For some, the call to serve is difficult to explain. For Jean, joining the United States Air Force was simply something she had always felt compelled to do. “I just needed to serve,” she shared. What followed was a remarkable journey of perseverance, breaking barriers, personal sacrifice, and a lifelong dedication to helping others.

Jean's military journey didn't begin without obstacles. After graduating from high school, she attempted to enlist in the Air Force but was unable to pass the physical examination. A couple of years later, she tried again, this time successfully. In 1979, she joined the Air Force determined to become an air traffic controller.

When recruiters told her that her desired position wasn't available, she refused to settle for another assignment. Despite scoring exceptionally well on her entrance exam and being offered nearly any position she wanted, Jean remained firm. “Well then, call me when you do,” she told them. Two weeks later, the call came.

After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and excelling in technical school, where she graduated early, Jean reported to her first duty station at Eglin Air Force Base in 1980. But her arrival came with an unexpected challenge.

When she introduced herself to her chief controller, his response was discouraging. “Women don't belong in this career field, and you're not going to make it,” he told her.

Jean's response was simple but powerful: “You just hide and watch.”

At the time, Jean was the only female air traffic controller at Eglin Tower. In 1981, when President Ronald Reagan fired the striking PATCO air traffic controllers, Jean was deployed from Eglin to Newark International Airport, where she served for nearly two years. Over her four years of active-duty service, she achieved the rank of E-4, known then as buck sergeant.

Although she loved her military career and wished she could have continued, Jean eventually made the difficult decision to leave active duty to focus on raising a family. Her first husband served as an Air Force pararescueman, or PJ, a member of one of the military's elite rescue forces. With both parents serving on active duty, she knew raising a family would present significant challenges.

Jean devoted 15 years to being a stay-at-home wife and mother before pursuing a new calling in nursing. She earned her bachelor's degree at age 38, a decision that would prove especially meaningful when tragedy struck. Just one year after she graduated, her husband was killed, only six months before his anticipated military retirement.

Her children were still young, and Jean faced the challenge of moving forward while raising her family.

Through it all, her commitment to caring for others never wavered. She went on to work in trauma nursing, serve as a flight nurse and sexual assault nurse examiner, and eventually pursue graduate education in nurse anesthesia.

Today, at 67, Jean continues her career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a role she has held for nearly 20 years. She works with Main Street Anesthesia, serves as chief of anesthesia for Eye Associates across three facilities, and also provides anesthesia services for Hermosa Plastic Surgery.

Outside her professional accomplishments, Jean is affectionately known as “Mama Jean,” a nickname that has followed her throughout the years. She has also found happiness again, sharing nearly 16 years of marriage with her husband, Nat.

Reflecting on her experiences, Jean offers a reminder about the importance of family: “You only get one chance to raise your kids. You don't get a do-over.”

From breaking barriers in military aviation to navigating unimaginable loss and building a successful healthcare career, Jean's story reflects extraordinary resilience and service.

And through it all, one belief remains especially meaningful to her:

Lt. Col. Natividad Arrieta dedicated 22 years to the United States Air Force. What began as an opportunity to travel while he was young quickly became something much more meaningful—a commitment to serving his country. Throughout his career, he served in numerous roles, including navigator, weapons systems officer, electronic warfare officer, flight instructor, and flight leader. His assignments took him across the United States and around the world, including Thailand during the closing years of the Vietnam War, the United Kingdom, and several Air Force bases throughout the country.

Later in his career, Lt. Col. Arrieta helped develop and evaluate international electronic warfare exercises and directed teams conducting operational testing for new Air Force equipment. After retiring, he continued serving his community by helping Bernalillo County establish and staff a new 911 call center before joining Honeywell on a Department of Energy contract supporting the nation’s defense program. Looking back on his time in the Air Force, what he misses most is the people and the shared dedication to accomplishing the mission—an experience he says gave him opportunities and a life beyond anything he could have imagined growing up.

James Brown served in the US Navy as an E3 Boatswain’s Mate for eight years, during which he took part in the Gulf War and earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. He was inspired to join the military by a family tradition of service and a desire to fight for freedom. Drawn to the Navy due to his love of the ocean, Mr. Brown wanted to travel the world, experience new cultures, and escape the desert where he
grew up. Mr. Brown began his military journey in Naval Boot Camp at San Diego, California.

His first assignment was at the Naval Station in Yokosuka, Japan, where he was forward deployed to the Gulf War. Later, he was stationed at the New Mexico Naval Reserves in Albuquerque. As a Boatswain’s Mate, he supervised ship maintenance, rigging, deck equipment, and seamanship. He also cross-trained as an Operations Specialist, managing radar
systems, air traffic control, and communications in the Combat Information Center.

After his military service, Mr. Brown pursued his education, obtaining a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D) from the University of New
Mexico in 2002. He fondly recalls the excitement of pulling into foreign ports and the joy of discovering new cultures and adventures
during his naval travels.

David Eagle served in a Marine Corps Reserve Force Reconnaissance unit stationed at Pearl Harbor before the Vietnam War, an experience that had a profound and positive impact on his life. "The Marine Corps changed the trajectory of my life, in a good way,” shared Mr. Eagle. His time in the Marines instilled in him the values of discipline and teamwork, shaping the direction of his future. While stationed in Honolulu as part of the Marine Corps Reserve, Mr. Eagle also pursued his passion for football, playing at the collegiate level for the University of Oregon, and the University of Hawaii where he was a two year starter on both offense and defense. The skills and mindset he gained from the Marines played a significant role in his military service, as well as his success on the football field, and continued to guide him in future endeavors throughout life.

