Presenting the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center
For Immediate Release:
June 7, 2008
PRESENTING THE RAYMOND G. MURPHY VA MEDICAL CENTER
ALBUQUERQUE– Today New Mexicans welcomed the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center into United States and New Mexico history. The heroic actions of a young Marine on a battlefield in Korea and his subsequent exemplary career in the service of veterans has culminated in the rededication of the Albuquerque VA Medical Center as the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center.
Raymond G. Murphy was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea. He was decorated by President Eisenhower in a White House ceremony on October 27, 1953. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Captain Murphy was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Korean Service, 2 Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service and the National Defense Service Medals.
Following his service in the Marines, Jerry Murphy moved to New Mexico where he began work with the Albuquerque VA Regional Office. He served for 20 years and became the Chief of Veterans Services. Following retirement, Mr. Murphy became a NMVAHCS volunteer and served as an escort and at the information desk of the Albuquerque VA Medical Center. Many veterans never knew that the volunteer pushing his or her wheelchair was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Captain Murphy passed away on April 6, 2007 and was buried not in his military uniform, but in his NMVAHCS Volunteer smock.
Legislation to rename the Albuquerque VA Medical Center was co-sponsored by Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman in January 2007 and was strongly supported by the various veteran organizations and the New Mexico State Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Representatives Tom Udall, Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce championed the companion bill in the House of Representatives. President George W. Bush signed the legislation on July 5, 2007.
The rededication/renaming ceremony took place on a perfect sunny morning in the courtyard of the medical center campus. The drive leading to the event was lined with American flags and approximately 600 guests were in attendance. The Master of Ceremonies was George Marnell, Director of the NMVAHCS. Speakers included Ross Perot, members of the Congressional delegation, the State Veterans Services Secretary, Mary Ann and Tim Murphy, Susan P. Bowers, Network Director, VA Southwest Health Care Network, Louise Van Diepen, MS, Chief of Staff, Veterans Health Administration, and Alfonso R. Batres, PhD, MSSW, Chief Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, VHA.
Following the ceremony, a statue in Mr. Murphy’s likeness was unveiled by sculptor, Reynaldo Rivera. Mr. Rivera was commissioned to sculpt the Raymond G. Murphy by the Ross Perot Foundation.
