A Tribute To Excellence in Military Service
76th LULAC National Convention
Little Rock, Arkansas
June 30th, 2005

Left to Right - upper level
Sergeant Major Henry Chico-Villanueva, US Army
Sergeant Angela A. Duran, US Marine Corps Reserves
Master Sergeant Juan M. Rosales, US Army Reserves
Senior Master Sergeant Jose Luis Franco, US Air National Guard
Major Luis Fermin de Orbegozo, US Army National Guard
Chief Petty Officer Richard Aguilar, US Navy

Left to Right - lower level
Staff Sergeant Simon J. Sandoval, US Marine Corps
Petty Officer First Class Harold R. Varner III, US Naval Reserves
Petty Officer First Class Mark A. Seguin, US Coast Guard Reserves
Master Sergeant Scott C. Loescher, US Air Force
Lieutenant Commander Juan Lopez, US Coast Guard

United States Army Reserves

Master Sergeant Juan M. Rosales

Master Sergeant Juan M. Rosales distinguished himself by meritorious service as a Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist in the 90^th Regional Readiness Command. He has been overwhelmingly successful in overseeing equipment maintenance, supply operations, transportation and services, food service, standard Army maintenance, information systems automation and a $30 million budget in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism. His steadfast efforts ensured that over 20,000 pieces of equipment, ranging from large engineer equipment to individual weapons, were brought up to “fully mission capable status” in time to accompany deploying units. As the Command’s Equal Opportunity Advisor, MSG Rosales performs diversified equal opportunity functions at the Regional Support Command level.  He organized and conducted training sessions on equal opportunity, unlawful discrimination, prevention of sexual harassment, prevention of Sexual Assault, and the Consideration of Others programs.  The distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Rosales reflect credit upon himself, the United States Army Reserves, and the Department of Defense
 

United States Army

Sergeant Major Henry Chico-Villanueva

Sergeant Major Henry Chico-Villanueva distinguished himself by meritorious service as Support Operations Sergeant Major for the 3d Corps Support Command (COSCOM), V Corps, Germany.  In this capacity, he served in both OPERATIONS IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.  Displaying great courage and mission focus, he personally led an eight-man team on several reconnaissance missions into enemy territory, by ground and air, to identify the location of high-value, non-mission capable equipment requiring retrograding. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in planning, coordinating, and executing the relocation of his V Corps integrated headquarters over 700 Kilometers without a single accident or injury to his subordinates.    Furthermore, he spearheaded the delivery of critical repair parts to an Attack Helicopter Regiment after the majority of its aircraft sustained combat damage.  The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Major Chico-Villanueva reflect credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Navy

Chief Petty Officer Richard Aguilar

Chief Petty Officer Richard Aguilar distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving aboard the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS HENRY M. JACKSON  (SSBN-730).  Chartered to coordinate and oversee work on the largest Ballistic Missile Submarine overhaul ever attempted, he manages a budget in excess of 210 million dollars and over 510,000 man-days of scheduled work.  Embracing the Navy’s approach that education is essential to the continued success of its enlisted ranks, Chief Aguilar encourages his subordinates to join him in continued education.  Consequently, seventy percent of his division is enrolled in advanced education, which is more than any other division within the command. A true citizen-warrior, he has devoted tireless effort to bettering his neighborhood and surrounding community. He maintains qualifications as an Independent Duty Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and he is a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician.   The distinctive accomplishments of Chief Petty Officer Aguilar reflect credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Naval Reserves

Petty Officer First Class Harold R. Varner III

Petty Officer First Class Harold R. Varner III distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to Naval Beach Group One, where he volunteered to mobilize in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.  As Watch Officer for the commander of Marine Preposition Forces, he tracked the progress of offloading five ships carrying marine equipment to combat the war on terrorism.  Upon return from the desert, he developed a model training program that was utilized during four major unit communications exercised.  Due to his expertise, he was the only reserve trainer requested, by name, for this active duty exercise.  Diligently serving his community, he coaches and serves on the board of directors for a local little league organization. Additionally, he unselfishly gives his personal resources and time to make his community a more positive place for kids to learn and play.  He is a dedicated member of the Chamber of Commerce, a CEO of his own painting business (where he employs 65 workers and 7 subcontractors), and avidly raises funds to support community youth activities for under privileged children.  His steady spirit of volunteerism led to him being awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.  The distinctive accomplishments of Petty Officer First Class Varner, reflect credit upon himself, the United States Naval Reserves, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Marine Corps Reserves

Sergeant Angela A. Duran

Sergeant Angela A. Duran distinguished herself by meritorious service while assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 4^th Force Service Support Group, Marine Forces Reserve.  She was instrumental in the effective activation and mobilization of over 1000 Marines in Support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.   Her single-handed screening and correction of deficiencies in every service record ensured timely pay and benefits to each deployed Marine’s family.  Additionally she keenly tracked and accounted for over 900 Marines from the start of the deployment until they returned to their Marine Reserve Training Centers in seven separate geographical locations.  Not only is she committed to being a top-notch warrior; she is also devoted to bettering her surrounding community.  She is a front-running fundraiser for the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund, a leader in the Marine Corps Youth physical fitness program, and she delivers positive messages to school students about the role she played in a combat environment.  The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Angela Duran reflect credit upon herself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Marine Corps

