American Legion Department Commander Tom Flores and representative members of American Legion Post 9, American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion Riders came to the La Junta Tribune-Democrat office to present the 2016 Media Award for Small Market Newspaper on Monday. The award read:
"Presented to La Junta Tribune-Democrat, Candi Hill, Publisher/Editor and Bette McFarren, Reporter
"Your abilities to report on all of the important events in your communities is remarkable. Of particular note is the special coverage your paper gave to numerous American Legion Riders events. Your support of the SSG Justin Lee Vasquez and the Ashley Rochelle Able Memorial Poker Runs did much to remind our citizens of the sacrifices of our veterans. Because of the coverage given, the Legion Riders Community Bike Inspection Day and the Wayne Kash Memorial Toy Run and Dance were successful.
"Thank you for 'making a difference' in the lives of our veterans, our families and our communities."
The award was originally presented on Jan. 23 at Longmont, Colorado, by Department Commander Tom Florez, Department Adjutant Charles Pat Smith and Public Relations Chairman Darrell Myers. Jody Bracy, who does publicity for American Legion Post 9, submitted all the information to the committee for this award. She writes, "Congratulations on your award and thank you for all you do for the American Legion and the community."
"This is a great honor," Hill said. "We appreciate the partnership we have with our local groups and appreciate their willingness to share with us their events, honors and activities. All aspects of our community, including the newspaper, will continue to be strong because of the dedication of our local veterans and their continued service to our community."
Jody Bracy collected the information and said the LJTD ran nearly 50 print articles and a number of online articles.
The nomination letter read:
"The La Junta Tribune-Democrat is always willing to cover any American Legion Post 9 event or the Post's work in the community. The La Junta Tribune-Democrat also keeps the community well informed when there is a major event such as the flooding in the lower Arkansas Valley this year. It is an effective and informative resource that keeps the community well informed as to what the American Legion is doing in and for the community. For example, numerous articles about the American Legion Riders Post 9 support of the SSG Justin Lee Vasquez Memorial Poker Run and the Ashley Rochelle Abel Memorial Poker Run and the SSG Justin Vasquez Memorial Bridge dedication were published which kept the community well informed about the events. These events are very dear to the hearts of the American Legion Riders Post 9 members as both SSG Justin Vasquez and Ashley Abel were the children of members of the Post 9 Riders. Auxiliary/Riders member Vicki Bosley is the mother of SSG Justin Vasquez. Legion/Auxiliary/Riders member Jody Bracy is the mother of Ashley Rochelle Abel. The American Legion Riders Community Bike Inspection Day and the receiving of the official charter, as well as the American Legion First Responders Barbecue and election of area people to the Department of Colorado positions were well covered as well as Memorial Day, 9/11 and Veterans Day activities in the community. Bette McFarren is an outstanding reporter and is exemplary in her coverage of the Post 9 events. Bette ensures the events she covers are also published in other area newspapers like the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette and the Bent County Democrat, Ordway New Era and the Fowler Tribune. Candi Hill is meticulous in her coverage also. Bette McFarren ensured that the American Legion Post 9's efforts to support the Wayne Kash Memorial Bikers Toy Run and Toy Dance were well publicized."
