Pararescuemen honored with 2015 DEA Maltz Challenge Published March 31, 2015 By Jim Fisher Kirtland Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The ninth annual Drug Enforcement Agency Maltz Challenge reached unprecedented heights in honoring fallen pararescuemen and local military heroes here March 20. The competition at the Kirtland Pararescue and Combat Rescue Gym honored fallen pararescueman Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, as well as Albuquerque native Army Private 1st Class Zachary Lovejoy, an Army paratrooper killed in 2010 in Afghanistan, hailed from Albuquerque. His father, Mike Lovejoy, is a long-time Sandia National Laboratory employee. During the event, which involved nearly 100 participants, the city proclaimed March 23 "PJ Day" in Duke city. Maltz was killed March 23, 2003 in Afghanistan. Roger Newell, the city's liaison for veterans, told an assembled crowd that Albuquerque has a unique bond to the pararescue community. He then read a proclamation signed by Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry that stated: "In honor of the world class Guardian Angels, all of whom were trained here in our beloved Land of Enchantment, we proclaim this day, March 23, in honor of Michael Maltz and all PJs who have not only laid down their lives, but have stood up to serve in this elite force of pararescue." The challenge was a collaboration between the local Drug Enforcement Agency, where Maltz had a surviving brother, and the pararescue school. The crossfit-style competition featured a 400-meter run, pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips and more. Each year, a local fallen military here is chosen to share honors with Maltz. Mike Lovejoy said he appreciates the tribute to his son's memory. "It means the world to us," he said. "We don't want Zack or any of our fallen heroes to be forgotten." Terry Lovejoy, Zachary's mother, agreed. "It's just very special. We're very proud and very thankful that people still remember him and will keep his memory alive," she said. Dozens of students at the pararescue school took part in the event, and the significance of the honors paid to Maltz and Lovejoy was not lost on them, according to Airman 1st Class Marcus McGriff, a student in the PJ School's paramedic program. "The blood that was sacrificed in this career field, for this community and for our country - it means everything. I feel very privileged to be in such a program," he said.