the ceremony was hosted by Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery, Texas Army National Guard – the first National Guard unit Chaparro served in after transitioning from active duty with the Regular Army.
Source: New Mexico National Guard (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
EL PASO, Texas – Lt. Col. Mario Chaparro formally retired Dec. 6 after 28 years of service at the Armed Forces Reserve Center here.
Retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, former Adjutant General of New Mexico, presided over the ceremony.
As a lieutenant colonel, Nava commanded the 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during its deployment to Iraq from 2009 to 2010.
Chaparro served first as the battalion’s Signal Officer (S-6) and later Intelligence Officer (S-2) in Iraq.
Nava “remained a steady mentor throughout my career,” Chaparro said.
Nava presented Chaparro with the Meritorious Service Medal, New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal, a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and a New Mexico state flag.
Members of the Recruiting & Retention Battalion’s Las Cruces Recruiting Team conducted a U.S. flag folding ceremony before presenting the flag to Chaparro. Chaparro formerly commanded the Recruiting & Retention Battalion.
Nava and Chaparro presented the Military Spouse Certificate to Chaparro’s wife Marlene and Military Child Appreciation Certificates to Chaparro’s children Leticia, Miranda, Emiliano and Celestina.
Chaparro also gave flowers to his wife and daughters, his mother, Elsa Tovar, and mother-in-law Karin Martinez.
The room was filled with military and law enforcement uniforms.
Chaparro’s daughter Celestina, who is a specialist assigned to the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 615th Transportation Battalion, served as master of ceremonies. She “did an outstanding job,” her father said.
Chaparro’s youngest brother, Capt. Cruz Tovar, served as acting chaplain and provided the invocation and benediction. Tovar is the Behavioral Health Officer and Clinical Psychologist for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colo.
Chaparro’s middle brother, Edgar Chaparro, also participated. He is a K-9 Agent for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Chaparro’s nephews, Staff Sgt. Edgar Chaparro and Airmen 1st Class Sebastian Chaparro were part of the ceremony. They are both assigned to the 204th Security Forces Squadron, Texas Air National Guard.
Chaparro’s niece, Staff Sgt. Natalie Chaparro, attended. She is also a member of the Texas Air National Guard.
Fittingly, the ceremony was hosted by Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery, Texas Army National Guard – the first National Guard unit Chaparro served in after transitioning from active duty with the Regular Army.
“The ceremony was truly special for me,” Chaparro said.
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