VFW Daniel D. Fernandez Post 9676

04/12/2026

Why You Can't Miss This:
Impact: Shape the future of the Department of New Mexico.

Brotherhood & Sisterhood: Reconnect with old friends and forge new bonds.

Training & Resources: Stay updated on Veteran benefits and community initiatives.

Celebration: Join us for special events and honors throughout the week.
https://vfwnm.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp

04/06/2026

04/02/2026

🇺🇸✨ 2026 National Medal of Honor Day & National Vietnam War Veterans Day Celebration — Community Appreciation ✨🇺🇸

What an extraordinary day here at Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our post members, community members, families, and supporters who came together to honor two deeply meaningful observances: National Medal of Honor Day and National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Your presence, support, and camaraderie made this year’s celebration truly special. The photos I’m sharing capture only a portion of the pride, emotion, and unity that filled the Post Home today.

📅 Event Recap — March 28 in Los Lunas
We began the morning with a powerful and moving Flag Raising & Reveille Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., held outdoors at the entrance to Daniel D. Fernandez Memorial Park. The crisp air, the sound of Reveille, and the sight of the flag rising set the tone for a day of remembrance and gratitude.

At 10:00 a.m., we gathered indoors for a meaningful program featuring distinguished speakers who shared stories, history, and personal reflections that reminded us why these commemorative days matter so deeply.

🎙 Featured Speakers & Their Contributions
Our program was enriched by heartfelt words from individuals who carry the legacy of service, sacrifice, and memory:

Peter Fernandez, brother of Medal of Honor recipient Daniel D. Fernandez, joined by his wife Lollie, sharing family reflections and honoring Daniel’s enduring legacy.

John Tull, Post Senior Vice Commander, speaking on behalf of VFW Post 9676 and highlighting the significance of these observances to our Post.

Jack Lovato, Vietnam veteran, decorated lifetime member, quartermaster, and webmaster, delivering a powerful message on “The Vietnam Generation and Carrying Vietnam Veterans’ Memory Forward.”

These voices brought history to life and honored the sacrifices of those who served—and those who continue to serve.

Thank you again to everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, or simply stood with us in honoring these important days. Your presence strengthens our community and keeps the legacy of our veterans alive.

As always, I look forward to seeing everyone again and continuing to honor, remember, and celebrate together.

🇺🇸 “We honor the past, support the present, and strengthen the future.” 🇺🇸

03/29/2026

Today, VFW Post 9676 joins the nation in honoring our Vietnam War veterans and their families. We stand united in our promise to never forget your service, to always advocate on your behalf, and to ensure your legacy lives on forever. Welcome home, and thank you. 🇺🇸
​

On this day of remembrance, we honor our nation’s Vietnam War veterans and their families. We will never forget your service, always advocate on your behalf and never forget your legacy.

03/28/2026

👶🍼✨ Calling All Community Heroes! Join Our 4th Annual Operation Tiny Tots! ✨🍼👶

It’s that magical time of year again! VFW Daniel D. Fernandez Post 9676 is excited to remind everyone that our 4th Annual Operation Tiny Tots is underway — and the cutoff date is March 31st, 2026 at midnight.

Even though we are no longer hosting in‑person collection days, we are STILL accepting donations. If you have items you’d like to contribute, please contact Commander Pino ASAP so we can get these much‑needed supplies into the hands of families who truly need them. ❤️

🌟 What Precious Items Are We Collecting? 🌟
We’re gathering essential items for infants and toddlers (newborn to age 3). Every donation makes a real difference.

Diapers (all sizes welcome)

Formula (unopened & unexpired)

Gently used or new clothing (clean & ready for cuddles)

Infant care items (wipes, creams, blankets, bottles, etc.)

🗓️ How You Can Still Make a Difference! 🗓️

🚗 Have Donations Ready? We’ll Come to You!
Call our Post Commander, Chet Pino, at (505) 414‑0288 to arrange a pickup.

💻 Prefer to Donate Online? We’ve Got You Covered!
Support Operation Tiny Tots from anywhere using our Amazon Registry.

Link to our Amazon Registry: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2XQ4S9Z5KC1KV

Or search “VFW Post 9676 Operation Tiny Tots” on Amazon and look for Chairman Gabriel Barela as the registry owner.

You can also visit our website for direct links and more ways to help:
vfw9676.org

🎁 Operation Tiny Tots is all about community, compassion, and caring for our littlest neighbors.
Your generosity — big or small — helps us bring comfort and hope to families who need it most.

Let’s come together and make this year’s drive the most impactful one yet. Thank you for always showing up for our community. ❤️

VFW Daniel D. Fernandez Post 9676
Cutoff Date: March 31st, 2026 at Midnight

03/28/2026

📣 REMINDER: Today at 9:30 AM — National Medal of Honor Day & National Vietnam War Veterans Day Celebration in Los Lunas
LOS LUNAS — This is a reminder that today, Saturday, March 28, Daniel D. Fernandez Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9676 will host its annual celebration of National Medal of Honor Day and National Vietnam War Veterans Day at the Post Home, located at the entrance to Daniel D. Fernandez Memorial Park, 1201 State Highway 314 (Yellow Building).

🇺🇸 Event Schedule
9:30 a.m. – Flag Raising & Reveille Ceremony (outdoors)

10:00 a.m. – Indoor program with distinguished guest speakers

🎙 Featured Speakers
These two commemorative days hold deep meaning for VFW Post 9676. The Post is named after Medal of Honor recipient Daniel D. Fernandez, and 95% of its members are Vietnam War veterans, many of whom knew Daniel personally.

Today’s program will feature:

Peter Fernandez, brother of Daniel D. Fernandez, accompanied by his wife, Lollie

John Tull, Post Senior Vice Commander, presenting on behalf of VFW Post 9676

Jack Lovato, Vietnam veteran, decorated lifetime member, quartermaster, and webmaster, speaking on “The Vietnam Generation and Carrying Vietnam Veterans’ Memory Forward”

Frank Gurule, Post Adjutant, sharing personal experiences and memories of his friendship with Daniel D. Fernandez

🎉 Additional Details
Free admission

No registration required

Door prizes

Finger foods and refreshments for all attendees

All veterans and members of the general public are warmly invited to join this meaningful annual celebration honoring service, sacrifice, and community.

Eligible veterans interested in joining VFW Post 9676 are encouraged to reach out.

For more information:

Jack Lovato, Post Quartermaster: 505‑550‑4076

Chet Pino, Post Commander: 505‑414‑0288

03/12/2026

🇺🇸 Attention Los Lunas Veterans and Families! 🇺🇸
​Join DAV Auxiliary Unit #29 THIS SATURDAY for an important, highly informative Veterans and Dependent Benefits Seminar.
​Planning for the future is essential, but you don't have to do it alone. This seminar is designed to empower veterans, spouses, dependents, and caregivers with the knowledge needed to navigate benefits and future planning with confidence and dignity.
​We’ll be featuring presentations from the DAV National Service Office and Noblin Funeral Service covering:
✅ VA filings & survivor benefits
✅ Financial readiness
✅ Available support services
✅ Funeral & burial planning
​📅 Date: This Saturday, March 14, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Village Ranch House (3476 Main Street, Suite D, Los Lunas, NM)
​Taking steps now can spare your family future confusion and financial stress. Please check out the flyer below for more details!
​Questions? Contact DAVA Adjutant Roybal at (505) 977-4423 or [email protected].
​Please SHARE this post to help us spread the word to those who might benefit in our community! 🤝
​

03/03/2026

VFW Post 9676 Honored with 2025 Historical Preservation Award! 🎖️
VFW Post 9676 is immensely proud and deeply grateful to announce that we were recently honored with the Valencia County Historical Society's prestigious 2025 Historical Preservation Award. This significant recognition celebrates our dedicated work on the restoration of the 90mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Monument in Los Lunas, now officially known as the “Los Lunas Schools Veteran Memorial/Monument.”

