UNLV graduates commissioned

Dick Benoit

Thursday, May 23, 2002 | 8:30 a.m.

Four UNLV graduates, including two Desert Storm veterans, took the oath as commissioned officers in the Army during ceremonies in the Moyer Student Union Saturday night following commencement ceremonies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Fernando Gomez and Jennifer Toledano, both Army veterans and UNLV workforce education majors, swore allegiance, along with Meia Lopez, a political science major, and Angie Oliveros, a psychology major.

Lopez, daughter of Darrell Sr. and Yong Lopez of Las Vegas, is a 1997 graduate of Las Vegas Academy.

A group of about 70 family and friends gathered for the commissioning and pinning of the new second lieutenants.

Before the commissioning they witnessed the presentation of the Army Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. Maj. Ray Seegers, non-commissioned officer in charge of the UNLV "coyote detachment" of the University of Nevada, Reno Army ROTC program.

Lt. Col. Paul Keith, UNR professor of military science, presented the medal to Seegers, who is completing a three-year tour as a mentor for UNLV and Community College of Southern Nevada students participating in the program.

Retired Army Col. John Hathcock, a 23-year Army professional and Desert Storm veteran, was the keynote speaker for the event. He expressed pride in participating in the commissioning of the four soldiers, particularly the Gomez and Toledano who both served in the Army's 7th Corps along with Hathcock during the Gulf War.

New medal authorized

Members of all services, including those in the National Guard and Reserves, who have served in active duty since Sept. 11 are eligible to wear the National Defense Service Medal.

The brass medal featuring an American eagle with spread wings and the words "National Defense" is awarded for service during a time of war or conflict. It is suspended on a ribbon of alternating red, yellow and red vertical bars separated by red, white and blue rules.

Service members have previously earned the medal or ribbon during three periods: the Korean War era from 1950 to 1954, from 1960 to 1974 during the Vietnam War, and during the Gulf War buildup, conflict and occupation, 1990 to 1995.

President Dwight Eisenhower originally established the medal on April 22, 1953, during the Korean War.

In brief

Garcia, the son of Jose and Brenda Garcia of Las Vegas, is an infantryman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry.