A New Life for The Bull Riders' Wife
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A New Life for the Bull Riders' Wife
Monte Apodaca Memorial Fund
Monte “Bull Rider” Apodaca was My World, My Life! I am Linda his wife and now I’m devistating alone…..a widow.
Almosta Farm
We bought our little 3 acre property and build a small ranch home just under 1 year ago. I wanted a big front porch and deck which enhanced our spectacular 360 degree views.
Those were highlighted by the occational visits by elk, deer and turkey. Monte got his garage and tool storage area within. We had some chickens, ducks and a couple of hogs. We even started selling the eggs to the local co-op. Our life together that we had dreamed of for 24 years had come true. And only GOD knows why, it was gone in a instant. I lost my Monte on August 8th, 2020 in a tragic farm accident at our Almosta Farm outside of Mora, NM.
Monte was thrilled at my being let go from my job less than a year ago after 15 years because he wanted me to retire. We could barely make it but make it we did on his small pension from the state, social security and his VA disability and my small social security. Now, I find myself unable to even make the mortgage payments. Since he was only 60% on VA Disability, I’m intitled to “0”, along with 1/2 of his small state pension. The house is up for sale. Not only because I can no longer afford it but emotionally I could not stay……it was OURS not mine. Too many memories build in less than a year on the property. Needing every penny I can get right now, I sold much of what we had on the farm for whatever I could get. Moving in temporarily with my 94 year old father in Albuquerque feels like going back in time. I need to hopefully find work (? at my age) so I will have some income. Hopefully within time, I can move closer to my brother & sister in the Denver area and TRY to start A New Life.
Gentlemen Farmer
As a gentlemen farmer, he loved helping many of his neighbors in the area doing repair work on everything from their vehicles to tractors. He never asked or expected anything in return for his labors. Monte volunteered with the Sapello-Rociada volunteer fire department for 2 years. He was chosen Surgeon for the Mora VFW. Monte joined the Veterans Healing Waters in 2018 and enjoyed many of the fishing adventures. Monte was a disabled veteran whom always GAVE HIS ALL while pushing through his own debilitating pain so he could help others. He loved to ride bikes, fish, hunt and peacefully watch his chickens.
Proud Army Veteran
Monte was an Army Veteran and a very proud one. Monico (Monte) Apodaca grew up in Questa, NM. He loved riding motorcycles. His kick start bike started bucking every time he started it. He got his nickname “Bull Rider” by always holding on. Monte enlisted in the Army in August 1969 and separated in April 1972. It was what he did for Veteran’s after his service that honors those who served. He was a hard man to know but the most loving man. He wanted respect and gave that respect back in spades. He trained in the Army as a Vehicle Mechanic along with many other things. Being a Master Diesel Mechanic became his life. We even owned a business repairing city equipment until a recession bankrupt us because businesses couldn’t pay their bills. He became a DOT Supervisor with the State of NM, where he retired after 5 years.
Monte's Passion
Monte’s true passion (which quickly became mine as well) was involving himself with all Veterans. Monte first met up with Run For The Wall in Williams, AZ in 2000. He immediately found comfort among his brothers and volunteered his help for the next 14 years. Monte served as a Road Guard for RFTW for 8 years. During his service with RFTW, Monte had the High Honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some of his passions were as follows.
Run For The Wall: New Mexico State Coordinator for 10 years. Organized veterans lodging, meals and travel in New Mexico. Helped Veterans with PTSD issues, located help for their disability claims and provided them with contacts for all their needs.
For her University of New Mexico graduate work, Susan Moczygemba-McKinsey interviewed Monte and other veterans for her 2004 Masters' thesis: Seeking Redemption: The Run for the Wall. Referred to as Bull Rider, Monte spoke of his dedication to his brother vets who made this annual cross-country motorcycle trek to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Their safety was in his hands and he took that responsibility very seriously.
Run For The Wall Reunion Organizer and Founder: Volunteer for 20 years coordinating the yearly reunion in Angle Fire, NM by helping provide lodging, meals, activities and help with veteran’s needs.
NERTPO NorthEast Regional Transportation Planning Organization NMDOT
David Westphall Veterans Foundation: Board Member and Volunteer Life Member helping veterans with contact information for any issue that may be of need. Member since 1998.
Patriot Guard Rider: And Ride Captain for 3 years.
Wellness and Healing of Angle Fire: Volunteer for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Vietnam Veterans State Park: Volunteer
Veterans Memorial: Volunteer and Secretary for the planning and designing of the Veterans Memorial in Mora, NM
Honor Flights for WWII Veterans: Meet & Greet Volunteer in Colorado
Folds of Honor: Volunteer and participant in Annual Golf Tournament
Monte was laid to rest at the Angle Fire State Veterans Cemetery on August 26th, 2020. We were escorted from Mora to Angle Fire by more than 25 Patriot Guard Riders. He was given Full Military Funeral Honors and committal service with an Honor Guard from Ft. Bliss, TX and an Honor Guard from Santa Fe, NM. This fundraiser Monte Apodaca Memorial Fund is for me Linda Apodaca. My brother (Monte’s brother from another mother) helped me decide to pursue this and write Monte’s story. The funds will be used to pay my $250k mortgage while I attempt to sell the house , the RV ($75k of RV payments), moving and basic living expenses. I want to get a job and start saving. Hopefully I can save enough to afford a small place of my own in the Denver area close to my family there. I hope we are successful with our fundraising. I would love nothing more than to raise more than I personally need so I could donate to many of the organizations Monte and I are passionate about.
Thank you for reading about my Monte. Please share this link via Facebook, Twitter, Email, Messaging or any other way. Thank You in advance for any donation you can make. Nothing is too small so please help me start A New Life. God Bless you all……Linda Apodaca, The Bull Riders' Wife.
