J. Marty Martinez, State Commander

P.O. Box 94725

Oklahoma City, OK 73143-4725

Jmartinez16@cox.net

Olly Olivas, State Vice Commander

Larry Sousa, Chaplain  

John Martinez State Treasurer

Pandora Everett, Sgt. of Arms

LOUIS ROCCO CHAPTER  

J. Martinez, Commander

Oklahoma City, OK  

 TRINITY CHAPTER

Olly Olivas, Commander 

  Norman, Oklahoma 

OK CITY CHAPTER

Victor Gonzalez, Commander

Oklahoma City, OK

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By: Jose Martinez

Oklahoma City: The American GI Forum, a National Hispanic Veterans Organization, recently held its Annual State Conference and Awards Dinner, hosted by the “Louis Rocco” Chapter, at Capitol Hill and at Tinker AFBs Officer’s Club.  The group elected new officer for the coming year and recognized community leaders and organization members.

     New Officers for the GI Forum are: State Commander, J. Marty Martinez of the Louis Rocco Chapter; State Vice Commander, Olly Olivas of the Norman Trinity Chapter; Secretary, Yessika Torres/Louis Rocco; Treasurer, John S. Martinez, OKC Chapter; Sergeant of Arms, Pandora Tadefa-Everett and Chaplain, Larry Sousa, both of the Norman Trinity Chapter. Women’s Chairperson is Gloria Cantu and Acting Youth Chair is Shaleta Martinez-Colbert, both of the Louis Rocco Chapter.

     Goals for the coming year include: Community Resource Development, Youth Leadership Development/Training, and participating more actively in health, educational, social services, and governmental affairs policy issues at all levels. 

     Attendees at the Annual Awards Dinner at Tinker AFB included the Honorable State Representative, Al Lindley; community leaders: Dr. Jack L. Werner, Capitol Hill’s Amigo Foundation, Anita Martinez, Director, La Puerta De Oro, Salvation Army, Melita Tadefa, El Acopio News, Georgia Williams, Oklahoma Arts Council, Antonio and Mrs. Morales from Ft. Worth, TX and Maria and Billy Butts, community leaders from Heavener, Oklahoma.  A large number of other attendees and dignitaries from throughout Oklahoma were present for the event.  Especially notable was the large number of youths and families who attended the dinner.

     The evening began with the customary singing of the national anthem by Guillermo Alvarado, the pledge of allegiance led by the State Sergeant at Arms, Pandora Tadefa-Everett, M.A and the invocation led by Missionaries Maria and Billy Butts.   Entertainment was provided by the GI Forum “Estrellas” Folklorico Performing Group and the “Ballet Flamenco Espanol Folkloricos Co. – Los Ninos De Espana Y Mexico”, a tenant organization of the Norman AGIF “Trinity” Chapter.

     Noted community speakers were Ms. Anita Martinez, Director of ‘La Puerta de Oro, who spoke about the importance of community service and our individual responsibilities towards our communities; Ms. Georgia Williams, Outreach Director for the Oklahoma Arts Council, spoke about the importance of cultural and performing arts in the community and the services that are available through that State Agency.   Mr. Olly Olivas, a long-time member of the American GI Forum spoke about the history of the organization, the role it has played in service to veterans and their families, and the dire need still existing – especially in Oklahoma – for integrating the newly arrived, and ever-growing Hispanic population into the mainstream with the least possible negative impact on the families or the community.

     The Awards Ceremony began with awards presented for Outstanding Community Service by organization members and community supporters: Ms. Rosa I. Cadena was honored as ‘Woman of the Year’ and Yessika Martinez-Colbert was honored as ‘Youth of the Year’.  Ms. Gloria Cantu, Ebony Martinez-Colbert, and Ms. Yessika Torres were honored for their service to the community as members of the Louis Rocco Chapter. 

    Community Service Awards were presented to Dr. Jack L. Werner, PHd and Reverend and Mrs. Neal Sumner for their continuous support of youth leadership development activities in Capitol Hill and South Oklahoma City. Other educational achievement and community service awards were presented to ‘Los Ninos de Espana’ and the ‘GI Forum Estrellas’ for their many public performances promoting the Hispanic culture in Oklahoma.