La Junta Veteran Tom Pulido Remembered for a Life of Kindness, Truth and Service

Description: The La Junta community honors veteran Tom, whose kindness, patriotism and simple acts of compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Read the Full Letter from the American Legion...


Published: 07/13/2026
Byline: SECO News

Some people spend their entire lives trying to change the world.

Tom simply changed the world around him.
 
He wasn't rich. He wasn't a celebrity or someone whose name would be be found in history books. He was just a man from La Junta, a veteran who genuinely loved people... and his country. Every smile, every wave, every salute... it was effortless for him. He probably never realized that those small moments became part of someone else's day... part of someone else's memories.
 
These are a few moments from Tom's service. It was a private ceremony for his family and fellow members of the American Legion, but we wanted to share a small glimpse with the community that loved him so much.
 
Sometimes I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to do something big with our lives... when maybe the biggest impact comes from the smallest things we do every single day.
 
Tom reminded me that it doesn't matter where you've been. It doesn't matter what your past looks like. What matters is where you're going... and how you choose to love the people standing right in front of you.
 
Before Tom passed away, someone asked him, "If you could leave the world with one message, what would it be?"
 
Tom said:
 
"Don't lie. It leaves a mark on your heart. Tell the truth, because you know and God knows. When you tell the truth, everything plays out how it's supposed to."
 
I can't think of a more fitting message to leave behind.
 
Tom didn't need a stage to make a difference. He didn't need recognition or applause. He simply chose kindness every day, and somehow that was enough to leave footprints that will outlast all of us.
 
Maybe that's the lesson.
Being kind is a simple choice.
The world doesn't always need bigger heroes.
Sometimes it just needs more Toms.

What an honor it was to know Tom

Related Content

Thomas R. Pulido Obituary


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Photos by Kerri Tomlin



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