County Magazine

El Paso used to be called Sun City, that is until County Judge Ricardo Samaniego suggested a name change.  

Inspired by his brother, Robert "Chito" Samaniego, El Paso’s first Vietnam War casualty, he believed El Paso County should serve as the best community for veterans and their families, so he led efforts to help the county earn the designation “Veterans Capital of the U.S.A.” 

With the area’s rich military history, large veteran population and connection to Fort Bliss, Samaniego believed it should honor those who served, suggesting a shift to focus on veterans. 

In 2019, the El Paso County Commissioners Court passed a resolution backing the initiative and began conducting research to ensure the county could defend the title. With more than 140 markers throughout the county and several memorials such as Flags Across America, El Paso County established a Veterans Wall of Honor at its courthouse to recognize local veterans’ military service and a Veteran of the Year program to honor ongoing community involvement.  

The county passed a resolution in 2022, with the support of Fort Bliss’ commanding general, Maj. Gen. Jim Isenhower III, declaring itself the Veterans Capital of the U.S.A. In 2023, the National Association of Counties (NACo) named El Paso County an Achievement Award winner for civic education and public information in recognition of the initiative. 

Since then, the county’s efforts to support veterans have not ended. In April of this year, the county and its community partners unveiled veterans memorials in Fabens and Tornillo to honor veterans’ service and sacrifice. 

In addition to memorials, the El Paso County Veterans Service Office coordinates ongoing programs such as special burials for unaccompanied veterans who pass away without known next of kin, which ensures no veteran is laid to rest alone or without honor. The county also offers a bridge program offering temporary employment to service members as they transition out of the military. 

Operation Green Light for Veterans, a NACo program, has provided yet another opportunity for El Paso County to support and raise awareness for veterans. Held each year, Operation Green Light encourages communities, businesses and residents to light buildings and porches green during the week leading up to Veterans Day. 

“Being the Veterans Capital of the U.S.A. brings about a lot of responsibility,” Samaniego said. “It forces us to be better at what we do.” 

El Paso County Veterans Assistance Program Manager and Albuquerque native Antoinette Hunt explained that, like many people who retire from the military from Fort Bliss, she stayed in El Paso because it is a great place to be a veteran. 

Veterans facing challenges such as financial and mental health issues often struggle with navigating resources. Hunt is able to connect veterans with the help they need through the county’s unique partnership with hundreds of nonprofits, local and state and federal veterans service organizations.  

The efforts are paying off. El Paso County boasts strong armed forces recruitment, as local youth see that the community respects service members and veterans.  

Companies including Prudential and Amazon have been attracted to the area as well because of the large population of veterans, who return home with leadership experience and technical skills.  

 “They love the fact that we are the Veterans Capital of the U.S.A.,” Samaniego said.