PRANG participates in National Guard Week

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Adalberto Rivera
  • JFHQ-PR/DS-Air
MUNIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico --  the National Guard Week with a series of events across the island from 8-12 Sept. 2008. The PRANG had a successful participation in the two events it planned. 

First, there was a Blood Drive coordinated with the American Red Cross which was conducted on 9 Sept. at the 156th Airlift Wing (156AW) Dining Facility. I'd like to thank all of you who took time from your busy schedule to give this much needed lifegiving resource. My hat goes off to Ms. Sharon Perez, Xerox Assistant, as well as Master Sgt. Jorge Hernandez from the 156th Communication Flight, who were the Project Officers for this activity. 

The second event took place 11 Sept, more than 60 Air National Guardsmen and Family Readiness Program civilian volunteers visited the "Hogar del Pequeño Joshua," a project house for abused children and their mothers affected by drugs and HIV/AIDS in Bayamon. 

Again, the support received by all members of the 156th Airlift Wing, especially the 156th Civil Engineering Squadron (156CES), was truly commendable. They really went above and beyond in their effort to help out this project. They spent several days working on a voluntary basis to help repair the facilities roof, install electricity and fix and paint three gazebos used by the children and their mothers for their leisure time and
play. 

Puerto Rico National Guard leadership and members from Joint Forces Headquarters Staff, including Maj. Gen. (PR) David Carrion-Baralt; The Adjutant General for Puerto Rico; Col. Carlos Rodriguez-Quesada; Assistant Adjutant General for Air; Col. Jorge Melendez, Joint Chief of Staff and Sgt. Major Gilbert Arocho, State Command Sergeant Major visited our volunteers at work, along with Col. Carlos Quiñones; 156th Airlift Wing Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Hector Mejia, Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, who were also present at the activity and thanked the volunteers for all their efforts. They also brought gifts and other articles, and shared some time with the project house staff and the wives of several guardsmen, who also volunteered. 

My gratitude goes out to Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Serra, CES Superintendent and
Ms. Lourdes Gonzalez, PRANG Family Readiness Coordinator for their excellence in helping plan and coordinate this activity from start to finish.