“I have seen our veterans and active-duty military start PGA HOPE as strangers and leave as friends,” Hon said. “I’ve seen a veteran during the first class stand aside by himself, just listening and taking in the lay of the land. By the third week, he joined in on a conversation, confused because it felt quite normal to share with the other veterans. By the end of the program, he was laughing and cutting up like one of the boys, unconditionally accepted. It’s in that moment he wasn’t thinking of the past, not feeling the elephant on his back, he was living in the moment and the start of many tomorrows.”

Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel “Manny” Gonzales III devoted his adult life to the service of our country and community.

He is a veteran, having served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. Striving to professionally develop himself, he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management with minors in Occupational Education with a specialization in Law Enforcement. A graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Executive Institute. In 2020, he was appointed by Attorney General William Barr to serve on the President’s Commission of Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.

My greatest passions are my faith in God, love of country and family.

Mr. Anastasi, a veteran of the US Navy Seabees with two tours in Vietnam, has dedicated over 50 years to the real estate industry, where his educational foundation includes studies at the City University of New York, Bernard M. Baruch School of Business, BBA in Marketing, New York Institute of Finance and New York University Real Estate Continuing Education Programs. He has also made a significant impact through his service on several influential boards, including Co-chair of Rio Rancho School Bonds Committee, appointed by Governor Richardson to Business Advisory Board and Task Force, Co-chair of Board of Directors of Association Commerce and Industry Water, Vice President, Board of Directors of Conservation Technology Institute, and Commissioner and Chairman of Rio Rancho Water Utility Commission. Introduced to PGA HOPE by the VA, he discovered renewed camaraderie and vital physical, mental, and spiritual benefits after joining the program. Now retired at 76, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters who work in the medical field.

“Playing golf has been a passion of mine since I was young. The first time I ever encountered golf was in Snyder, Texas. My mother used to drop me off at the country club in Snyder and I would play golf with hand-me-down steel shaft clubs covered with chipped plastic. The 3 wood had a wooden shaft and the same for my putter. Cut up golf balls completed my golfing gear. The wind always blew in West Texas – we didn’t know anything different. We moved to Farmington, NM when I was 13 years old in 1956. After a year in college in 1962, I joined the United States Airforce and became a crew chief on a B-52. After the Airforce, I worked for an oilfield service company for 25 years and then a fuel and oil supplier for 15 years, and eventually became a partner in a local propane company. Currently I am retired and have been married to my wife, Beth, for twenty-eight years. Along with volunteering for First Tee, I especially enjoy promoting PGA Hope and finding veterans to go through the Farmington Program.”