National Conference Dedicated to Pvt. Felix Longoria    

AGIF Commander Francisco Ivarra, wife Maria Ivarra and 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Canales celebrating in Corpus Christi, Texas - August 2009.

American GI Forum members and their families traveled from all over the United States to Corpus Christi, Texas where they gathered at the Omni Bay Front hotel for a week of convention activities. The Sixty First Annual Convention was dedicated to Pvt. Felix Longoria and featured Texas Governor Rick Perry as its guest speaker during its Thursday welcoming luncheon. Governor Perry gave a warm welcoming and praised the organization for its history of battling discrimination. Many other distinguished speakers addressed the convention during the week including among them Major General Donald M. Campbell who spoke at the Commander’s Banquet bestowing praise on America’s fighting force and singling out the non-commissioned officer corp.

More than two hundred Forumeers attended and took part in the convention proceedings. The business assembly was well-attended as were the many workshops and special presentations including the yearly report from the National Veterans Outreach Program. On Friday evening, the membership applauded the Mr. AGIF and Miss AGIF contestants as they spoke and competed in their respective categories. Miss K’Cie Kinsinger was selected as the incoming 2009/2010 Miss American GI Forum USA.  Mr. Aron Pfingsten was selected as the incoming 2009/2010 Mr. American GI Forum USA.

On the business side, the number of resolutions placed before the membership was large and the resolutions committee did their best to present as many as time permitted. One of those resolutions presented was California’s Unsung Heroes Initiative which seeks to press for the medal elevation to the Congressional Medal of Honor for Sgt. Manuel Martinez (Vietnam) and Sgt. Rafael Peralta (Iraq). A special salute and presentation was accorded Sgt. Manuel Martinez on the convention floor.

Elections: Two members of the past administration were re-elected to serve on the incoming AGIF Board of Directors; Danny Morales, Treasurer and Greg Nichols, Sgt at Arms. Francisco Ivarra was elected to serve as Commander with Fernando Del Rio, Vice Commander, Placido Salazar, Secretary, Patsy Vasquez-Contes, National Chairwoman, Helen Galvan, Vice Chairwoman, Rebecca Lugo, Women's Secretary, Dora Gonzales, Women's Treasurer, Librado Herrera, Youth Chair, Emilio Duran, Youth Vice Chair, Maritza Castilleja, Youth Secretary, Kristen Benyshek, Youth Treasurer, Maiah Duran, Youth Sgt. @ Armes, Analhi Vasquez, Youth Parliamentarian and K'cie Kinsinger, Youth Chaplain. Through the sometimes contentious debates, conference business was concluded and on Sunday, members began to leave Corpus Christi, the home of the late Dr. Hector P. Garcia, with a feeling of relief and renewed sense of hope for the future. Augie Lerma