Air Force hosts 36th annual National Image Conference Published May 13, 2008 LAS VEGAS (AFPN) -- Air Force officials recently hosted the National Image Conference in Las Vegas. The theme was "From Heritage to New Horizons." National Image Inc. was founded in 1972 to address the needs of Hispanic employees in the federal government and later was expanded to increase its impact on employment, education and civil rights. The annual conferences are held to provide guidance and leadership to take Hispanic youth and workforce members to new levels, academically and socially, and are an opportunity for thousands of Hispanics to network. They provide exhibit space for government agencies and private businesses to reach the community, a forum for speakers on topics of interest and a job fair to inform the community about employment opportunities. Representatives from different military organizations, including the Air Force Academy, Air Force ROTC, Air Force Recruiting Service and Air Force Reserve Command were available throughout the conference at exhibit booths to discuss available opportunities with their organizations. This year 600 Hispanic students from local high schools attended the conference. "We've always worked with Department of Defense, which is the largest Federal employer, and we definitely want to recruit more Hispanics in the different areas of the Air Force where the opportunities lie," said John Griego, chairman and CEO of National Image Inc. The accomplishments of several service members were recognized at the "Salute to Hispanics in the Military" Awards Banquet. Eight military members, including Lt. Col. Cornelia Weiss, a U.S. Air Forces Europe action officer at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, received the 2008 Meritorious Service Award for outstanding contributions to both the military and Hispanic communities. Colonel Weiss was awarded for her outstanding service as the Plan Columbia staff judge advocate liaison officer in Bogota, Columbia, working for the promotion of human rights in Colombia. "Sometimes you are in positions where you get to directly impact the good of your country and then there are the times where when you indirectly impact the good of your country," said Colonel Weiss. "You might feel you're not on the frontline, but everything you're doing still contributes. In Colombia I got to be on the front line. In different places in life you're doing different things, but you always have to do the very best at what you're doing, because the next day you may be thrown into the front lines and you better be ready." The banquet keynote speaker was Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro, a tactical air control party operator assigned to the 759th Medical Support Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Sergeant Del Toro shared his story of being wounded in combat in Afghanistan. While supporting Operation Enduring Freedom as a joint terminal attack controller in December 2005, Sergeant Del Toro's vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Doctors gave Sergeant Del Toro a 20-30 percent chance of living, he said, and if he survived, doctors said he may never walk again. However, Sergeant Del Toro didn't accept his prognosis. He was determined to heal and learn to walk again. "A lot of you out there might think I've gotten a bad break, but I am honored to have worked with some of the greatest men out there. I have a wife who is my pillar of strength, a son that is my soul. And yeah, I might have gotten a bad break, but I've still got a lot to live for," said Sergeant Del Toro. "Our main goal was to introduce the community to federal agencies and employers and the Air Force had a great role this year in stepping up and making this happen," said Mr. Griego. "I want to thank the Air Force for doing a commendable job." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page