International flavor to Columbus’ Camp Furlong Day
By Marjorie Lilly
<center><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/campfurlong.jpg border=1 align=center alt="Camp Furlong Day has an international flavor"><br><font face="Arial Narrow" color=black size=3></font></center>
<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/PanchoVilla02_001.jpg border=1 align=right hspace=5 Alt="The reasons for Villa's attack are still being debated.">Columbus, NM – A little after 4:00 am on March 9, 1916, the charismatic Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa and hundreds of his “muchachos” crept into the New Mexico border town of Columbus and made their attack. American soldiers at Camp Furlong along with civilians in town, 18 in all, were killed.
The causes of this massacre are still being debated, but the Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus has chosen to celebrate this historical event with a very bi-national celebration on March 8, their 5th annual Camp Furlong Day.
“Each of the state parks has developed over time a ‘signature event’,” says park manager Victor Trujillo. “Because we’re so close to Mexico, this has become our signature event.”
<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/sept-oct-pictures051_000.jpg border=1 align=left hspace=5 alt="Two Mexican folklorico dance groups are coming from Palomas.">The focus of Camp Furlong Day is the parade at about 10 am, followed by music, talks, exhibits, re-enactments, food, crafts, and games for kids. This year the organizers will bring 100 Mexican horses and riders across the border for the parade. Some Mexicans spend several days riding from as far away as Parral in a cabalgata with 300 riders. They ride across the border in the morning and are joined by American riders. “There’s a tremendous turnout from the whole area,” says Sylvia Brenner, heritage educator of the park. ”Everybody gathers at the border.” Riders come from Columbus, Deming, Silver City, and Las Cruces.
During the day two mariachi groups from Hofacket Mid High in Deming will perform, and two Mexican folklorico dancer groups are coming from schools in Palomas. Two groups of American military re-enactors from Texas and California are in the plans, as well as a similar Mexican group from Parral, Chihuahua.
Following the Villa raid, a retaliatory expedition of 10,000 U.S. soldiers led by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing was sent into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. This mission was not successful, but the campaign was important because it was the first time the U.S. army used motorized vehicles (some soldiers were said to have shouted “whoa” when stopping). It was considered a training ground for WWI, in which Pershing played a leading role.
It also was significant because for the first time a squadron of airplanes were used. One of the most anticipated events of the day is a power-point presentation by Dr. Richard O’Connor of San Diego, CA, about the Curtiss JN-3 “Jenny” airplane, whose reproduction hangs in the museum.
For information about events and the RV park call (505) 531-2711. Participants are requested to bring folding chairs.
By Marjorie Lilly
<center><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/campfurlong.jpg border=1 align=center alt="Camp Furlong Day has an international flavor"><br><font face="Arial Narrow" color=black size=3></font></center>
<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/PanchoVilla02_001.jpg border=1 align=right hspace=5 Alt="The reasons for Villa's attack are still being debated.">Columbus, NM – A little after 4:00 am on March 9, 1916, the charismatic Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa and hundreds of his “muchachos” crept into the New Mexico border town of Columbus and made their attack. American soldiers at Camp Furlong along with civilians in town, 18 in all, were killed.
The causes of this massacre are still being debated, but the Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus has chosen to celebrate this historical event with a very bi-national celebration on March 8, their 5th annual Camp Furlong Day.
“Each of the state parks has developed over time a ‘signature event’,” says park manager Victor Trujillo. “Because we’re so close to Mexico, this has become our signature event.”
<img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/sept-oct-pictures051_000.jpg border=1 align=left hspace=5 alt="Two Mexican folklorico dance groups are coming from Palomas.">The focus of Camp Furlong Day is the parade at about 10 am, followed by music, talks, exhibits, re-enactments, food, crafts, and games for kids. This year the organizers will bring 100 Mexican horses and riders across the border for the parade. Some Mexicans spend several days riding from as far away as Parral in a cabalgata with 300 riders. They ride across the border in the morning and are joined by American riders. “There’s a tremendous turnout from the whole area,” says Sylvia Brenner, heritage educator of the park. ”Everybody gathers at the border.” Riders come from Columbus, Deming, Silver City, and Las Cruces.
During the day two mariachi groups from Hofacket Mid High in Deming will perform, and two Mexican folklorico dancer groups are coming from schools in Palomas. Two groups of American military re-enactors from Texas and California are in the plans, as well as a similar Mexican group from Parral, Chihuahua.
Following the Villa raid, a retaliatory expedition of 10,000 U.S. soldiers led by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing was sent into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. This mission was not successful, but the campaign was important because it was the first time the U.S. army used motorized vehicles (some soldiers were said to have shouted “whoa” when stopping). It was considered a training ground for WWI, in which Pershing played a leading role.
It also was significant because for the first time a squadron of airplanes were used. One of the most anticipated events of the day is a power-point presentation by Dr. Richard O’Connor of San Diego, CA, about the Curtiss JN-3 “Jenny” airplane, whose reproduction hangs in the museum.
For information about events and the RV park call (505) 531-2711. Participants are requested to bring folding chairs.