Imagine the State of New York building the “Osama bin Laden State Park” in the footprints of the World Trade Center!
op-ed by BigAddison
Did you know before the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the heroically foiled 3rd target, there was another in Columbus, New Mexico on March 9th, 1916? It was actually the first time foreign terrorists crossed our borders and invaded the continental United States killing soldiers and innocent civilians, looting and burning down nearly half the town.
It’s true, and truth being stranger than fiction, the historical March 9th, 1916 attack took place on the exact spot which is now the crossroads of New Mexico State Highways 9 and 11.
In Columbus, New Mexico on March 9, 1916 Camp Furlong was the headquarters of the 13th U.S. Cavalry under command of Colonel H. J. Slocum. The 13th Cavalry was stretched along the border on outpost duty from Noria to Hermanas on the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad. At least three troops were present during the raid on Columbus, New Mexico by Pancho Villa and his “Villistas”. The hero of the day was Lt. Lucas of the machine gun troop, who while barefoot, set up machine guns in the main area of the town and directed heavy fire against the raiders. His actions inflicted numerous casualties on Villa’s Forces and caused them to retreat back into Mexico.
Almost overnight the camp became a large military installation for protection from other raids and in preparation for a punitive expedition into Mexico to be led by General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing.
The 1916 Punitive Expedition made Columbus, New Mexico one of the most significant military historical sites in America. Among the long list of historical happenings are:
- The Last Ride of the Cavalry in military use.
- The birth place of the U.S. Air force with the 1st Aero Squadron being moved to Columbus and becoming the first Air Force contingency to be used in a foreign campaign.
- The first military use of Tanks under the command of young Lieut. George S. Patton
Despite the Village of Columbus’ enormous historical value and its registry as a National Historical site, Columbus has been all but forgotten in U.S. History, its historical buildings and sites are in disrepair, and the village as a whole is treated like a “Red headed stepdaughter” by the State & U.S. Government.
The State Park named after Pancho Villa is actually the ruins of Camp Furlong, a U.S. Army Base.
You wont find a “Freedom Tower” in Columbus, what you will find is the “Pancho Villa State Park” a State Park named after the terrorist that attacked the town. Can you imagine the State of New York building the “Osama bin Laden State Park” in the footprints of the World Trade Center? Yep, the State of New Mexico named the historical site after the terrorist that attacked it, instead of the iconic American warriors that were dispatched to defend and capture Villa. Names like: General “Blackjack Pershing and General George S. Patton.
Having interviewed David Simon (the Park Ranger in charge of building the Pancho Villa State Park) at the 2024 Outdoor Economic Trade Show in Las Cruces, I learned even he didn’t how the park received such a designation. But, he did remember the controversy. So what’s the story? Good question right? Anybody?
While New York City deserves its rightful place in the history of terrorism brought to American soil, and it deserves the Freedom Tower and all the State and Federal monies to rebuild, and it deserves all the garnered American Patriotism, there is a small village in New Mexico that also deserves the same outrage and response to rebuild and protect its historical significance. Si o no?
For more information visit: www.ColumbusNewMexico.com
