In Las Cruces, home means something

I’ve thought a lot about home the past few weeks.

Not the home where I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma — although I do think of that home often, especially lately – but I mean the broader meaning of home.

Recently, military aircraft brought fallen soldier SFC Antonio Rey Rodriguez home to Las Cruces, where he grew up. He spent most of the past decade half a world away. When he came home it was to his country, his state and his city. And his hometown responded not only to Rodriguez, but also what he represented, showering his memory with honor and dignity as the hearse carrying his body traversed the city.

My friend and former Bulletin editor Brook Stockberger shared the story of his young son Grant, who attends Valley View Elementary, across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary, where Rodriguez’s funeral services took place.

The day before, when Grant learned the students would be allowed to go outside and salute the hearse, Grant insisted he wear his Scout uniform for the occasion. So, mom, Terri Ritter-Stockberger got the uniform washed and ready. Grant believed wearing the uniform “would show respect.”

If you live in a place where even young boys make it a point to show respect and honor at your passing, you have a wonderful place to call home.

At the Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Banquet Feb. 21, the keynote speaker was Virgin Galactic CEO Mike Moses. He discussed what home means, and talked about each of the places he’s lived, starting with growing up in Pittsburgh, chasing a dream of flight and space travel. The dream took him to key locations of America’s space story: Cape Canaveral, Houston, California.

“When it comes to space, New Mexico has historical impact and future destiny,” Moses said. “Space is incredibly difficult, but incredibly rewarding. At Virgin Galactic, we were founded on the principle of customer service. We have a chance to change the world for good.”

As Virgin Galactic employees have moved from California to Las Cruces (and in the process, purchasing $9 million worth of homes), I’ve had a chance to meet a few of them. To a person, just as Moses described, they sincerely feel at home in Las Cruces. For some, it’s an escape from relentless metro traffic. For others it’s an escape from humid weather. For others, it’s an escape to beautiful views and the possibilities of their mission. For all of them, though, the people of Las Cruces are what they point to most.

If you live in a place where you can do amazing work and people treat you as a friend, you have a wonderful place to call home.

At that same banquet, Stephanie Medoff, presented the award for Citizen of the Year. A year prior, she accepted it on behalf of her husband, who was too ill to attend in person. He would pass away two months later. She talked about why her Tony Award-winning husband stayed in Las Cruces, when he could have lived anywhere. Ultimately, she said, he stayed because of the “richness of the hearts” of the people of Las Cruces.

Earlier that Friday night, I had the chance to meet three new people: Darrell Martin, Andrea Kabwasa and Chris Williams. They are three of the four new inductees of the Aggie Sports Hall of Fame.

I had arrived at the reception in hopes of visiting the one inductee I was familiar with: former NMSU basketballer Wendell McKines, one of my favorite Aggie hoopsters ever. Travel connections, however, had delayed McKines’ arrival.

Instead, I visited with Martin, who was one of NMSU’s track and field greats, a sprinter; Kabwasa, one of the greatest-ever NMSU women’s basketball players, with a complete game; and Williams, an Aggie footballer who has played in the NFL and starred in the Canadian Football League.

Unlike McKines, imposing at 6-6, 230, and always vocally entertaining, Martin, Kabwasa and Williams were each about 5-8, still in good shape, and very low-key.

Kabwasa has had an unexpected odyssey in her post student-athlete days. She’s earned additional degrees to augment her NMSU bachelor’s, and has worked in art, nonprofits and now teaches special education in Los Angeles. She has a wonderfully calm peace about her, belying the energy and command she displayed on the basketball court.

I only got to see Williams in one game as an Aggie, but last week I watched on YouTube a five-minute highlight reel of his 2012 season in the CFL, scoring touchdowns every way possible including – something that could only happen on the extended field of the Canadian game – a 121-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He made uncatchable catches and unbelievable moves and bursts of speed to elude tackles. In short, he was a monster. That made meeting him in person a shocker. I’m no athlete at all, but at 6-2, 180, I had about 6 inches and 25 pounds on Williams. He speaks very softly and very articulately, and if you encountered him on a city street and were challenged to guess his occupation, pro football player probably wouldn’t be in your top 50 guesses.

They were genuinely humbled to be named inductees, and even though each only lived in Las Cruces for a short while, they were sincerely grateful for their time as NMSU athletes, and how it helped them become the people they are.

If you live in a place where you are presented with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, make lifelong friendships, and receive a life-changing education, then you have a wonderful place to call home.