Defense Latinas praised for distinguished service

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • National Guard Bureau
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Latina role models, including recently confirmed Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor, are important to Hispanics and women in general, said a Connecticut Air National Guard member, who was lauded for her own accomplishments here Sept. 10, 2009.

"She is an inspiration to all of us, especially Hispanic women," said Master Sgt. Lillian Natal. "It doesn't mean that inspiration just started because she took the job. She has been working a long time to get to this point, and finally, she has made the path."

Forging their own paths as Latinas, the National Guard's Natal and Army Spc. Lucia Monreal of the Arizona Army Guard, as well as 10 other outstanding active-duty servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians, were awarded the Latina Distinguished Service Award for their service to the nation by Latina Style Magazine and DOD leaders.

"The contributions of Latinas continue to amaze me," said Robert Bard, the president and chief executive officer of Latina Style Inc. "Military service at this time in our country is something very special."

Defense officials said the annual award goes to those who distinguish themselves in support of the war on terrorism, display the ideals of duty, honor, country, and best epitomize their respective service's core values and citizen-warrior attributes.

"Striving for the diversity we are looking for across the nation and in all of our states; therefore, recognizing the accomplishments of those from ethnic backgrounds is really important to helping that along," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Moisio, the deputy director of the Air Guard, who personally congratulated the National Guard awardees at the ceremony.

Sergeant Natal said she considers herself a representative of the Latina community, rather than an award winner.

"I don't think this is about me, to be honest," she said. "I think I represent all Latina women, it says 'this is for all of us.'"

Sergeant Natal has 13 years of service with Connecticut's 103rd Airlift Wing, and officials said she distinguished herself in her current active-duty tour at the National Guard Bureau's Office of Cultural Leadership and Development in Arlington, Va.

In this position, Sergeant Natal supports the Air Guard's 88 flying wings and its human resources advisors. She also volunteers her support through a long list of community and charitable organizations and foundations, as well as assists homeless and veterans.

"I think there are more opportunities for Latina women now, because of the cultural changes, diversity and changes in leadership," she said.

"I believe Latina women are also more developed now and there's the advantage of being able to attend higher education in the military. There are fewer reasons why we can not get ahead."

Officials also called Sergeant Natal "a role model and a leader" during her deployment as a single mother.

"There weren't very many of us," she said about Hispanic women serving at her wing. "Actually, it motivated me to continue advocating for Latinas. You do not see very many in the military, that's just not within our culture."

Back in Connecticut, she worked with the command and support staff as well as with the personnel and recruiting offices and as a training manager for the operations squadron.

Specialist Monreal could not attend the ceremony, because she is serving in Iraq with the 29th Brigade Support Battalion as a dental specialist.

But officials described her as the "epitome of Citizen-Soldier and professional," adding that "her peers alike distinguish her as a leader and a Soldier with impeccable morale character and can do attitude."

"She embraces the Army's core values in everyday life," said Arizona Army Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Karen Craig.

Other DOD awardees were Army Master Sgt. Erika Gordon, U.S. Army Hawaii; Sandra Gomez of the U.S. Army Acoustic and Networked Sensor Division; Navy Lt. Delmay Cordoa of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute; Angela Bushey of Naval Facilities Engineering Command; Marine Sgt. Vanessa Lopez of the Marine Corps' Facilities Maintenance Division; Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Patterson of the 1st Special Operations Wing; Mary Young of the Air Force Personnel Center; and Coast Guard Cdr. Alicia Vantran of the U.S. Coast Guard Medical Clinic in Washington.