Photo By L.A. Shively | Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn McCann, from Philipsburg, Mont., who is...... read more read more
SAN ANTONIO - This year’s military ambassadors were guests of honor at the Military Civilian Club’s April gathering at The Club at Sonterra, one of several dozen preliminary events for this year’s Fiesta San Antonio.
The ambassadors’ appearance at the nearly 300-strong gathering was an opportunity for club membership at large to meet the ambassadors they sponsor at San Antonio-area community events, including nearly 150 activities associated with Fiesta San Antonio.
Ten service members from across the three Joint Base San Antonio locations representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard are chosen each year to represent their respective military services as part of the Military Ambassadors program.
Each ambassador is nominated by his or her command and then must pass a rigorous board that includes questions on leadership and military history among other topics. Along with Fiesta events, military ambassadors participate in parades and visit local schools, nursing homes and retirement facilities throughout the year.
The Military Civilian or Mil-Civ Club has been associated with the military ambassadors for 52 years explained Jeanie Travis, club president. Travis traced the history of both the club and the ambassadors during her remarks at the gathering.
Travis explained that early on only one female member represented each military installation and would be included in the parades and other Fiesta events. In 1963 the club was invited by the Fiesta Commission to formally escort the ambassadors.
“And then it grew into asking and recruiting two of each of the five services which is how we have our ten ambassadors,” Travis said. “Today military ambassadors do not represent their installations, they represent the United States military.”
Following remarks from other club officials and a slide presentation welcoming them, each ambassador took the podium to enthusiastic applause and introduced him or herself and thanked the members for the opportunity to serve.
“I get a chance to connect with the San Antonio community and express our deep gratitude for their support,” said Sgt. 1st Class Frederick McDuffy, from Jonesboro, Ark., who serves as Army Entertainment’s U.S. Army Soldier Show noncommissioned officer in charge of the U.S. Army Installation Management Commands G9 Morale, Welfare and Recreation directorate at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
“Being front and center in the parades and other events gives the San Antonio community a chance to see who we are,” explained Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn McCann, from Philipsburg, Mont., who is assigned to the Coast Guard Recruiting Office San Antonio.
“I’m honored and privileged to be selected,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Morales, from Manila, Philippines, who is a recruiter at Navy Recruiting District San Antonio. “I like talking to a lot of people – networking, so this is perfect for me to represent the Navy and the U.S. military.”
“Having the Navy as part of the ambassador team along with the Army, Marine Corps, the Air Force and Coast Guard shows this is really a consolidated city,” said retired Capt. Gail Hathaway, a member of the club. “The town welcomes all services here equally.”
“It’s a thrill to meet these young people,” said Helen Hays Pohly, a past president of the club. “It’s wonderful to think that the United States and our lives are in their hands.”
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2015 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 160573 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | MANILA, PH |
| Hometown: | BOSTON, MA, US |
| Hometown: | DES MOINES, IA, US |
| Hometown: | JONESBORO, AR, US |
| Hometown: | PHILIPSBURG, MT, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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