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Veterans in Socorro and surrounding communities are getting critical support thanks to the efforts of the Forget Me Not Veterans Center. On July 22 the center is hosting a workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. designed to assist eligible veterans and unmarried widows of veterans apply for property tax exemption. Certain disabled veterans may also be eligible for motor vehicle fee tax exemption, as well.
The workshop will have representatives from the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and the Socorro County Assessor’s Office. Daun Medaris advises veterans to arrive with their DD-214, proof of New Mexico residency, and if applicable, their federal award letter verifying service-connected disability.
“We try to help direct veterans to navigate the VA system, because it’s pretty difficult to navigate sometimes,” Medaris said. He co-founded the center in 2024 with his wife Darlene Medaris and Roxanne Scott.
The Veterans Center is volunteer run and open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is part of a triad of services that also includes the Forget Me Not Veterans Park, where tiny homes are being built for unhoused veterans, and the Forget Me Not Thrift Store, operated by Scott. Since March of 2024, the team has assisted 194 veterans, Daun Medaris said.
“We also try to carry the applications in our office for the new Rebecca Dow proposal that was passed by the state where the veterans can get free state park entrance and things like that,” Daun Medaris said. “We carry all those applications in here, or we can direct them.”
Veterans and their families seeking assistance or more information can visit the center during regular hours at 705 D California Street in Socorro, or call the thrift store at 505-980-0370 for details about upcoming events and available resources.
