VFW Honors Citizens’ Community Service and Essay Winners

VFW Post 3278 honored area citizens in an award ceremony on Thursday recognizing their service to the community.

During their annual Citizen’s Award Banquet, the VFW honors emergency responders and law enforcement officers for their service to the community, each recipient is chosen by their supervisors for going above and beyond to serve the community while they performed their job requirements.

The following were honored:

Brownwood Police Department: Officer Fred Bastardo

Officer Bastardo was described in his recognition letter as a well rounded officer who gives 100%. During the year and a half that he has been the Brownwood ISD resource officer, Bastardo has started a campus Crime Stoppers program and the Watch D.O.G.s program at local schools.

Fire Department: Chad Hill (not able to be present at the ceremony)

Sheriff’s Department: Deputy James Stroope

Deputy Stroope was described in his recommendation as an officer who “never assumes cases are unsolvable,” and an officer who is a strong leader among his peers.

Heart of Texas EMS: Jennifer Trowbridge

Trowbridge was described as a dedicated employee who serves many hours, maintaining professionalism and skill while balancing a very strong family life.

Guardian EMS: EMT Basic Donnie Dunavent

Dunavent has served in the Army in Operation Desert Storm and many years in active and reserve duty receiving a Bronze Star, as Deputy Sheriff of Bexar County, and became an EMT in 2005 and is what his supervisors call a true example of a healthcare provider, serving his community with compassion.

Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex: Officer Deena Alley, JCO IV

Officer Alley has 14.3 years of service and is noted to be instrumental in making the incoming youth feel more comfortable during intake with her calm matter-of-fact personality.

TDCJ Havins Unit: Officer Robert Harmon, Correctional Officer V

Officer Harmon has served 18 years as a correctional officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. Each year, Harmon shows generosity to the community through his organization and planning of the Silver Angels program, which gives residents in local nursing homes a Christmas Party with special gifts and spreading Christmas joy. He also serves as a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Military Appreciation Award: The Granite Guys

This award is given in support of Marine CPL Tevan Nguyen, killed in action in Afghanistan on December 28, 2010.

Members of the VFW awarded this special honor due to the generosity the Granite Guys showed after CPL Nguyen was posthumously awarded the Navy Achievement with Valor. The process of this award was slow and the headstone was placed on Nguyen’s grave before the honor was bestowed. When military organizations, such as the VFW and American Legion asked for a cost to correct the headstone, the Granite Guys stated that they would be honored to do the removal and inscription of the headstone at no cost in honor of Nguyen’s sacrifice.

Gold Star Buttons Presentation: Mario Castillo Family

The Castillo family (pictured top) was honored for the ultimate sacrifice that their son, 20-year-old Mario Castillo, paid in 2005.

VFW Essay contest winners were also honored at the ceremony. Each year the VFW holds a contest for area students on local, district, state and national levels. Students are honored with a plaque and cash prizes.

Winning essay contest honorees – junior high and high school students from the area.