"AREA GUITAR MAKERS HONORED"
October 14, 2005
by Debra Dominguez, Journal Staff Writer

Kirtland outreach committee singles out couple during Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month examines the history of Hispanic immigration to the United States and the contributions Hispanics have made to America. In the case of Albuquerque residents and internationally known guitar makers Lorenzo and Josefina Pimentel, the contributions are many and well worth acclaim, according to Team Kirtland’s Hispanic Leadership Outreach Committee. That’s why the team, which includes Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories and the National Nuclear Security Administration, celebrated Hispanic Heritage this month by honoring the Pimentels.

The couple, whose family includes 11 children, was given the organizations’ first Hispanic Heritage Month Distinguished Honor Award during a celebration Thursday at La Posada Hotel.

“The family has a history of handing down its talents from generation to generation, whether it be through music or guitar making or giving back to the community,” said Nora Armijo, a co-chair of Team Kirtland’s Hispanic Leadership Outreach Committee. Julia DeLaCruz, also a co-chair of the outreach committee, said the group of organizations wanted to honor the couple for what they symbolize. “They represent a successful Hispanic family that’s kept strong a family tradition,” she said. The Pimentels, who along with their sons run Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers Inc. at 3316 Lafayette NE, have not only contributed to the world of music, but have given many guitars to charitable causes or to area youth interested in music. Team Kirtland also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which began Sept. 15 and concludes Saturday, by asking Retired Col. Sid Gutierrez, the first U.S. Hispanic to both pilot and command a space shuttle while working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be the ceremony’s emcee. “It means the world to me and my wife to get this award,” said Lorenzo Pimentel, who added that he just became a U.S. citizen in May because he had previously been too busy trying to make his business internationally known.

“I’ve received awards before,” said Pimentel, who is originally from Ciudad Juarez. He moved his guitar-making business to Albuquerque in1962. “The one, though, I really appreciate because I wasn’t even expecting it,” he said. “It just came to me.”