Monte Apodaca Memorial Fund
Monte “Bull Rider” Apodaca was My World, My Life! I am Linda his wife and now I’m devistating alone…..a widow.
Almosta Farm
We bought our little 3 acre property and build a small ranch home just under 1 year ago. I wanted a big front porch and deck which enhanced our spectacular 360 degree views.
Those were highlighted by the occational visits by elk, deer and turkey. Monte got his garage and tool storage area within. We had some chickens, ducks and a couple of hogs. We even started selling the eggs to the local co-op. Our life together that we had dreamed of for 24 years had come true. And only GOD knows why, it was gone in a instant. I lost my Monte on August 8th, 2020 in a tragic farm accident at our Almosta Farm outside of Mora, NM.
Monte was thrilled at my being let go from my job less than a year ago after 15 years because he wanted me to retire. We could barely make it but make it we did on his small pension from the state, social security and his VA disability and my small social security. Now, I find myself unable to even make the mortgage payments. Since he was only 60% on VA Disability, I’m intitled to “0”, along with 1/2 of his small state pension. The house is up for sale. Not only because I can no longer afford it but emotionally I could not stay……it was OURS not mine. Too many memories build in less than a year on the property. Needing every penny I can get right now, I sold much of what we had on the farm for whatever I could get. Moving in temporarily with my 94 year old father in Albuquerque feels like going back in time. I need to hopefully find work (? at my age) so I will have some income. Hopefully within time, I can move closer to my brother & sister in the Denver area and TRY to start A New Life.
Gentlemen Farmer
As a gentlemen farmer, he loved helping many of his neighbors in the area doing repair work on everything from their vehicles to tractors. He never asked or expected anything in return for his labors. Monte volunteered with the Sapello-Rociada volunteer fire department for 2 years. He was chosen Surgeon for the Mora VFW. Monte joined the Veterans Healing Waters in 2018 and enjoyed many of the fishing adventures. Monte was a disabled veteran whom always GAVE HIS ALL while pushing through his own debilitating pain so he could help others. He loved to ride bikes, fish, hunt and peacefully watch his chickens.
Proud Army Veteran
Monte was an Army Veteran and a very proud one. Monico (Monte) Apodaca grew up in Questa, NM. He loved riding motorcycles. His kick start bike started bucking every time he started it. He got his nickname “Bull Rider” by always holding on. Monte enlisted in the Army in August 1969 and separated in April 1972. It was what he did for Veteran’s after his service that honors those who served. He was a hard man to know but the most loving man. He wanted respect and gave that respect back in spades. He trained in the Army as a Vehicle Mechanic along with many other things. Being a Master Diesel Mechanic became his life. We even owned a business repairing city equipment until a recession bankrupt us because businesses couldn’t pay their bills. He became a DOT Supervisor with the State of NM, where he retired after 5 years.
Monte's Passion
Monte’s true passion (which quickly became mine as well) was involving himself with all Veterans. Monte first met up with Run For The Wall in Williams, AZ in 2000. He immediately found comfort among his brothers and volunteered his help for the next 14 years. Monte served as a Road Guard for RFTW for 8 years. During his service with RFTW, Monte had the High Honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some of his passions were as follows.
Run For The Wall: New Mexico State Coordinator for 10 years. Organized veterans lodging, meals and travel in New Mexico. Helped Veterans with PTSD issues, located help for their disability claims and provided them with contacts for all their needs.
For her University of New Mexico graduate work, Susan Moczygemba-McKinsey interviewed Monte and other veterans for her 2004 Masters' thesis: Seeking Redemption: The Run for the Wall. Referred to as Bull Rider, Monte spoke of his dedication to his brother vets who made this annual cross-country motorcycle trek to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Their safety was in his hands and he took that responsibility very seriously.
Run For The Wall Reunion Organizer and Founder: Volunteer for 20 years coordinating the yearly reunion in Angle Fire, NM by helping provide lodging, meals, activities and help with veteran’s needs.
NERTPO NorthEast Regional Transportation Planning Organization NMDOT
David Westphall Veterans Foundation: Board Member and Volunteer Life Member helping veterans with contact information for any issue that may be of need. Member since 1998.
Patriot Guard Rider: And Ride Captain for 3 years.
Wellness and Healing of Angle Fire: Volunteer for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Vietnam Veterans State Park: Volunteer
Veterans Memorial: Volunteer and Secretary for the planning and designing of the Veterans Memorial in Mora, NM
Honor Flights for WWII Veterans: Meet & Greet Volunteer in Colorado
Folds of Honor: Volunteer and participant in Annual Golf Tournament
Monte was laid to rest at the Angle Fire State Veterans Cemetery on August 26th, 2020. We were escorted from Mora to Angle Fire by more than 25 Patriot Guard Riders. He was given Full Military Funeral Honors and committal service with an Honor Guard from Ft. Bliss, TX and an Honor Guard from Santa Fe, NM. This fundraiser Monte Apodaca Memorial Fund is for me Linda Apodaca. My brother (Monte’s brother from another mother) helped me decide to pursue this and write Monte’s story. The funds will be used to pay my $250k mortgage while I attempt to sell the house , the RV ($75k of RV payments), moving and basic living expenses. I want to get a job and start saving. Hopefully I can save enough to afford a small place of my own in the Denver area close to my family there. I hope we are successful with our fundraising. I would love nothing more than to raise more than I personally need so I could donate to many of the organizations Monte and I are passionate about.
Thank you for reading about my Monte. Please share this link via Facebook, Twitter, Email, Messaging or any other way. Thank You in advance for any donation you can make. Nothing is too small so please help me start A New Life. God Bless you all……Linda Apodaca, The Bull Riders' Wife.
Organizer
Linda Apodaca
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM
