Mountain Chapels of Peace

I visited and photographed two chapels that hold special meaning to those who serve their country in peace and war.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121 New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado

A decorative altar with a mosaic backdrop featuring a large banner reading 'I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills, My Help Comes from the Lord, Psalm 121:1-2'. Flanking the altar are floral arrangements and a menorah.
photo by Dr. Aletha, late 1970s, during a visit to colordo Springs, CO

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire, New Mexico

Interior corner of a tranquil space with a textured wall, featuring a tall white candle holder with lit candles and a small floral arrangement nearby.
inside the chapel, which is never locked; it is open for anyone to enter at any time

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Dr. Aletha

Memorial Day at Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May in the U.S., honors those who died serving in the armed forces. In 2014, we visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico, to participate in a remembrance service and view an engraved brick .

updated May 25, 2025

The United States celebrates Memorial Day on the last Monday of  May, a day set aside to remember people who died while serving in the armed forces, although many families use it to remember other deceased loved ones also.  

Memorial Day 2014 was special and unique for my husband and me.

We had planned a trip to New Mexico, not realizing we would be there on Memorial Day. I was attending a medical conference. We wanted to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Angel Fire.

Since my husband is a Vietnam Veteran, I had ordered a brick engraved with his name to be laid on the walkway there. We wanted to see it, and decided to go on Memorial Day, to join the special remembrance service they have on that day.

It was a chilly overcast day, not what we expected for late May. Fittingly, the rain held off until the ceremony ended, then it poured down. I took all of the photos in this post.

on the memorial grounds, the chapel in the background
In the background, I am kneeling to view Raymond's brick
In the background, I am kneeling to view Raymond’s brick
Inside the chapel, which is never locked; it is open for anyone to enter at any time
presenting a flag and plaque to the family of a fallen soldier
A flag and plaque were presented to the family of a fallen soldier
music by a local military reserve unit
A local military reserve unit provided music.
Raymond with the late Dr. Westphal, who founded the memorial in honor of his son who died in Vietnam (an old photo)

On an earlier trip Raymond met with the late Dr. Westphall, who founded the memorial in honor of his son David, who died in Vietnam.

 David Westphal Veterans Foundation

“The purpose of the David Westphall Veterans Foundation is to honor America’s veterans and members of its military forces by memorializing the sacrifices they have made and by recognizing the sense of duty and the courage they have displayed as they answered their country’s call to arms.”

Sharing the HEART of remembrance

Thanks for sharing the Angel Fire Memorial with us. If you are ever in northeast New Mexico, don’t miss visiting the memorial, museum, and veterans cemetery which has been added since our last visit. You can also visit nearby Taos and the Taos Pueblo.

Thank you for reading this post. Please follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr Aletha 

A true-life Vietnam Veteran served as the inspiration for this novel about a lost veteran who found his way home. I reviewed it in this post.

REVENANTS-The Odyssey Home: a book review

Most people know and understand what war does to countries- changing boundaries, toppling governments, destroying infrastructure, wasting the land, bankrupting economies. Revanants speaks to the human cost for communities, families, and individuals-driving families apart, killing dreams, interrupting plans, wounding bodies and emotions, and destroying hope. On a global scale, war may be justified but in…

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