In celebration of “National Hispanic Heritage Month” which is observed from September 15 through October 15, I had the pleasure and privilege to speak at the DHS US CIS office (Department of Homeland Security – US Citizenship and Immigration Services), in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday September 29, 2011.
Several federal employees from other agencies were also present.
ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
By an Act of Congress, the US President is required to issue a proclamation annually. President Obama’s National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation for 2011 was read by Mr. David Lester, Field Director for US CIS at Santa Ana. The US CIS office closed early on Thursday and this celebration was observed.
I was introduced to US CIS by Mimi Lozano, Somos Primos publisher. Mr. Cesar X. V. Baldemor, Immigration Services and Outreach Lead Officer, was instrumental in ensuring things went smoothly.
As the Commander of UMAVA, it was also my honor to represent our military veterans community, in particular UMAVA (United Mexican-American Veterans Association) and to share a Powerpoint presentation for 30-minutes about my family, and how my family is like our military, which is like America.
The theme was “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories – One American Spirit!”
I presented how my family consists of several races, several religions, several ethnicities/nationalities, and several languages. And although we are very different, we are joined as one, by:
- our US Flag and our US Constitution, and
- our shared values (Respect for the Flag; Fidelity to Country and our American Values & Principles; Faith and our own moral compass; Family; and Friendship).
I also shared how the greatness of America comes about because no matter the challenge (of which we have many), we always come together as one, and because we share the sacrifice. Also I believe that we can all find inspiration from the resilience of average Americans.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION to US CIS.
CLICK HERE FOR US-CIS Certificate awarded to Commander Barragan
Mr David Lester, US-CIS Field Director; My wife Valeria-Associate Professor at Saddleback College, and Me
Opportunities Created by Sacrifices of our USA Veterans
It is incredible, and fortunate for me that in America, I went from being an immigrant child (with language challenges – I spent one year in an intensive bilingual program; and economic challenges working in the agricultural fields from 12-19 years of age in Merced County), attending night school for about 5 years, paying my way through college, serving in the US Marines (graduating as the Top Honor Graduate & receiving a Meritorious Promotion) and CA Army National Guard, being the first in my family to graduate from college, working for one of the top accounting and consulting firms in the world (a “Big 4” company), to then becoming a Chief Audit Executive with some top multinational companies, and traveling to about 28 countries and 22 states.
And I know I had these opportunities because this was made possible by the sacrifices and contributions by our USA military veterans who ensure our freedoms and our economic prosperity; and because our Nation’s success is greater, the greater our inclusiveness of our diverse communities!
And because my fourth-grade Bilingual Teacher Ms. Linda Giles took special interest in my education and would take me to the museums, the Ballet, and other places in San Diego, and as a way of saying “thank you!” to her and my adopted country, I am contributing to the improvement of our community, by serving, leading, volunteering, and consulting pro-bono for several not-for-profit organizations in Orange County.
(I wish I could personally thank Ms. Linda Giles for the great impact she had in my education. She was a beautiful blond, blue-eyed teacher, about 25-30 years “young’, in 1973-74, at Willow Elementary in San Ysidro, CA; and then she became a Principal at Beyer Middle School.)
My wife Valeria-Assoc Professor at Saddleback College, Me and DHS US CIS employees
CELEBRATING AMERICA in SANTA ANA!!!
Separately, The City of Santa awarded “Certificates of Recognition” to several members in appreciation for being part of the Independence Day Celebration Planning Committee, for the Independence Day event held on July 3, 2011 at Centennial Park for about 6,000 people. This was awarded at the City Council meeting of Monday October 3, 2011 at City Council Chamber of Santa Ana, CA.
CLICK HERE for Certificate Issued by City of Santa Ana to Francisco J. Barragan
It is reassuring and great that when we celebrate the American Spirit on our Fourth of July, we are all able to put our differences aside and focus our energies on Celebrating America, and honoring the sacrifices and contributions of our active duty troops, our veterans and their families.
From L: Pastor Francisco Parras Jr.-USMC; Mayor Miguel Pulido; Antonio Mendez-WWII Silver Star Recipient; Francisco Barragan, Commander; Nelida Yanez, Color Guard Leader; Sgt Sal Lujan, Korea combat veteran
Francisco Barragan, Commander UMAVA; Mayor Miguel Pulido; Mayor Pro-tem Claudia Alvarez; Pastor Francisco Parras Jr.
by:
Francisco “Paco” Barragan, Commander-UMAVA, and Business Leader and Community volunteer
Congratulations, Francisco!
Francisco, please join us this Saturday october 22 12:00 with any veterans organizations of your wish to express any grievance of your wish, Especially if you believe that the current economic system dominated by wall street and corporate greed is affecting veterans (and active service members) in a negative fashion. Endless, Aimless, non-defensive warfare? Corporate mercenaries taking your pay? Occupy Wall St.- Occupy Orange County- Santa Ana Sasher Park. Just west of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building. 4th Street.
Let me second that invitation, Paco – we are looking for a Few Good Marines.
@Double Indemnity (If I say DI, you’ll remind me of my US Marines DI’s – Drill Instructors):
Please refer to my earlier post of Aug 1st:
“Debt & Sacrifice in America: Should 1% = 1%”
1% (our USA veterans) has been paying the ultimate sacrifice for the well-being of America.
How much sacrifice, if any, should we expect from the other 1% (the wealthy top 1%) for the well-being of America (the other 99%), especially if the top 1% has been benefiting through enormous or “horrendous” amounts of subsidies and bailouts provided by America’s taxpayers????
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2011/08/debt-sacrifice-in-america-should-1-1/
And please offer your thoughts there.
Permission to re-post that as a new post, sir!
Thank you Vern! I made a couple of additions & revisions.
Patriot Act is un-American, and a major threat to American Freedom.
the patriot act is american and its a major threat IF YOU DONT SUPPORT IT .
I actually enjoyed reading this piece and thought it did a good job of capturing the feeling of being and becoming American. Wish those of all backgrounds could celebrate their heritage in the same way without drawing derisive comments from the left.
I would ask what you’re talking about there, but I’d rather not hijack the thread. Erin go bragh!
Commander: Congratulations on your recognition. You unselfishness in giving to your community is commendable. Your American spirit reflects your inspiration gathered from your early education with Ms. Giles. Keep up your tireless efforts.
You too Nellie. You are welcome. 12:00 Occupy Santa Ana. To fight Financial Terrorism in America and across the globe.
FELICIDADES , TE LO MERECES !!
Congratulations Francisco, you’ve come a long way since Willow….I too was furtunate enough to have Ms. Linda Giles as my teacher while at Willow. I recently found a picture of her she had given my parents to send to me while I was serving in the U.S. Army in 77. It would be great to locate her a personally thank her for being such a great teacher and individual…my parents adored her, especially since she was fuent in
Spanish. I can send you a copy of the picture if you like. Thanks and congratulations on all your great accomplishments.
Hi Jorge,
I just saw your comment. Thank you for your service! I would definitely love to find Ms. Linda Giles and thank her! (I was at Willow elementary for two years 4th and 5th grade (around 1973-1975).
Please feel free to share the pic…barraganfj@yahoo.com / 714.605.2544 cell
check out UMAVA.org – ORAL Histories & Videos:
http://umava.org/oralhistoriesvideos.html