I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas!  Amidst all the blessings of the season, please remember those less fortunate in this difficult economic time.  It is important to keep in our thoughts and prayers the many New Mexicans who find themselves without jobs, or who are struggling to make ends meet.  Please also pray for the safety of our men and women in the armed forces, who are unable to join their families this Christmas.

This holiday season, I am thankful for the many freedoms we enjoy in this great nation, and for the opportunity to serve you in the coming year.  However, I am most grateful for the gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I hope that each one of you will have the opportunity to celebrate, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends.  May you have a merry Christmas and a truly blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

Steve Pearce
 

Today is a day to celebrate, and spend time with our families and neighbors. Since the feast at Plymouth Plantation in 1621, Americans have spent this time of year with those they care about most, and given thanks for everyone and everything they hold dear. This Thanksgiving comes during a very tumultuous time for America. Regardless, we all have much to be thankful for: whether it is a job, a caring friend or family member, or just the blessing of being an American.

As we all gather around the table this year, let's keep in mind our men and women serving overseas, who will not have the privilege of seeing their loved ones on this year. They deserve our gratitude above all else, and our prayers for their safety and swift return from harm's way.

Thank you very much for the awesome trust you have placed in me. May God bless and keep you this holiday season.

Regards,

Steve Pearce

The World War II Memorial is the most recent memorial of all, and I think it was overdue. My dad was in the Army Air Corps during WWII. I thought he never really paid much attention things like that, but when the memorial was finally proposed, he told me, "It's about time." It was one of the few political discussions we ever had. They were all about that long--one or two sentences.

He noticed when the Vietnam Memorial was constructed. And while he did not take issue with that, he recognized the failure of a country to memorialize the sacrifice of so many of his generation. I remember Dad and his service when I see the New Mexico wreath.  

One of the Mini-dramas that plays out in this early time after the election is the office lottery.  The lottery is not my best event. I have only won one: the draft lottery in 1967.  I got free flying lessons and an all expense paid trip to Viet Nam.

The lottery among offices determines if you have 850 sq feet or 1200 sq feet in which to conduct your district operations.  I get to draw with the 4^th term Members.  All the offices with views of the Capitol are gone.  All the offices with 1200+ square feet are gone, and all the offices on the lower floors in Rayburn, the newest and most spacious office building, are gone.

You get the idea…our class is drawing in the lottery on Friday.  The room is packed, boards set up showing the selection of offices left, the event is open to the public.  It looks like the NFL draft, and draws a large crowd.  The crowd cheers when a lucky member draws a low number and they jeer when the helpless victim draws a high number.

On Tuesday afternoon, I went to Bethesda Naval Hospital to visit one of America's true patriots--Juan Dominguez, a Marine from Deming who was severely injured in Afghanistan. He is receiving the best of care, and was in surgery (one of many) yesterday. He is in good spirits. His fiancé, Amanda, is also a Marine from Deming. Fortunately, Amanda and Juan's mother Martha are in Bethesda with him. His father had to return to New Mexico for work recently.
 
Please join me in praying for Juan's recovery and for the safety of his comrades still in combat. Yesterday was the Marine Corps' birthday, today is Veterans Day. Please find a veteran somewhere to hug, and thank for their service. Many, like Juan, have paid a dear price that we might live in freedom and safety.   Let's give them the honor of remembering.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We would not be able to take our message of fiscal restraint and lower taxes to Washington without your tireless efforts, and of course, your votes.

The results on Tuesday showed that the American people want to change what's coming out of Washington. It is time to get our country back on the course to prosperity through lower taxes, less spending, and getting our economy moving again. And it is up to you, the citizens, to hold your elected officials accountable on these issues that affect your day-to- day life.

Again, I would like to thank our supporters for everything they have done over these many months. And to those who did not support our campaign, I look forward to representing you in Washington these next two years, and working to address your needs and concerns. Whether we are Republicans or Democrats, the American people expect us to govern in their interests, and that is my commitment to you.

September 1, 2010

I was making my way toward Las Cruces yesterday when I saw a long time friend along the highway, and stopped to visit with him and his wife. Tom and Pam are ranchers east of Mayhill.  They have endured the rigors of ranching for decades in this very rural part of New Mexico. 

Tom told me yesterday that government regulators had completely wiped out the sheep ranching business in New Mexico. The US Fish and Wildlife Service implemented new regulations that prohibit ranchers from controlling the population of nearby predators, such as mountain lions and coyotes. As a result, Tom and Pam have completely quit raising sheep. Just a year or two ago New Mexico had 20,000 sheep grown and marketed here. Now it is zero. The jobs are gone. 

The revenue to the state is gone. The vitality of our nation’s economy is shrinking and prosperity is disappearing, because of our own government.   

By: Steve Pearce

 Our grandson returned to Arkansas yesterday after spending 2 weeks with Cynthia and me in New Mexico.  About a month ago our granddaughter was with us for a couple of weeks.

We had him tag along to campaign events.  He got to meet Susana Martinez, Matt Chandler and a couple of the other candidates here in New Mexico.

We managed to work in a “couple” of grandson type things.  Joe and Sarah Yue have been long time friends of the family and have watched over our daughter like she was their own, she referred to them as “Uncle Joe and Aunt Sarah”. 

Now, they have a full relationship with our grandkids.  Two or three days Uncle Joe, Preston and I went fishing.

  There were bass and blue gill in abundance.  

 …and “big catfish”.  Preston landed this one.

Preston started this puzzle one night so almost every night our spare minutes found us puzzling over the pieces. 

By: Steve Pearce

The mission of our C-130 unit in country was to fly things around.  We flew food, ammunition, people, vehicles, etc.  We hauled “stuff”.  In the GI vernacular we were trash haulers. 

Two of the most desired commodities were mail ferried in from home and feature films which made their way from one base to the next.  Each small outpost would have its own version of a movie theater so Army and Marine troops would meet the planes with high expectations of what films and mail would be there. 

One day, in late 1971 our crew was on such a mission.  When we hit the ground all 4 of us crew members helped get the cargo off so that our turnaround time was minimal.  It cut the exposure time to both the oppressive heat and to enemies who might want to take advantage of the big slow targets but who would need precious minutes to get themselves in position for our departure.

By: Steve Pearce

In 1971 when my pilot training was complete I was one of two members of class 71-06 at Reese AFB to be assigned as copilots to the 463^rd TAW at Clark AFB.  Most of our missions were out of Cam Rahn Bay AB, Viet Nam.  When we were there  the C-130 detachment was on a side of the base sort of by itself.

The 463^rd TAW also had detachments flying out of Udorn AB, Korat AB, and Ubonn AB in Thailand.  At those bases,  the C-130 crews lived right among the fighter pilots in the detachments permanently assigned to these bases. 

Mixing fighter pilots and transport pilots did not always work.  The go-fast pilots referred to us as “trash haulers”.  It was not a term of endearment.  In fact it was intended to convey that we did not really belong in their esteemed company.  We obligingly referred to them as “fighter pukes.”