Annual Hispanic Heritage Bus Wrap Ceremony

American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. Report: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter had their unveiling Ceremonies on Thursday February 11 at 1:00 pm at the Alexia’s Event Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. This yearly event honors Hispanic Leaders from the American GI Forum and the Local Community. Because of bad weather, this year’s event was held indoors. Past National Chairwoman Patsy M. Vazquez Contes was the Mistress of Ceremonies and also one of the event coordinators.

This Year’s Event was special in that The American GI Forum honored PFC Vanessa Gillen, U.S. Army who was killed in Fort Hood last year. Family members were present at the unveiling, and a very emotional Mother, and siblings thanked the American GI Forum and spoke briefly the importance keeping her memory alive and pursuing the very many unanswered questions about her sudden death. The American Gi Forum has vowed to keep the investigation going and continue looking for answers.

Among the deceased honored on the wrap are NVOP President and CEO Carlos Martinez, USAF; Del Rio Chapter Commander Jose Martinez, MSGT USAF, both victims of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020.

Other AGIF members honored are Gil Rodriguez, RM2, US Navy, CEO, AGIF of Texas Inc.; Past National Commander Angel Zuniga, Retired MSGT US Air Force; Past National Commander  Luis A. Vazquez-Contes, Retired MSGT US Army; and Ernesto Montoya, Retired SFC US Army.

Others honored and featured on the bus for an entire year are: SFC John Domingo Duran, US Army, POW, WW2 and Korean Veteran; Major Jose A. Lopez, US Army, American Legion Commander Post 3643; Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juarez, President, Robstown ISD Education Foundation; Rosie Torres, Executive Director, Co-Founder, Burn Pits 3605; Victor Guajardo, Former LULAC Council #1 President-19636; Alex Garcia, CEO, Red Cross of the Coastal Bend Chapter; Patsy Cavazos, H-E-B Pharmacy Director of the Gulf Coast & SW Border Regions; Tommie Garza, Blue Star Mother. All the honorees received a replica of the bus wrap.

For more information contact:

Patsy M. Vazquez-Contes
AGIF Event Coordinator
Phone: 361-232-8296
Email: [email protected]

The American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. thanks and congratulates the Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter, their Chair Leslie Christian and Event Coordinator Patsy M. Vazquez Contes for their continued dedication to this event and for honoring very deserving leaders.

 “Education Is Our Freedom and Freedom Should Be Everybody’s Business!”