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Team Kirtland and 58th Special Operations Wing members hosted an information booth at the League of United Latin American Citizens exposition at the Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico, August 3, 2023. The team further drew connections with the local community and educated them on the many different career opportunities that Kirtland Air Force Base has to offer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ruben Garibay.)

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Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, delivers a speech at the League of United Latin American Citizens luncheon held at the Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico, August 3, 2023. As the premier Hispanic convention, the LULAC National Convention draws over 15,000 participants each year including top leaders from the government, business and the Latino community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ruben Garibay.)

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Gilbert Cisneros, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, delivers a speech at the League of United Latin American Citizens luncheon at the Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico, August 3, 2023. As the premier Hispanic convention, the LULAC National Convention draws over 15,000 participants each year including top leaders from the government, business, and the Latino community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ruben Garibay.)

LULAC Unites Albuquerque Community

Published Aug. 4, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Ruben Garibay
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – On August 3, 2023, the League of United Latin American Citizens hosted its national convention and exposition at the Albuquerque Convention Center. During their week-long events, LULAC organized a luncheon ceremony to recognize military members of Latin descent.

Honored guests, such as Gilbert Cisneros, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, were present at the event to extend their congratulations to the award recipients and bestow awards upon them. The recipients hailed from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

During the LULAC convention, Cisneros expressed that building a diverse and inclusive military is key to our nation’s success, not only in the enlisted ranks, but in the commissioned ranks as well.

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) members from across the nation attended this luncheon for the opportunity to view other Latin military members currently serving who were recognized for their hard work.

During the exposition, Team Kirtland and 58th Special Operations Wing members also hosted an information booth to further draw connections with the local community and educate them on the many different career opportunities that Kirtland Air Force Base has to offer.

The LULAC convention is at the Albuquerque Convention Center from August 1-5, and will hold various opportunities for the community to participate in. LULAC's goal is to improve the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population in the United States.

As the premier Hispanic convention, the LULAC National Convention draws over 15,000 participants each year including top leaders from the government, business and Latino community.