Courtesy Photo | Service members, civilians, families and community partners gathered at the Fort...... read more read more
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — Service members, civilians, families and community partners gathered at the Fort Buchanan Community Club Aug. 7 for the installation’s fourth-quarter town hall, where leaders shared readiness information, recognized outstanding service and provided the workforce an opportunity to engage directly with garrison leadership.
Ulises Marrero, acting garrison manager, and Command Sgt. Maj. Kimberly D. Bergman-Gándara, installation senior enlisted adviser, led the event. Command Sgt. Maj. Everett B. Sikes, incoming senior enlisted leader, also attended ahead of the installation’s Aug. 14 change of responsibility ceremony.
“We are fortunate to be joined by partners who play an essential role in Fort Buchanan’s readiness and resilience,” Marrero said. “Your continued support and collaboration strengthen everything we do on this installation.”
Hector Herrera, installation antiterrorism officer, provided an awareness briefing highlighting August as the Army’s Antiterrorism Awareness Month and discussed evolving threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, insider threats and unmanned aircraft systems. Herrera also announced the upcoming annual Fort Buchanan Antiterrorism Symposium.
Ernesto Morales, from the National Weather Service San Juan Forecast Office, discussed hurricane season and the importance of preparedness.
“It is imperative that everyone living in the tropics stay ready to deal with bad weather, especially during hurricane season,” Morales said.
Also, during the event, Lt. Col. DeShun D. Eubanks, Staff Judge Advocate, provided a briefing about Installation Policies and Regulation Clarification and Guidance.
Recognition formed a major part of the town hall.
“Celebrating excellence is one of the best parts of our job, and today we have the privilege of recognizing teammates and Soldiers whose dedication makes a real impact on Fort Buchanan’s mission,” Marrero said.
Spc. Zachary B. Tipton received recognition for exceptionally meritorious achievement during a May 18 crisis response. The installation also recognized Sgt. 1st Class Hector G. Orozco Otero, Command Sgt. Maj. Galindez Oquendo Velazquez, Staff Sgt. Yehiel Hernandez Vazquez, Sgt. Lizmairim Camacho Santiago, Sgt. Angel Rodriguez Colon, Sgt. Francisco Soto Morales and Sgt. Jose Lopez Riollano for Color Guard and Honor Guard support.
Sgt. 1st Class Osvaldo Canino Garcia accepted recognition on behalf of the 215th Military Police Detachment and 301st Military Police Company for outstanding support during Fort Buchanan’s Fourth of July celebration.
Also recognized for exceptional support during the celebration were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alberto Pacheco, Command Sgt. Maj. Leonel Bosque, 1st Sgt. Jose Sola, Sgt. 1st Class Walter N. Rivera Acevedo, Sgt. 1st Class Eliot Claudio, Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Melendez Colon, retired Staff Sgt. Jose Manuel Santiago Cruz, Sgt. Margarita Navarro, Sgt. Felix Marcano, Sgt. Eduardo Diaz, Sgt. Kevin Mercado, Sgt. Pedro Perez Ortiz, Sgt. Javier Placer, Spc. Samary Floran Ortiz, Spc. Erick C. Flores, Spc. Michael Colon, Spc. Hector Santos Rodriguez, Spc. Felix Ortiz Rosario, Spc. Pilar Segon and Spc. Sarah Abreu.
Bayamón municipality employees Jose Santiago Burgos and Jorge Luis Caraballo Diaz received recognition for supporting the Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department during the Fourth of July celebration. Metro Emergency Response Team members Nelly Cruz, Nestor Colon, Raziel Figueroa, Eulando Piñero, Celia Feijoo and Julitza Benabe also received recognition for supporting the Directorate of Emergency Services.
Piñero said the volunteer organization’s relationship with Fort Buchanan spans 25 years and includes joint training, emergency response and support to installation activities.
“I believe this recognition represents the fact that we have been effective in our collaboration, not only in the community, but also here at Fort Buchanan,” Piñero said.
The garrison also recognized federal civilian service milestones. Marcos Quintero, Francheska Nieves Chaparro, Ashley Hines, Edwin Arroyo Avila, Karina N. Lopez Santiago and Yovanni Mercado Cruz marked five years of federal service; Gregory B. Aponte and Aime L. Cortes, 10 years; Jose L. Figueroa Nieves, Juan J. Gomez and Alex A. Mojica Medina, 15 years; Ignacio Gonzalez, 25 years; and Nancy Ramos, 40 years.
Ruben Maldonado received recognition for 26 years of service with Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Directorate of Public Works.
Jorge Castro, Raul Cruz, Antonio Vazquez, Roberto Vicente, Solimar Velez, David Lopez, Rolando Rios, Angel Rivera, Obed Rodriguez and Yoaliz M. Alvarez received recognition for their professionalism, dedication and exceptional support during the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States. Joel Cruz, Hector Perez, Hector Rosado, Estrella Casanova and Viviana Rosado also received certificates of appreciation.
Juan A. Gonzalez Rosa received a Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement and Certificate of Appreciation, while Bergman-Gandara received the Legion of Merit as her end-of-tour award.
“This has been the absolute pleasure of my lifetime,” Bergman-Gandara told the audience. “I came here to tell you thank you. I am truly humbled from the very bottom of my heart.”
Marrero and Bergman-Gandara concluded the town hall by discussing upcoming events and conducting a listening session that gave attendees an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with installation leadership.
The quarterly town hall reflects Fort Buchanan’s commitment to sustaining trust and confidence among its workforce, military community and community partners through transparency, proactive communication and direct engagement. By routinely sharing information, recognizing contributions and providing opportunities for two-way dialogue, installation leaders strengthen relationships across the community while keeping the people who support Fort Buchanan’s mission informed, connected and engaged.
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2026 17:10 |
| Story ID: | 572005 |
| Location: | PR |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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