Speeches, wreath laying, parades, color guards and military flyovers will honor veterans on Monday.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., will be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day program at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
The program also includes a wreath-laying ceremony by Blue and Gold Star mothers, parade of colors, color guard and honor guard and POW/MIA candle-lighting ceremony.
Ceremonies start at 10:30 a.m., coinciding with a flyover by aircraft of the New Mexico Air National Guard.
A National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. will honor fallen soldiers.
Most federal, state, city and county government offices, along with courts, public libraries and many businesses, will be closed Monday, and regular mail service will be suspended. The Santa Fe Trails bus system will operate on a Sunday schedule, while city curbside trash collectors will follow their regular schedule.
On Friday, gates to the Santa Fe National Cemetery were closed for part of the day to allow about 400 volunteers to place 35,000 flags next to headstones. The flags will remain until Tuesday.
The Santa Fe National Cemetery has conducted more than 45,534 burials of veterans and immediate dependents.
"We average eight burials per day," cemetery director Cliff Shields said. "We can do as many as 12 in one day. About once a week we do 12. There's never a (weekday) that there are none."
Eight soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have been laid to rest in the national cemetery here, he said.
Among the 134 national cemeteries, Santa Fe's is the 21st busiest, Shields said. "Santa Fe National Cemetery is really the national shrine for the state of New Mexico as far as burials go."
There will be a variety of Memorial Day activities statewide.
While the day may signal the beginning of summer for many people, it's more than that to veterans and their families.
"Memorial Day should be more than just the arrival of warm weather," Veteran Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia declared in a written statement. "I wish more people would also take time to remember to honor our fallen heroes who've paid the ultimate sacrifice. Freedom isn't free. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be enjoying this three-day weekend and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans."
Garcia asked all New Mexicans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. Monday, designated by Congress to honor the servicemen and women who've lost their lives serving our country.
Garcia is also asking radio stations to play "The Star Spangled Banner" or other patriotic music at the appointed time.
Other observances in Northern New Mexico include activities at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park at Angel Fire. Monday's theme will be "Courage to Serve, Passion to Lead."
There will be two bands with music from the '60s and '70s, the 44th Army Band from Albuquerque, a candlelight vigil and a flag march through the Moreno Valley. Organizers invite all who would like to participate in the march to assemble at the intersection of NM 434 and US 64 at 8:45 a.m. Monday, after which marchers carry a giant American flag up to the memorial. The weekend's activities culminate with an 11 a.m. Amphitheater Ceremony.
Elsewhere in Northern New Mexico, a 1 p.m. ceremony, "Healing Field of Honor," in Questa will feature Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and State Treasurer James Lewis.
In Santa Fe, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will be able to sign up for education benefits under the new GI Bill on Monday at U.S. Rep. Ben Luján's office. The office, 811 St. Michael's Drive, Suite 104, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Honorably discharged members who served at least 90 days of active duty after Sept. 11, 2002, could get up to four years of education benefits. That includes activated reservists and members of the National Guard. Benefits include in-state tuition at public institutions, housing and book stipends.
The sign-up period has been open since May 1. Benefits take effect Aug. 1.
Luján, who is scheduled to give a prayer during the Santa Fe National Cemetery Memorial Day Service, will be at his office for GI Bill benefit sign-ups and a meet-and-greet at 1:30 p.m.
The office will be open Monday for other constituent services, as well.
Motorists who plan to travel this Memorial Day weekend will see that the average gasoline price has increased about 25 cents per gallon in the past month, AAA New Mexico said. But even with that rise, people will pay about $1.40 less than last year at the same time. Memorial Day travel is projected to rise about 1.5 percent over last year.
Reporter Kate Nash contributed to this report.
Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.
