UMAVA (United Mexican-American Veterans Association)

"Honoring Yesterday, Appreciating Today, Inspiring Tomorrow" . . . . . . . the premier Mexican-American Veterans Association in America

Leaders and Governance
    BOARD of DIRECTORS:
    • UMAVA is governed by an elected Board of Directors and Officers, who serve for ONE-Year terms, as per changes to the Bylaws approved by UMAVA's membership.  
    • Members are generally nominated in October, and elected in November; and serve their terms in January - December.


    HONORARY MEMBERS:
    • Former CA State Senator Lou Correa, Veterans Affairs Chairman
    • Carlos Palomino, former World Boxing champion; US Army Veteran
      • Actor (30 movies); Entrepreneur

    Carlos Palomino (L); Lou Correa (R)


    The Board of Directors, Officers and Honorary Members have exhibited passion, determination and dedication in managing UMAVA for the benefit of our Veterans and members, and in planning for our promising future.


    UMAVA consists primarily of Mexican-American Combat Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq (OIF), and Afghanistan (OEF).


    BOARD / OFFICER BIOS:

    Image: 

    Francisco J. Barragan, Commander

    (first elected in 2009; continuously reelected through the PRESENT)

    1)  USMC Bootcamp picture - Graduated Aug 28, 1987 - Fox Co Platoon 2059

    2)  Me - Fall 2009

    3)  Mihail Gorbachev and his wife Raisa (not visible - RIP) and my CA Army National Guard Buddies (on right side of pic from Gorbachev)
    Ibrahim; Peter Shear (met in US Marines training Sept 1987 - still best friends) and then we also transferred to CA ARNG; and Me

    4)  My Friend Zuleika (she was an MP at Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin and got a special award for helping the East Germans cross over when the wall came down;  and Me in our Army Class A uniform -  Picture 1995-1996 - we are still good friends.

    Francisco J. Barragán
    Commander & Board Member
    Certified Public Accountant
    Certified Internal Auditor
    Passed Certified Information Systems Auditor Exam - 2008
    Commander@umava.org

    CLICK HERE For Summary of PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

    Francisco B. was born in Michoacán-Mexico, came to the US at age 9, served in the US Marines Corps (1987-1994) and graduated as the Top Honor Graduate from his MOS school; and also served in the CA Army National Guard (1994-1997).  Francisco has traveled to 28 countries and 22 states and has an interest in languages.  Served as Vice-Commander & UMAVA's PR Officer, successfully brought visibility to UMAVA by writing or having several articles published by the OC Register; and La Opinion (the largest Spanish newspaper in the Nation). 
    Since coming on-board with UMAVA, Francisco has participated in various major Veteran focused activities occurring throughout Orange County, and Los Angeles County, CA. 


    Francisco's vision is to have UMAVA grow into a successful national organization that continues to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the American Veteran in general and the Latino, Hispanic Mexican-American Veteran in particular, and that provides a nurturing environment for all Veterans.  Francisco feels privileged in serving our Veterans, and believes that for our Veterans and families that have faced the trauma of combat, with UMAVA there is Healing through Unity! 

    Francisco is grateful for the efforts of our dedicated leaders and volunteers, and for the generous support of our community partners and sponsors!


    Francisco also volunteers extensively to help improve our community by leading or serving in Boards of Directors of other professional, or social cause organizations.

    Image: 
    Ralph Colin
    Vice-Commander & Board Member
    Vice-Commander@umava.org

    Ralph is a Vietnam combat veteran, and served in the US Army.  He earned the Purple Heart and other commendations.  Ralph is one of five brothers who have served in our US military.  Ralph is a member of other veterans organizations.

    Sid Gauna, UMAVA CFO & Board Member
    Sid Gauna

    Isidro "Sid" Gauna
    Board Member
    Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Sgt-at-Arms

    CFO@umava.org

    Sid served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam.  Sid is UMAVA's long-term CFO.  Sid has also served with the American Legion for about 25 years.
    Sid's dedication to service for our Veterans and Members is unsurpassed.

    Image: 
    Antonio Méndez
    Board Member, and Co-Chair Events Coodinator
    Board-AMendez@umava.org

    Antonio is a WWII combat veteran, served in the US Army,  and earned the Silver Star, among other commendations.
    Pictured to the left in his WWII Army Uniform, and during combat operations in Belgium.
    He gave "permission" for the troops to drink a little confiscated beer, not realizing it was a significant quantity....He was talked into enjoying a little brew in his canteen, and is pictured holding the "evidence".



    Elsie Mendez, UMAVA, Mexican-American veteans, Hispanic veterans, Latino veterans, WWII heroes, US Army Silver Star Recipients, Battle of the Bulge, Remaggen Bridge, Belgian Fourragere
    Elsie Mendez, UMAVA Board member - wife of 67 years to WWII hero (Antonio)
    Elsie Méndez
    Board Member & Co-Chair Events Coordinator
    Board-EMendez@umava.org

    Elsie has been married to Antonio M. WWII veteran for over 67 years.  Because of Elsie's passion for service and recognition of our veterans community, UMAVA has successfully raised funds for our Ben De Leon Scholarship Fund, through casino trips and fundraising dinners, parties, tardeadas, 50-50 and other opportunity drawings.

    Joe Mendoza, US Army, UMAVA, Mexican-American veteran, Hispanic veteran, Latino veteran,
    Joe Mendoza, US Army - UMAVA Secretary & Color Guard member
    Joe Mendoza
    Secretary - General Membership
    Secretary@umava.org

    Joe served served in our US military.  He is a Safety/OSHA specialist. 