The award was formally presented at the annual meeting of the Valencia County Historical Society on March 1st at 2 PM at the Harvey House Museum. It was a truly special occasion, and we were honored to be recognized among fellow award recipients.
Our members and their families who attended the historical society meeting felt a profound sense of pride and are eternally grateful for this recognition. It was a moving experience to be acknowledged for our collective efforts in preserving a vital piece of our community's history.

Quartermaster Jack Lovato, reflecting the sentiments of our entire post, shared, "We were honored to have been chosen for the task, and we are even more honored to have been selected by the Valencia County Historical Society to receive the 2025 Historical Preservation Award.”

On behalf of the Restoration Team, we extend our heartfelt THANK YOU to JOHN for his unwavering support of Valencia County Veterans, and particularly the members of Daniel D. Fernandez, VFW Post 9676. His contribution was invaluable, and we will never forget it.

It was our distinct pleasure to restore this Los Lunas Monument, which has, and will continue to, honor all veterans for their selfless service to our country. We also wish to acknowledge that this restoration would not have been possible without the generous donations and hard work of several Valencia County contractors. Their community spirit and support were instrumental in making this project a reality.

03/03/2026

🌟 Honoring a True American Hero: Captain Jose Villarreal, Jr. 🌟

On February 27th, 2026, at 11:00 AM, VFW Daniel D. Fernandez Post 9676, in proud partnership with Ambercare Hospice, had the profound honor of conducting a Pinning Ceremony for a remarkable individual: Air Force Vietnam Veteran and Post 9676 Lifetime Member, Mr. Jose Villarreal, Jr. The heartfelt ceremony took place at Mr. Villarreal’s residence in Los Lunas, NM.

Mr. Villarreal, an esteemed 84-year-old veteran, dedicatedly served our nation in the Air Force from 1964 to 1969, achieving the distinguished rank of Captain (O-3). He received formal combat crew training and bravely served as a Navigator-Bombardier on the iconic B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber. He was a vital crew member in the six-person B-52 team, operating from the lower "Black Hole" deck to guide missions and drop conventional ordnance. Captain Villarreal served with the Air Force 3rd Air Division (3AD), headquartered at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, during the Vietnam War. His command was responsible for Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombing operations, including the famous B-52 Arc Light missions over Southeast Asia, particularly during the height of the 1968 Vietnam War air campaign. 🇺🇸

Beyond his military service, Mr. Villarreal's life is a testament to dedication and achievement. He began his college journey at Texas A&M University in 1960, graduating in June 1964, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. After his distinguished Air Force career, he returned to Texas A&M, earning his master's degree in business administration in May 1971, and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Philosophy in December 1974. His professional career included 25 years at IBM, followed by teaching computer science and math at NM Highlands University and Eastern NM University. Not one to rest, he then built a successful property management business, utilizing his master carpenter skills. Truly an inspiring journey!

Adding to the special occasion, Comrade Villarreal was presented with a beautiful Quilt of Valor by Patricia Forshaw, Group Leader of the Albuquerque New Mexico Quilts of Valor Foundation, who was assisted by Karen Palmer. This presentation was a touching tribute to his unwavering military service and sacrifice. It was a truly memorable event, celebrating a remarkable veteran and a cherished lifetime member of our post for three years. ❤️

Among those in attendance were Chet Pino, Post Commander; John Tull, Jr., Post Sr. Vice Commander; Jack Lovato, Post Quartermaster, and his wife Dolores; Frank Gurule, Post Adjutant; Andrew Garcia, Post Chaplain; Michael Martinez, Post member; Lennie Gurule, Ambercare Volunteer and Veterans Tribute Coordinator; Consuelo (Coni) Villarreal, Mr. Villarreal’s wife; Ed Lovato, Mr. Villarreal’s brother-in-law; and Chris Torrez, Mr. Villarreal’s son-in-law, alongside Patricia Forshaw and Karen Palmer from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

We pay special tribute to you, Mr. Villarreal, for both your military and patriotic contributions to America, and for advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all. Thank you for your dedicated service to our Country!