LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Two Airmen were recently selected to represent the base as 2010 Lackland AFB Ambassadors.
Tech. Sgt. Kathleen May, 737th Training Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Vicente Rodriguez, 59th Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Squadron, were selected as the top two of 10 applicants after meeting a seven-person panel Dec. 17.
Lackland Ambassadors and ambassadors from other San Antonio military installations represent the military during various community events including parades and visits to local schools, nursing homes and retirement facilities. The ambassadors will also face many events during the traditional, 11-day Fiesta celebration held annually in San Antonio, boasting more than 200 different events.
"The Ambassador Program is important because it puts a professional face of the military out in the community," said Bill Gaines, 37th Training Wing Public Affairs chief of civic outreach. "They help educate the public about the military, encouraging their ongoing support for our servicemembers and the Air Force mission."
Sergeant May was born and raised in Lincoln, Neb., and serves in the 737th TRSS as an independent duty medical technician.
As an IDMT, she helps provide medical diagnosis, treatment and emergency care to a 7,000-plus Basic Military Training population.
"I'm very excited and proud of this honor and to learn about how important Lackland is to San Antonio," said Sergeant May. "I'm also looking forward to working with my counterpart ambassador and the other ambassadors as we get out in the community to meet the people and be the face of the Air Force."
Sergeant Rodriguez hails from Sacramento, Calif., and works in the 59th ORS as a physical medicine technician.
His job involves helping patients with physical rehabilitation so they can recover from injury and return to daily activities.
"My leadership actually approached me and encouraged me to put in an application, so I'm very grateful for that because I know a lot of people deserved this and I feel very honored," said Sergeant Rodriguez. "I'm excited about Fiesta week and meeting important people in the community so they know what we (the military) do as whole and how we support the community."
The ambassadors will serve for all of 2010, but they will also have the help of their alternate ambassadors: Staff Sgt. Kelly Bergelin-Loemeli, 59th Medical Logistics and Readiness Squadron, and Staff Sgt. David Veliquette, 319th Training Squadron.