Flaco Guapo Media
Story, photos with permission by Conexión San Ángelo
SAN ANGELO – Five words, “Thank you and welcome home,” is how Goodfellow Air Force Base, Lt. Colonel, Abraham Salomon, 17th Training Group deputy commander, opened his brief remarks to the 18 wounded warriors who were honored for their previous military service. “Hopefully this weekend, you will experience how it feels to be home in San Angelo,” Lt. Col. Salomon said. He also thanked the community for their steadfast support. “Because without a community that supports its military, we are lost and the partnership we have here (Goodfellow Air Force Base) is unparalleled.”
At Thursdays, December 6th annual, “Hunt for Heroes” event, a community, its leaders: Mayor, Brenda Gunter, SAISD, Superintendent, Dr. Carl Dethloff,, etc. and the San Angelo Central High School Mighty Bobcat Band, under the direction of Band Director, Mr. Joey Ashrook, were on hand to show true patriotic colors in spirit--standing with the strong and the brave—besides the wounded warriors, the four branches of the military: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. Ashbrook’s CHS Band played several popular patriotic songs, “God Bless America. One other song, played toward the end was the American military march, “Grandioso.” Instead of a parade, this year’s “HFH” was held at the Bill Aylor, Sr. Memorial Riverstage at 12 noon.
Left-to-right: Juan Rubio, Nay and Nestor Hernandez, US Marines. Rubio served in the Navy for 9 years (1999-208) with several tours to Iraq. Former Marine, Hernandez, served four years from 2007-20011.
One of the best ways all the attendees showed their support and appreciation for their military, was when San Angelo Support for Veterans, Inc. Sonny Cleere founder of the nonprofit and master of ceremonies, stated at the conclusion of the ceremonies.
“At this time, I would like to ask for (our) visiting warriors to please stand and remain standing.” “To the Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell and to the members of the NFL football players who have elected not to stand during our National Anthem . . . ““I say to you, this is the reason why we stand proudly for our National Anthem.”
Below are the names of the 18 wounded warriors who were in attendance for the “Hunt for Heroes.”
Sergeant Justin Bogoyevac Army Georgetown, Texas
Specialist Paul Gonzales, Sr. Army San Antonio, Texas
Sergeant 1st Class Dion Esquivel Army Vine Grove, Kentucky
Sergeant Thomas Brinch Army San Antonio, Texas
1 Staff Sgt. Marcus Wilson USMC Murrieta, California
Staff Sgt. Brent Young Eagle Army Kirkland, New Mexico
Sgt. Joseph Lewis Army Clovis, New Mexico
1st Staff Sgt. Michael McQuery Army Layfayette, Tennessee
Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Castagna, Sr. Army Clarksville, Tennesse
Gunnery Sgt. Chad Colvert USMC Brownwood, Texas
1st Staff Sgt. Ryan Leighton USMC St. Cloud, Florida
Sgt. Cory Speck Army Dacula, Florida
Chief Warrant Officer Lowell Jones Army Kempner, Texas
Sgt. Steven Smith Army Aubrey, Texas
Corporal Cody Taylor USMC Buda, Texas
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Herne Army Fort Knox, Kentucky
Sgt. Jeremy House Army San Angelo, Texas
Sgt. Sean Grimes USMC Bloomington, Illinois