Staff Sergeant Simon J. Sandoval

Staff Sergeant Simon J. Sandoval distinguished himself by meritorious service during two combat deployments in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.  In August 2004, his platoon was caught in the “kill zone” of a coordinated enemy ambush.  Displaying unparalleled competence, he was able to orient the platoon’s weapon fires upon the enemy to prevent collateral damage and civilian casualties. Later the same month, he evacuated a Marine who had been shot in the neck by enemy sniper fire.  After the Marine was shot, Staff Sergeant Sandoval led the casualty evacuation team with the wounded Marine to a “pick up point” while still under enemy fire.  He ensured the wounded Marine was loaded up in an armored vehicle before worrying about his own personal safety or tending to his own injuries. For his continued actions and selflessness while serving in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device.  Additionally, for injuries he sustained from enemy Rocket Propelled Grenade fire, he was awarded the Purple Heart by the President of the United States. In addition to superb performance in uniform, he is also devoted to his community, where he spends several hours speaking to at-risk high school students.  His motivational deliveries garnered acclaim from Delano, CA media outlets,  and his tireless efforts led the Delano, CA Mayor proclaiming October 4 as Staff Sergeant Simon Sandoval Day.  The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Sandoval reflect credit upon himself, the Unites States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Air Force

Master Sergeant Scott C. Loescher

Master Sergeant Scott C. Loescher distinguished himself by meritorious service as Battalion Air Liaison Officer to the 1^st Armored Division, 1^st and 2d Brigade Combat Teams during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. In this capacity, he led 11 Airmen in five teams, guiding them safely through more than 5,000 square miles of Iraqi cities and desert with zero friendly casualties.  He was responsible for planning and executing close air support for operations that prevented an insurgency in Karbala.  Additionally, he was among the first to control the (unmanned) MQ-1 Predator in the close air support role using the Remote Operations Video Enhancement Receiver to successfully engage enemy fighters and provide air cover for cordon-and-search operations.  These operations led to the capture of 26 insurgents and three weapons caches, as well as prevented mortar attacks from being launched against American bases. A recognized role model for his peers and subordinates, he has earned a reputation as an airpower expert.  The distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Loescher reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Coast Guard Reserves

Petty Officer First Class Mark A. Seguin

Petty Officer First Class Mark A. Seguin distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving at Marine Safety Office, Port Arthur.  Serving as a boat crewman and boarding officer, he amassed 498 underway hours during 98 boat sorties, protecting 50 visiting U.S. naval vessels and over 41,000 pieces of military cargo carried for our troops overseas.  His performance was so superb that he was chosen as the lead petty officer for the unit’s new 12-person Maritime Domain Awareness and Law Enforcement Branch. He quickly justified his selection by handling a policy change that increased the number of offshore security boardings by more than 500%, which became one of the nation’s highest security boarding activity levels.  After hours, MK1 Seguin is an active volunteer with the Childlife Program, which promotes visits to children who are hospitalized.  Additionally he devotes much time and energy to the Partnership in Education program in his community.  The distinctive accomplishments of Petty Officer First Class Seguin reflect credit upon himself, the United States Coast Guard Reserves,  the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Coast Guard

Lieutenant Commander Juan Lopez

Lieutenant Commander Juan Lopez distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to Coast Guard Air Station, Miami, Florida.  As an HH65 Dolphin helicopter pilot at the “Busiest Air Sea Rescue Unit in the World” he played a vital role securing our borders from pervasive transnational threats, while also protecting our fragile ocean ecosystems and those individuals occupying the waterways for recreation or commerce. Throughout the Caribbean basin, operating in extreme weather off Coast Guard cutters, he flew over 315 deployed flights during demanding rescue missions.  Additionally, as the on-scene commander for many of his 71 maritime law enforcement missions, he astutely balanced international sensitivities with the specific strategic demands articulated in the President’s Homeland Security Directives.  His efforts ensured the highest probability of success in deterring terrorist activity, interdicting illegal narcotics, and stemming the flood of undocumented migrants enroute to our shores. Furthermore, his extraordinary commitment to the global community was evidenced through his work as founder and chairman of “Deeds of Love”, an international charitable organization working to improve critical family services in impoverished countries.   The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Commander Lopez reflect credit upon himself, the United States Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Air National Guard

Senior Master Sergeant Jose Luis Franco distinguished himself by meritorious service as Superintendent, Avionics Element, 102d Fighter Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.  He was heavily involved in creating the Charter for the Massachusetts Diversity Group, which is an organization comprised of members and employees who represent a cross-section of the Massachusetts National Guard work force.  The purpose of the Group is; to establish and integrate Special Emphasis programs, develop action goals for these programs, review and analyze work force statistical data, actively participate in the development and implementation of the Affirmative Employment and Action Plans, and advise the Adjutant General of Massachusetts on work force trends and factors concerning equal employment.  His involvements in the community includes coaching girls’ soccer, presiding over the Pop Warner Football Program, and being assistant coach for a high school varsity girls softball team.  The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Master Sergeant Franco reflect credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the Department of Defense.
 

United States Army National Guard

Major Luis Fermin de Orbegozo distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the 39^th Infantry Support Battalion, Arkansas Army National Guard.  Displaying selfless dedication to his country, he voluntarily served a six-month, unaccompanied tour attached to SOUTHCOM as The Commander’s Activity Coordinator at the United States Embassy Military Group in Guatemala City, Guatemala.  Shortly after his return to the United States, he was called to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He spent 12 months in Taji, Iraq serving as an Environmental Science Officer.  For his tireless and superb performance in the deployed theater, he was awarded the coveted Bronze Star.  He is deeply involved in the Hispanic community and works with the Governor’s Hispanic Liaison to promote cultural awareness and address health risks and needs of the Hispanic populace. Furthermore, he translated Recruiting & Retention advertisements and pamphlets into Spanish and appeared on Spanish-speaking radio to promote the National Guard. The distinctive accomplishments of Major de Orbegozo reflect credit upon himself, the Army National Guard, and the Department of Defense.