CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — The American G.I. Forum Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women's Chapter their held 9th annual unveiling of the Bus Wrap event Thursday. The event took place from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Alexia's event center in Corpus Christi.
This year's event featured keynote speaker Diane Gonzalez of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, who addressed the community on leadership and service. This event marked the first time youth leaders were honored in the community. Each individual honored was decorated onto two RTA buses. This was also the first time three bus wraps were displayed, with one bus displaying one on each side.
The 11 Latino honorees were as follows:
- David Franco - USMC SGT | SSG Texas ANG (RET) | CCFD
- Carlos Garcia - US ARMY SP 5
- Heriberto Garza - US Navy Petty Officer 3rd
- Jose Noe Mendez - US Army WWII Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient
- Andres Benavides - Mech. Preservation & Maintenance Superintendent | USMC LCPL
- Maribel Trevino - Robstown Early College High School Principal
- Chief Mike Tamez - City of Robstown Police Department and USMC Iraq Veteran
- Yolanda Hernandez Galindo - AGIF Lifetime Member Port Ayers Women's Chapter & CCISD 40 Years Educator
- Heather Arroyo - Robstown ISD 2024 Valedictorian
- Elley Cerda - Moody Trojans Girls Softball Player
- Allison Lopez - King High School Royalettes
- Jose A. Martinez - Active Duty US Air Force
- Bella Salgado - Ballet Folklorico Dancer
During the event, each recipient or those on behalf of the recipients were given time to give a speech and thank friends, family, and the American G.I. Forum for the honor. After their speeches, the RTA presented a framed photo to the recipients of themselves. Replicas of the bus wraps were also given to the honorees by Iconic Signs.
The bus wraps will remain on the buses en route for six months.
