The City of Carlsbad officially dedicated the new Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center Friday with speeches and a ribbon cutting.
Ruiz received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor directly from President Harry S. Truman in 1945 during the battle of Okinawa in World War Two. His military service continued through the Korean War, said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway.
“We’re honored to name our senior center after him as a way of recognizing his personal contributions as well as the contributions of all of our veterans,” Janway said.
Carla Ruiz, his daughter, was the keynote speaker during the dedication ceremony.
Alejandro Ruiz, a Loving native, died in 2009 and was inducted into the Carlsbad Hall of Fame in 2017.
Carlsbad Municipal Schools donated the former Pate Elementary School to the City of Carlsbad. The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) approved the donation and transfer in 2018.
The City of Carlsbad moved senior citizens operations from the former San Jose Senior Center more than three months ago to the center at 120 Kircher Street.
More on Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center
More:City of Carlsbad releases plans for movement of senior citizen services
More:Carlsbad gets $752K for phase two renovations of new senior center
More:City Council approves $35K grant for freezer for new senior center
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at [email protected] or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
