LULAC, DOD honor citizen warriors at awards breakfast

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AFNS) --  The League of United Latin American Citizens conference and exposition focused on diversity, outreach and military partnership with a co-sponsored Department of Defense Armed Forces Award Breakfast at the Puerto Rican Convention Center here July 16.

LULAC National President Rosa Rosales; Brig. Gen. Antonio Vincens, the adjutant general of the Puerto Rican National Guard; and Clarence Johnson, deputy undersecretary of defense and principal director of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, were among the senior leaders who turned the spotlight on military members from all five branches of service during the annual gala. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Ronald Rábago, assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer in the Acquisition Directorate, delivered the keynote address.

Each of the services nominated citizen warriors "whose activities best support the ideals of duty, honor and country" to receive the LULAC "Excellence in Military Service Award."

The 12 award winners were: 
- Army Lt. Col. Jose Andujar 
- Army Sgt. Maj. Emibel Virella 
- Navy Chief Petty Officer Van-Troi Amin Sibiliamartinez 
- Navy Lt. Cmdr. Reinaldo J. Morrillo 
- Marine Corps Capt. Jose Acevedo 
- Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jose Setien 
- Air Force Reserve Maj. Ruben Garza Jr. 
- Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Luisa Velasco Cabana 
- Army National Guard Sgt. Heather Barajas 
- Air National Guard Master Sgt. Manuel Hernandez 
- Coast Guard Lt. Antonio Donis 
- Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Jimmy L. Rodriquez

Wearing her signature wide-brimmed hat, Ms. Rosales addressed military members with a word of gratitude for their service.

"Thank you to all the men and women who serve so that we can enjoy the rights and the liberties we have today," Ms. Rosales said. "LULAC will always stand proud to partner with the armed forces."

On behalf of the secretary of defense, Mr. Johnson said of the award winners, "They are indeed the embodiment of the high standards that are performed every day by men and women in uniform." 

Mr. Johnson shared what he considers among the Defense Department's greatest virtues. "Certainly a high-quality force has made us strong, but I would submit to you that a high-quality diverse force has made us stronger." 

Admiral Rábago imparted leadership insight to the crowd and award winners. 

"Leadership is personal; develop your own leadership style and apply it through your own lens," he said. "Mentoring is one of the purest forms of leadership ... I encourage all of you to mentor the youngest members of your organizations; it will pay off in the future. Thanks to all of you who seek to make a difference not only in your own lives and organizations, but in your nation's future."

Editor's note: This is the first installment of a three-part series: Air Force makes a difference through LULAC.