Mexican WWII hero speaks to Hispanic Chamber

The Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has completed plans for their annual Gala and Banquet, which will be held at the Lockhart Evening Lions” Club on Bufkin Lane on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a catered dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7 p.m.
The Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Comm

erce had a big year in 2006, and the organization has plenty to celebrate: beginning with the planning and successful execution of their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. They followed up with a successful Summer Bash and a well-attended Diez y Seis celebration. In addition, the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted their first annual Business Expo and Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) quarterly meeting in November.
This year”s festivities will include a speaking appearance by Captain Reynaldo Perez Gallardo (Ret.) of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. Gallardo, who now lives in Austin and runs a trucking company, was a member of the famed Flight Squadron 201, a Mexican Air Force Squadron that was dual-trained in the United States and Mexico and was noted during World War II for its heroic participation in the liberation of Luzon from Japanese forces. Squadron 201 was the only Mexican Air Force fleet to leave Mexican soil on a fighting mission in history.
Two special political guests have been invited to this year”s banquet as well.
Newly elected Texas Senator Glenn Hegar, who won election as District 18 Senator in 2006, is scheduled to attend, along with State Representative Patrick Rose.
Hegar, a sixth-generation Texan and former State Representative, has replaced Sen. Kenneth Armbrister as Caldwell County”s representative in the Texas Senate. He will attend the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber”s banquet in part to hold up his commitment to work with his district”s leaders and business owners to find “common sense solutions to the unique challenges facing the State of Texas.”
Hegar, his wife and daughter reside in Katy, Texas.
Rose is expected to present one of the Hispanic Chamber”s coveted “Orgullo Awards.”
Tickets for the annual Gala and Banquet are $20 each, and can be purchased from Alfredo Munoz. For ticket information or reservations, contact Munoz at 512-461-1101.