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Symposium recognizes DoD's top Latina military, civilian employees

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Leisa Grant
  • National Guard Bureau
WASHINGTON, (9/9/10) --  Twelve military members and Department of Defense civilian employees were presented the Latina Distinguished Service Award for their service to the nation at the seventh annual National LATINA Symposium held here Sept. 9.

The event celebrated the individual contributions of DoD's Latina employees, who supported overseas contingency operations and demonstrated role model qualities and the core values of their respective military service or agency.

"Latinas are thriving in the workplace," said Clarence E. Johnson, principal director of DoD's Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity. "Many of the traditions that Americans have are deeply rooted in Hispanic culture."

Award winners, who were commended for their leadership, professionalism and dedication to service, included: Air Force Master Sgt. Sandra M. Nunes; Air Force civilian Julie L. Moran; Army Master Sgt. Michael E. Alicea; Army civilian Samuel Perez; Coast Guard Lt. Erica Kelly, Coast Guard Lt. Jessica Davilla, the first Hispanic female helicopter in the Coast Guard; Coast Guard civilian Lonnie Suazo; Marine Corps Master Sgt. Kim A. Lannon; Army National Guard Sgt. First Class Lana Luciano; Navy Lt. Commander Nieva M. S. Brock; Navy civilian Glenda N. Leon; and Defense Logistics Agency civilian Maritza Guevara.

Luciano said a large part of her Hispanic culture is having a sense of family and taking care of one another. As a non-commissioned officer in charge of several Soldiers, she said she appreciates this part of her heritage.

"I'm extremely pleased for Sgt. Luciano receiving this award," said Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, the chief of staff for the chief of the National Guard Bureau, who escorted Luciano during the ceremony. "It is absolutely well deserved for her and the National Guard."

Luciano earned the award as a result of her leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty while serving as the non-commissioned officer in charge of U.S. Army postal operations in Egypt during a deployment with the Puerto Rico National Guard. She was responsible for postal assets worth more than $350,000 through three locations in two countries.
Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who serves as the symposium's chairman and as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that Latinas are playing an important role in business communities, corporations and the military today.

"(They) represent the fastest growing segment of small businesses in America," he said. "Hispanic women are fulfilling more and more non-traditional roles, such as, serving in the military today more than ever before."

It hasn't always been this way, Marine Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, the first Hispanic female general officer in the U.S. Marine Corps said during her keynote speech.

Salinas shared her own story of being told by her basic training drill sergeant to be a good Marine. She said there was not an emphasis on being a good female Marine or a good Hispanic Marine, but to just be a "damn good Marine."

"Today is a celebration of Latina empowerment," said Salinas. "It is time to celebrate."