How To Nominate A Hispanic Military Hero In Abilene

Nominate an Abilene Hispanic Military Hero for Special Honor

Some people serve their community. Others serve their country. And some remarkable West Texans spend their lives doing both.

Get our free mobile app

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Council is asking us to help find one of those deserving individuals.

The council is accepting nominations for a Hispanic member of the United States Armed Forces who has demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to the community.

Nominees may be active-duty military, Reserve, National Guard, veterans, or retired military personnel.

But don't wait. Nominations close October 1, 2026.

This One Hits Close to Home for Me

Anyone who knows me knows how strongly I feel about recognizing the men and women who put on the uniform of the United States military.

For me, it's personal.

My nephew, U.S. Army Sgt. Reuben Marcus Fernandez III, was born and raised right here in Abilene. Marcus graduated from Cooper High School in 2004, joined the Army, and served two tours in Iraq.

On October 11, 2008, at only 22 years old, Marcus gave his life when the military vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device in Iraq.

Marcus also grew up playing baseball and sports on Abilene's north side. That's one reason I recently nominated him when our community was considering a new name for the recreation center at Sears Park.

I've learned something through Marcus: we shouldn't wait until our heroes are gone to tell them how much their service means to us.

Who Is Your Military Hero?

Maybe you know someone who served for 20 years. Maybe it's a young airman at Dyess Air Force Base, an Army veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserve, or someone who quietly returned home after serving our country and continued serving the Abilene community.

Tell their story.

The Hispanic Business Council wants nominations to include the person's military accomplishments and the impact they've made both in the military and in the community they call home.

NOMINATE A DESERVING MILITARY MEMBER HERE:
The Abilene Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Council is seeking your nominations, and you must include the person's military accomplishments and impact they made in the community. Go here to nominate.

Honoree Will Be Recognized at Business Mercado

The selected honoree will be recognized during Business Mercado 2026: Fiesta en el Barrio, “Bringing Neighborhoods Together,” on Saturday, October 10.

The annual Hispanic Business Council event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th Street, and celebrates Hispanic culture while bringing businesses, families, and the community together.

Expect a family-friendly celebration featuring businesses, networking, mariachi, ballet folklórico, and plenty of Hispanic culture.

My boss, Townsquare Media Market President Christopher Sanchez, also serves on the Hispanic Business Council Executive Committee.

So here's my challenge to Abilene and the Big Country: think of that Hispanic serviceman or servicewoman whose story deserves to be told.

Then nominate them.

Our military heroes have already raised their hands to serve us. This time, let's raise our hands for them.