Staff Sergeant George William Elliott, Jr. served six years in the United States Air Force, including four years of active duty and two years in the inactive reserve. Inspired by generations of military service in his family, he enlisted in 1965 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base followed by technical training at Goodfellow Air Force Base. He was then assigned to Detachment 2 of the 6910th Security Wing at Camp Pieri near Wiesbaden, Germany. During his service, George distinguished himself through both his military work and athletics, graduating at the top of his technical training class, representing his base in football and wrestling, and earning promotion to Staff Sergeant in less than four years.

After completing active duty in 1969, George returned to college and earned a degree in Political Science before beginning a longtime career in real estate. He has remained close with many of the men he served alongside, continuing to attend reunions with members of his former unit throughout the country. Looking back, George says what he misses most is the sense of purpose and camaraderie that came with military service, along with the lifelong friendships and experiences he gained during his years in the Air Force.

Jacques Lemelin 
Captain Jacques Lemelin devoted 20 years to the United States Air Force, combining his passion for telecommunications with his desire to travel and serve his country. After completing Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base and electronics training at Keesler Air Force Base, his first assignment took him to RAF Bentwaters in England, where he also met his wife, Veronica. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a master’s degree in telecommunications engineering before taking on leadership roles throughout Europe.

During his career, Captain Lemelin served as a telecommunications engineer and later commanded a communications detachment at Pruem Air Station in Germany. His final assignment brought him to Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, where he managed the development of a tactical communication system before retiring in June 1982. After retirement, he continued his telecommunications career in Saudi Arabia, where he and Veronica lived with their five children for 10 years before returning to Albuquerque. His career reflects a lasting dedication to service, telecommunications, and the many opportunities his Air Force journey brought to his family.

Eloy Candelaria Jr. served in the United States Army as an infantry soldier from 1998 to 2002, achieving the rank of Sergeant (E‑5). His decision to join the military was deeply personal, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a WWII veteran, and his father, who served in Vietnam. Their stories of bravery inspired Mr. Candelaria to continue the family legacy. He attended basic training in Georgia before being assigned to Oahu, Hawaii. During his service, he deployed to California, Japan, Egypt, and Louisiana, earning numerous commendations and receiving the Quilt of Valor in 2023. He fondly recalls the deep bond shared with fellow soldiers and unforgettable experiences, from the intense heat of Egypt to the deep snows of Japan.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Candelaria attended the University of New Mexico, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Family Counseling in 2005. He also played football for UNM, participating in the Las Vegas Bowl. In 2007, he began his career with the New Mexico Corrections Department in Probation and Parole, becoming a supervisor in 2017. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, he discovered a passion for teaching while substituting at local schools, eventually becoming a full‑time second‑grade teacher at Hope Christian Elementary.

In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Candelaria is a certified 200‑hour yoga instructor and is currently completing his 500‑hour yoga teacher training, reflecting his dedication to personal growth, discipline, and holistic wellness.

Above all, Mr. Candelaria is a devoted father to his two children, Trey and Minka. He considers fatherhood his greatest honor, and the values he learned in the military — resilience, integrity, and service — guide the way he supports and mentors his children every day.

Although he misses the camaraderie and sense of purpose from his military days, Mr. Candelaria continues to apply the discipline and teamwork he learned in the Army to every chapter of his life.

Anoop Attreya
Anoop Attreya served in the U.S. Air Force from 1995 to 2016, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as a Public Health Officer. His inspiration to join the military came from his family—his uncle served in the Indian Air Force, while his brother-in-law’s service in the Indian Navy also influenced his decision. With a passion for technology and public health, Mr. Attreya chose the Air Force, believing it to be the best fit for him. Mr. Attreya’s training began in Montgomery, Alabama, after which he was stationed in various locations, including Delaware, Germany, Texas, and Clovis, NM; while also being deployed to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Romania, the UAE, and Qatar. When stationed locally at Kirtland Air Force Base, he worked for the Inspector General’s Office overseeing compliance for the entire Air Force. His role took him to all overseas Air Force bases, except two. While some experiences were difficult, Mr. Attreya found meaning in being part of important missions that contributed to making the world a better place. After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Attreya has continued his love of travel. He values meeting people from diverse cultures, a passion fostered during his military service. Mr. Attreya misses the camaraderie and teamwork he experienced in the military, not easily duplicated in civilian life, where success was shared among all: “In the military, you do something so the whole group looks good, not just the individual. He is wearing the same uniform as me, so if he succeeds, we all succeed.

John Williams served in the US Navy from 1962 to 1965, after being inspired by the 1950s TV show The Silent Service to become a submariner. After completing boot camp and electrician school in San Diego, Mr. Williams attended Submarine School in Connecticut. He served as an electrician on submarines during his time in the Navy.

One memorable moment Mr. Williams shared from his first submarine in Connecticut, was when he was part of a four-man crew tasked with painting the exterior of the sub. After hours of hard work, they discovered that they had mistakenly used battleship gray paint instead of black. Scrambling to fix the error, they worked late into the night, a mishap that left Mr. Williams with a lifelong aversion to painting.

After completing his military service, Mr. Williams pursued higher education, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. Embarking on a successful academic career at Oklahoma State University, he earned tenure in the College of Business. Mr. Williams later transitioned to the corporate world, working in Human Resources. Alongside his professional achievements, he has been happily married for 54 years and has two children.

Reflecting on his Navy experience, Mr. Williams credits the military with shaping his character. The challenges of his service transformed him from a playful 17-year-old into a responsible adult. He fondly remembers the camaraderie, discipline, and the confidence it instilled in him, preparing him for all stages of his life.