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By the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)
FLAGSTAFF — Area Hispanic Korean War veterans and their family members received a well-deserved community recognition, while a Northern Arizona University lecturer provided a heartfelt presentation on the life of César E. Chávez, including his own personal remembrance of the late labor leader, during the fourth annual César E. Chávez Community Recognition Breakfast held Friday, March 30, 2018 at American Legion Mark A. Moore Post No. 3, Flagstaff.
The celebration, which drew a record audience of 120 commuity members, dignitaries and elected officials, was presented by the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).
Korean veterans attending the celebration included Timoteo Cordova, U.S. Army, who served 13 months in the front lines; and Benito D. Valdez, U.S. Army, who received the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Also honored at the event were the late Henry Gallegos, U.S. Army, whose award was accepted by his son, Mike; Abel M. Carrillo, U.S. Army, who died during the past week; and U.S. Army Cpl. Manuel B. Hernandez of Flagstaff, who in 1950 was killed in action in North Korea after protecting and recovering his wounded comrades during battle. While his remains have never been returned, local American Legion officials are petitioning for Hernandez to posthumously receive a Medal of Honor for his service. Additional awards will soon be presented to Bob Herman, U.S. Marine Corps.; Paul Lopez; the family of Jose Montoya and to other local Hispanic Korean War veterans as they are located.
Jose G. Moreno, PhD, a lecturer in the Ethnic Studies Dept. at NAU, provided a first-hand account of his interactions with the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union. Moreno grew up in Oxnard, Calif., where Chávez was developing his farm labor organizing efforts. In fact, Chávez and UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta dined with Moreno’s family when Moreno was a youth, and Moreno later attended a community-organizing lecture at UCSB by Chávez the year before Chávez died in 1993.
The celebration also included the presentation of the 2018 Hispanic Trailblazer of the Year Award to District 2 Supervisor Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta; the 2018 Community Leadership Award to Veronica Hipolito, dean of Student Development and Community Engagement at Coconino Community College; and student awards to Hugo Aparicio, a senior at NAU majoring in biomedical sciences; Jared Robolledo, a junior at NAU majoring in psychological sciences; and Celestine Taieb, a junior at NAU majoring in parks and recreational management.
Special recognitions for their service to CHAC and the local Hispanic community were presented to Father Patrick Mowrer, retiring pastor of San Francisco de Asis Catholic Parish, who gave the opening prayer; District 1 Supervisor Art Babbott; Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar, and Mary McMillen, event manager of the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post No. 3.
Planning is already under way for the 2019 celebration, which will honor area Hispanic Vietnam veterans, who should provide contact information to Susan Garretson at sgarretson@coconino.az
About CHAC: The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council was established in 2001 with the purpose of advising the County Board of Supervisors on issues and concerns that affect the Hispanic community in Coconino County. In addition to serving as an advisory group to the county supervisors, the council has identified the following five major areas of focus:
- To conduct forums on issues and concerns of the Hispanic community
- To promote awareness of the need for diversity in employment, training and economic development
- To assist Coconino County in recruiting and retaining Hispanic employees
- To promote Hispanic culture, arts, historic activities and events
- To examine and make policy recommendations in the areas of education, housing, land use, health, social services, recreation and criminal justice
