Local American Legion Post swears in new members

Photo courtesy Roy Vega
American Legion Mullins-Nickerson Post 108 Commander David Lopez swears in three new members to the post on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Left to right are David Lopez, Kenny Rogers, Logan Gholson and Mel Martinez. Mullins-Nickerson Post 108 was organized and established on Feb. 18, 1920.

By Roy Vega

Special to The SUN

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, American Legion Mullins-Nickerson Post 108 Commander David Lopez (retired Navy captain) swore in three new members.

Kenny Rogers, master sergeant, Air National Guard (retired) saw combat in Vietnam, where he served with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Rogers was with local resident Sgt. Jose Manzanares when he was killed in action on Jan. 10, 1968.

Logan Gholson served four years in the Army, including a combat deployment to Al Asaad Province in western Iraq as a forward observer with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

Mel Martinez was with Patton’s 3rd Army in the invasion of France, the liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. Martinez is 92 years old.

The American Legion is proud to add these war veterans to its long and proud roster.

Mullins-Nickerson Post 108 of Pagosa Springs was organized and established on Feb. 18, 1920. The name pays tribute to two local men who perished in the service of their country. Lester W. Mullins was killed in action in the WWI Battle of Belleau Wood near the Marne River in France in 1918. Joseph Nickerson endured the Battan Death March in the Philippines in WWII and perished there in 1943.