Commentary: At a time when nationwide controversy surrounds the subjects of immigration and our country’s relationship with our southern neighbor, the Village of Columbus, New Mexico chooses to move forward rather than backward and has invited horseback riders and other friends from Mexico to participate in the 2017 Binacional Cabalgata/Raid Day commemoration.
On Saturday, March 11 we will come together in friendship at this Fiesta de Amistad and remember those killed in Villa’s 1916 Raid. The Columbus Chamber, Village of Columbus, Columbus Historical Society, Pancho Villa State Park and First Aero Squadron are joining forces to make this a historic event to remember.
In March, it will have been 101 years since Pancho Villa attacked the small, sleepy village of Columbus. The battle began shortly after 4 am in the early dawn hours of March 9, 1916 and it lasted for about two hours. U.S. Army soldiers of the 13thCavalry based at Camp Furlong responded to Villa’s attack with gunfire. Daybreak found downtown Columbus in smoldering ruins and when the smoke cleared, 18 Americans (10 civilians and eight soldiers) lay dead. The Commercial Hotel and other businesses were totally destroyed. And an estimated 100-200 of Villa’s men had been killed.
Fifteen years ago a group of Mexicans and Americans joined forces to initiate a different way to commemorate casualties of Villa’s raid and unite borders via the Binacional Cabalgata, a group of 75-300 riders (men, women and some children) who are committed to retracing the Punitive Expedition route General John "Blackjack" Pershing took chasing Villa into Mexico.
From 10 am Saturday, March 11, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring all-day entertainment, activities and vendors in Columbus Plaza. Pancho Villa State Park offers their "Camp Furlong" days, same day and time and the First Aero Squadron will sponsor presentations.
This yearly event actually starts three days earlier at 10 am Wednesday, March 9th with the Columbus Historical Society holding its annual commemorative service south of the Depot Museum in the Memorial Garden.Both the Depot and State Park Museums will be open daily throughout the week and visitors can see many displays and exhibits, or watch a video on the raid.
The Chamber will post information as the event unfolds. Call 575-343-0147; 575-494-1912 or 575-494-0009 or email: columbuschamberofcommerce@yahoo.com