Latino veterans in Colorado to be honored for their service

PUEBLO, Co. – The Pueblo Latino Veterans Profiles in Courage Committee will be honoring five Latino veterans for their sacrifices and commitment to the nation on Oct. 1 during the seventh annual Pueblo Latino Veterans Profiles in Courage ceremony.

“Pueblo is called Home of Heroes,” Gloria Gutierrez, chair of the Pueblo Latino Veterans Profiles in Courage Committee, said. “Pueblo has five Medal of Honor recipients and a very large veteran population.”

Gutierrez said the event was created by local veteran and activist Larry Alvarado to honor the community’s heroes. The ceremony recognizes local veterans of Hispanic descent who served honorably in any branch of the military, in either times of combat or non-combat. Recipients are nominated by members of the community and awards are held in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Since its inception, 32 veterans have been recognized.

“Many veterans are humble and don’t talk about their service in the military,” Gutierrez shared. “Many of the family members do not even realize that they served, so it’s significant to those families.”

The 2022 recipients include Ricardo Arellano, Jose Isaac Gallegos, Carlos Hernandez, Frank Ortega and William Rodriguez. The five veterans will be recognized by Air Force veteran Juan Espinosa, who will serve as guest speaker of the event and present the veterans’ or veterans’ families with a sculpture from Colorado artist Michael Garman’s military sculpture series. Each sculpture depicts the branch of service in which the veteran served.

Ricardo “Alex” Arellano

In September 1949, Arellano joined the Army when he was 17 years old and served for three and a half years, fighting in both Korea and Japan. He then joined the Marine Corps in October 1953. His total combined service spanned more than 30 years.

His awards include the Army Occupation Medal, four Good Conduct Medals, a Korea Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Medal and a Unit Presidential Citation.

Jose Isaac “Flash” Gallegos

A Korean War veteran, Gallegos fought in 12 battles during his two years of service. The Army veteran was wounded in action and was briefly listed as missing in action while wounds were being treated by allies. After being treated for his wounds, Gallegos left the military in June 1953.

His awards include a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Carlos “Chuck” Hernandez

A Pueblo native, Hernandez served honorably in the Navy from February 1953 to January 1956.

After his military service, Hernandez served the community through his active volunteerism. He administered the Eucharist to the bedridden in hospitals, nursing homes and individual homes. He also served with the Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team, which provides military education and provides military honors at funerals.

Frank Ortega

Ortega served in the Marine Corps from 1988-1992.

His awards include a Good Conduct Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Marine Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Mast and National Defense Service Medal.

After his military service was over, Ortega continued to serve the community by becoming a police officer. He helps run the Citizen’s Academy Training Program and trains police officers in Pueblo and other cities, including Chihuahua, Mexico. He is also an active volunteer in the community.

William Rodriguez

Rodriguez was one of the 156,000 troops who fought on the shores of Normandy during D-Day, June 6, 1944, and one of one million allied troops who fought during the Battle of the Bulge from Dec. 16, 1944, to

Jan. 25, 1945, two of the most iconic battles of World War II. He was medically discharged in December 1945 at Camp Carson (now Fort Carson, Colorado).

His awards include the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a World War II Victory Ribbon.

The Pueblo Latino Veterans Profiles in Courage ceremony will be held from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Oct. 1, at the Pueblo Convention Center.