2023 Veteran Spotlight

Joined the Army in 1993 as a PVT, retired in 2017 as a Major. 24 years service. 

Deployed 5 times.

Awards: Bronze Star-2, Meritorious Service Medal-4, Joint Service 

Commendation Medal , Army Commendation Medal-5, Joint Achievement 

Medal, Army Achievement Medal-3, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, 

Combat Action Badge

I completed a Welding Program and was Tig Welding stainless steel in a 

fabrication shop but the work aggravated my previous injuries. Switched to real 

estate part time and working at a golf course part time as well.

I try to live the best life I can since so many didn’t get the chance

My name is Ramon Zapata Jr. I joined the Army in January of 2007. I completed OSUT at Ft LeonardWood Missouri as a Combat Engineer and Heavy Equipment Operator. After completion of OSUT I was then also stationed at Ft Leonard Wood Missouri, soon after completing OSUT I was deployed to a 15 month deployment to Iraq with 94th Engineer Battalion 103rd Engineer Company. Upon my return from Iraq I then was stationed in Ft Carson Colorado with the 1-67AR BN E Company. Shortly after arriving with Ft. Carson I deployed with 2STB C Company for a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan. After returning to Ft. Carson with 2STB we deployed again to Kuwait for a 9 month deployment. Upon returning from Kuwait I PCS to Ft Bliss Texas where I deployed with 2EN Battalion B Company for 3 months to Kuwait. During my 10 years of service with the Army I received 3 Army Achievements Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 1 Valorous Unit Award, 1 Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global Ware on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge for wheel and track Vehicles. 

Retired US Army Master Sergeant that served 20 years, from 1995-2015. Service included 3 combat tours in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

Awards include 4 Bronze Star medals, Purple Heart, 3 Meritorious Service medals, Army Commendation medal w/ V device, 5 Army Commendation medals, 9 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Meritorious Unit Commendation and 2 Presidential Unit Citation.

Since retiring in 2015, I've worked as a diesel mechanic for 5 years while attending college. I've completed a Bachelor's degree and 2 Master's degrees. 

I'm currently employed with General Dynamics Land Systems as a New Equipment Trainer for the Abrams tank. I live in Lorena, Texas with my wife Erin.