San Angelo Chamber recognizes Goodfellow Marine

  • Published
  • By Robert D. Martinez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A member from Goodfellow AFB, was selected as the 2010 San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Order of Merit recipient at a luncheon, March 9.

Staff Sgt. Samuel Castro, Marine Corps Detachment, Goodfellow was presented the award by Bob Brewer, Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

The city of San Angelo and Goodfellow have a one-of-a-kind relationship and each demonstrates it's appreciation in their own way. Goodfellow continuously gives by providing thousands of hours of volunteer service to worthy causes and efforts. Among other gestures, San Angelo shows its gratitude every year by hosting the Goodfellow Community appreciation day at Lake Nasworthy with free food and entertainment for the entire base. Sometimes San Angelo shows its appreciation to the individual. The pinnacle of this exclusive recognition is the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee Order of Merit.

"We asked Goodfellow to select nominees who exhibited outstanding professional military performance and exemplary civic involvement," said Sandra Pomroy "The candidates for the Order of Merit Award must have a proven track record and is obviously a person that leads by example in an effort to exhibit exemplary performance in everyday duties and must be community minded."

Every year Goodfellow nominates five service members representing the best of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. The nominees this year were Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Perkins, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion; Navy Chief Petty Officer Jose Suarez, Information Dominance Detachment; Marine Staff Sgt. Samuel Castro; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Klima, 315th Training Squadron and Senior Airman Francisco Manitas, 17th Comptroller Squadron.

From these nominees, the Chamber selects one individual in appreciation for their outstanding leadership, self-improvement and contributions to the community.

"This is the fourteenth year the Chamber of Commerce has presented the Order of Merit award" said Sandra Pomroy, Events Coordinator from the Chamber of Commerce, "and every year it's always a very difficult task to select just one recipient for the Order of Merit Award because all the candidates are simply outstanding."

This year's recipient, Staff Sgt. Castro is a course supervisor for the Spanish Cryptologic Language Course. He is responsible for all administrative and training requirements of the occupational specialty on Goodfellow, producing course control, curriculum updates, instructional aides, professional development and mentorship for students and instructors. Staff Sgt. Castro is a Boy Scouts of America Tiger and Wolf Den Leader and Pack Councilman. He is also the head coach of the Fort Concho Elementary Rookies Chess Team and serves as a regular guest speaker for the Goliad Elementary Positive Role Models in Drug Education.

"Staff Sgt. Castro is undoubtedly one of the top Staff Sergeants in the detachment and one of the most dynamic staff noncommissioned officers I have ever observed," said Capt. Douglas March, MCD Commanding Officer "He creates his own opportunities, translating his expertise and experience into forward thinking and innovative techniques. Staff Sgt. Castro is well respected by the junior Marines and his peers, many of who strive to emulate him."

Col. David Rearick, 17th Training Wing vice commander, was the guest speaker representing Goodfellow and addressed the audience on the state of Goodfellow.