Santa Fe's CMH story is a unique New Mexico story because Jose's heroic actions took place right here in New Mexico, during the Indian Wars and the campaign against Apache warriors in the New Mexico Territory.  
The Meaning Behind the Medal
The Medal of Honor represents far more than military achievement—it symbolizes the core values that define our nation. Recipients are not celebrated merely for their combat prowess but also for their moral courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to their fellow service members and country.  It's a tale of love. Love of your friends and your country.
These stories are particularly moving because Medal of Honor recipients typically insist that they do their duty. Many express that their actions were acts of love and no more significant than those of their brothers who fought alongside them, because their comrades would do the same for them. This humility, even in the face of extraordinary accomplishment, speaks to the character of these individuals.
The freedoms we enjoy today—to speak freely, worship as we choose, and pursue our dreams—exist because of the sacrifices made by our military personnel throughout history. The Medal of Honor recipients represent the pinnacle of this service, having demonstrated a love for country and comrades that transcends self-interest.
Their legacy challenges us to consider how we can serve others in our daily lives and contribute to the ongoing story of our community and nation. We recommit ourselves to the values they fought to protect when we honor Congressional Medal of Honor Heroes.
Today, while we observe National Medal of Honor Day and as the new Medal of Honor Museum opens in Arlington, let's remember New Mexico's heroes and their stories of courage and sacrifice. Let their stories remind us of the extraordinary acts that ordinary people can perform in stressful incomprehensible situations.
Their legacy lives on not just in museums or the pages of history books but in the freedoms and opportunities you enjoy as an American. Today, let’s consider how these freedoms and opportunities were made possible by the ultimate acts of love and sacrifice of a few extraordinary individuals.
If you’re considering buying or selling Albuquerque Real Estate, Sandi Pressley Team is ready to help. Our in-depth knowledge of regulations and the local market, trusted contractor relationships, and experience can transform a challenging situation into a successful opportunity. So, if you're considering selling your Albuquerque home and need to prepare for your water audit, or you're in the market to buy and want to understand what these regulations mean for your new home, give me a call directly at (505) 263-2173, or visit our website: https://www.albuquerquehomesolutions.com/ 
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Incredible investment opportunity in the NE Heights! All four units have a strong rental history, and each has a current lease. This property has been impeccably maintained, featuring a New Roof (2024), a new water heater (2024), and each unit has been kept turnkey, complete with fresh paint, cabinets, and flooring. With 6 parking spaces and a community laundry facility, this one is waiting for a new owner and should not be missed.
GET YOUR MORNING INSPIRATION WITH THE Sandi Pressley TEAM!
 

Today, March 25, 2025, marks National Medal of Honor Day, coinciding with the grand opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. This new museum allows us to reflect on the exceptional courage demonstrated by the recipients of our nation's highest military decoration.

The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,511 service members across all branches of the military since its establishment in 1861, during the Civil War. Each Medal represents an extraordinary act of valor performed at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. 

The new museum in Arlington stands as a testament to America's commitment to remembering these heroes. Did you know that only 65 Medal of Honor recipients are still alive today? This reminds us of the rarity of this honor and our responsibility to share their stories.

The state-of-the-art facility will house artifacts, interactive exhibits, and personal stories of recipients, creating a permanent home for their legacies. After years of planning and fundraising, the museum's grand opening ensures that we never forget these stories of extraordinary courage or the men and women who performed them.

New Mexico's Medal of Honor Legacy

Did you know that New Mexico has 17 CMH recipients who call Our Great State home? These individuals, spanning conflicts from the Indian Wars to Vietnam, represent the highest traditions of military service and our state's unique character.

Albuquerque itself has been home to three Medal of Honor recipients whose stories deserve recognition today:

Raymond G. "Jerry" Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea on February 3, 1953. Murphy, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, led his platoon against heavily fortified enemy positions. Despite being wounded twice, he refused evacuation, continuing to lead his men and personally carrying wounded Marines to safety. After the war, Murphy dedicated himself to serving fellow veterans at the Veterans Administration office in Albuquerque, where he remained until his retirement.

