COSTILLA COUNTY — The San Pedro Cemetery Committee will honor Civil War Veteran Capt. Jose Maria Sanchez at the cemetery on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Sanchez served during and after the Civil War with Company B, 2nd Regiment of the New Mexico Volunteers at Fort Wingate, N.M., from 1861 to 1866.

Carlos Atencio and Kenneth Gardner of Pueblo, both great-great grandsons of Jose Maria Sanchez spearheaded the efforts to obtain a government headstone for their ancestor who served honorably during the American Civil War.

Sanchez was born in Tome, Valencia County, N.M., in 1818 when New Mexico was then part of New Spain under the Spanish Crown. He was the son of Jose Gregorio de la Trinidad Sanchez and Maria Rita Baca.

The services for Sanchez will begin with a Memorial Mass at the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis at 10 a.m.  He will then be given a military service at the San Pedro Cemetery by an Honor Guard provided by American Legion Post 142 and VFW Post 6101 of San Luis. After military honors at the San Pedro Cemetery, the public is invited to a celebratory luncheon provided by the family at the Circle of Friendship Hall in San Luis. All are welcome.

For more information, call Carlos Atencio at 719 588-0512 or 719-672-4218.