    Ed Romero, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, 3 wars veteran, Mexican-American Veteran, Latino Veteran, Hispanic veteran, Chaplain, UMAVA,
    Ed Romero, USN (Lt. Cdr. Ret.) - WWII, Korea, Vietnam
    Ed Romero, Chaplain - USN (Lt Cdr. - Retired)
    Served WWII; Korea and Vietnam eras
    Chaplain@umava.org

    Jose Martinez, USMC, US Marines, UMAVA, Mexican-American Veterans Associations, Latino veterans, Hispanic veterans
    Jose Martinez, USMC, UMAVA Color Guard Leader
    Jose Martinez,
    UMAVA Board Member & Color Guard Leader

    Jose Martinez served 15 years in the US Marine Corps.

    Pic:  Nelida Yanez, Sgt US Army, UMAVA, United Mexican-American Veterans Association, Hispanic, Latino, Advocating for Veterans and Education, College Trustee, Rancho Santiago College District
    Nelida Yañez, Sgt US Army (Past UMAVA Commaner, Current Color Guard Leader)
    Hon. Nelida Yañez
    Board Member & Public Relations Officer
    • Past Commander
    • Past Color Guard Leader
    • Rancho Santiago Community College District- Trustee

    Nelida served overseas in the US Army.  Nelida has a Masters in Public Administration.  Nelida is long-term community leader who also serves in other national organizations with a strong local presence.  Nelida Yañez was elected as a Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee in November 2012.

    Ray Ybarra, Mexican-American Veterans, Latino veterans, Hispanic Veterans, UMAVA, US Army, Vietnam era
    Ray Ibarra, UMAVA Board Member
    Ray Ybarra
    Board Member & Assistant Secretary
    Ray-Ybarra@umava.org

    Ray served in the US Army, during the Vietnam era.  Ray supports other community organizations through his active participation, i.e. Relay-for-Life.

    Carol Martinez, UMAVA, Mexican-American veterans, Hispanic veterans, Latino veterans, spouses of veterans, spouses of US Marines, children of veterans
    Carol Martinez, UMAVA Board Member
    Carol Martinez
    Board Member



    Sal Lujan, Mexican-American Veteran, Hispanic veteran, Latino veteran, US Army, Korea combat veteran, UMAVA
    Sal Lujan, US Army (Korea combat veteran)
    Sal Lujan
    Board Member & Sgt-at-Arms
    Korea combat veteran - US Army




    Current Board Members:
    1. Francisco J. Barragán CPA, CIA    (US Marines & CA Army NG)
    2. Ralph Colin                                             (Vietnam - US Army)
    3. Isidro Gauna                                 (Vietnam - US Marines)
    4. Jose Martinez                              (US Marines)
    5. Antonio Méndez                 (WWII - Army; Silver Star recipient)
    6. Elsie Méndez
    7. Ed Romero                           (USN - Lt. Cdr. Ret.:  WWII, Korea, Vietnam)
    8. Hon. Nelida Yañez                         (US Army)
    9. Ray Ybarra                                 (US Army)
    10. Sal Lujan                  (US Army- Korea)
    11. Carol Martinez    

    Current Officers:

    • Francisco J. Barragán CPA, CIA, Commander (2009-Present)
    • Ralph Colin, Vice-Commander
    • Isidro Gauna, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Sgt-at-Arms
    • Joe Mendoza, Secretary
      • Ray Ybarra, Assistant Secretary
    • Hon. Nelida M. Yañez, Public Relations Officer
    • Antonio Méndez, Co-Chair, Events Coordinator
    • Elsie Méndez, Co-Chair, Events Coordinator
    • Jose Martínez (US Marines), Color Guard Leader
    • Ed Romero, Chaplain
    • Sal Lujan, Sgt-at-Arms

    Past Commanders:
    • Francisco J. Barragán CPA, CIA, (2009 to Present)
    • Nelida Yañez (US Army)
    • Fred Bella            (Korea - Army)
    • Harvey Reyes (see pic #3)



    Fred Bella, Aug 2009
    Fred Bella
    UMAVA Co-Founder along with other Veterans

    Korea Combat Veterans.  Co-Founded UMAVA for members to exchange war stories and record them in an oral history project.  Grateful for public recognition for the military contributions of Mexican-Americans veterans. Served in the US Army for five years.

    After getting out, he struggled to find work in the fields of San Joaquin Valley.  He found a job in Santa Ana at Gilroy Foods, where he worked for 35 years.  Fred has served as a civic leader in other capacities over the years in Orange County.


    UMAVA Charter - Co-Founders:

    Sid Gauna, US Marines - Vietnam veteran
    Sgt. Salvador Lujan, Korea combat veteran;
    Frank Luna;
    Antonio Mendez, (Silver Star recipient) - US Army - WWII combat veteran;
    Frank Ramirez (Silver Star recipient) - US Army - Korea combat veteran
    Harvey Reyes, civilian;
    Robert Colin (RIP) - US Army Korea veteran;
    Ben De León (RIP) - WWII US Army.

     
     

    GOVERNANCE

    AMENDED BYLAWS APPROVED BY OUR MEMBERSHIP


    Document
    UMAVA's Amended Bylaws as approved by Members
    UMAVA is a registered Not-for-Profit.
    501 c(19) - special type of military veterans organization
    Donations are Tax Deductible

    UMAVA's MISSION & VALUES

    Leaders and Governance

    Historical Contributions

    Our Foundation & Our Flag

    INFO & NEWS Articles

    Gallery of Events/Photos

    CALENDAR of EVENTS

    Contact Us

    FAQs

    TO JOIN UMAVA

    Volunteer

    VETERANS COALITION of OC

    Resources for Veterans

    Books

    Sponsors and Partners

    Sponsorship Benefits

    Sponsors & Partners

    In Memoriam !

    Amin David

    Memorial Day

    Veterans Day

    ORAL Histories/VIDEOS