Our Nation awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to John P. Baca for his heroic actions in Vietnam. When Baca's patrol came under intense fire, and a grenade landed among his fellow soldiers, Specialist Fourth Class Baca covered the grenade with his helmet and body, absorbing the blast and saving his comrades from certain injury or death. His incredible sacrifice and survival have inspired generations.

Louis R. Rocco, an Albuquerque resident, earned his Medal of Honor as a helicopter medic in Vietnam. On May 24, 1970, his helicopter crashed while attempting to evacuate wounded Vietnamese soldiers. Despite suffering severe burns and a broken wrist and hip, Warrant Officer Rocco made three trips through intense enemy fire to carry wounded comrades to safety before collapsing from his injuries.

Other New Mexican recipients include Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura from Gallup, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. When the enemy overran Miyamura's position, Corporal Miyamura ordered his men to retreat while he stayed behind to cover them, single-handedly fighting off numerous enemy soldiers. Miyamura was captured and endured 28 months as a prisoner of war. When he returned home, he learned he had been awarded the Medal of Honor.

Daniel Fernandez from Los Lunas selfless action embodies the essence of the Medal of Honor – "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Daniel made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam when he threw his body onto a grenade to save his fellow soldiers. 

Jose Leandro Acosta from Santa Fe's CMH story is a unique New Mexico story because Jose's heroic actions took place right here in New Mexico, during the Indian Wars and the campaign against Apache warriors in the New Mexico Territory.  

The Meaning Behind the Medal

The Medal of Honor represents far more than military achievement—it symbolizes the core values that define our nation. Recipients are not celebrated merely for their combat prowess but also for their moral courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to their fellow service members and country.  It's a tale of love. Love of your friends and your country.

These stories are particularly moving because Medal of Honor recipients typically insist that they do their duty. Many express that their actions were acts of love and no more significant than those of their brothers who fought alongside them, because their comrades would do the same for them. This humility, even in the face of extraordinary accomplishment, speaks to the character of these individuals.

The freedoms we enjoy today—to speak freely, worship as we choose, and pursue our dreams—exist because of the sacrifices made by our military personnel throughout history. The Medal of Honor recipients represent the pinnacle of this service, having demonstrated a love for country and comrades that transcends self-interest.

Their legacy challenges us to consider how we can serve others in our daily lives and contribute to the ongoing story of our community and nation. We recommit ourselves to the values they fought to protect when we honor Congressional Medal of Honor Heroes.

Today, while we observe National Medal of Honor Day and as the new Medal of Honor Museum opens in Arlington, let's remember New Mexico's heroes and their stories of courage and sacrifice. Let their stories remind us of the extraordinary acts that ordinary people can perform in stressful incomprehensible situations.

Their legacy lives on not just in museums or the pages of history books but in the freedoms and opportunities you enjoy as an American. Today, let’s consider how these freedoms and opportunities were made possible by the ultimate acts of love and sacrifice of a few extraordinary individuals.

If you’re considering buying or selling Albuquerque Real Estate, Sandi Pressley Team is ready to help. Our in-depth knowledge of regulations and the local market, trusted contractor relationships, and experience can transform a challenging situation into a successful opportunity. So, if you're considering selling your Albuquerque home and need to prepare for your water audit, or you're in the market to buy and want to understand what these regulations mean for your new home, give me a call directly at (505) 263-2173, or visit our website: https://www.albuquerquehomesolutions.com/ 

 

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!       

Albuquerque, NM 87112


 

Incredible investment opportunity in the NE Heights! All four units have a strong rental history, and each has a current lease. This property has been impeccably maintained, featuring a New Roof (2024), a new water heater (2024), and each unit has been kept turnkey, complete with fresh paint, cabinets, and flooring. With 6 parking spaces and a community laundry facility, this one is waiting for a new owner and should not be missed.

GET YOUR MORNING INSPIRATION WITH THE Sandi Pressley TEAM!