2025 Crown Royal Military Salute

Travis Lewis is the Bravo Flight Non-Commissioned Officer, Flight Chief and a MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator evaluator and instructor at the 147^th Attack Wing, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base here in Houston. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2008. He has logged over 2,600 combat support hours in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He has earned numerous awards and decorations including the Aerial Achievement Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Sergeant First Class Johnson is currently an Army Recruiter. She joined the Army in 2023 and later became a Logistics Specialist where she worked in the chemical warfare career field ensuring post-deployment gear was operational for future mobility rotations. She has been recognized as a Battalion Top Recruiting Non-Commissioned Officer. Her decorations include earning the Recruiting Gold Badge and Ring, the Army Achievement and Commendation Medals, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and the Gold German Armed Forces Badge.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Donald Grinter served in the United States Navy for two decades before retiring honorably in May 2009. Throughout his distinguished career, he served aboard several ships, where he contributed significantly to the well-being and operational success of his units. His contributions in both peacetime and operational deployments, including support during global conflicts and humanitarian missions, earned him a reputation as a dedicated and highly skilled sailor.

Throughout his time in the Navy, he earned numerous medals and awards for his leadership including 5 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, 6 Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Hunter Feeny is a Gunners Mate currently stationed at the United States Coast Guard Sector Houston – Galveston. Petty Officer Feeny is responsible for the maintenance and accountability of the Coast Guard’s firearms and weapons systems, ammunition, and pyrotechnics throughout the state of Texas.

He was recently recognized with the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his actions in supplying vital equipment to units in preparation for the hurricanes that affected Florida and North Carolina.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Hector Sanchez enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004. He currently serves as the Inspector Instructor for 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Marines, 4^th Marine Division. He has served in multiple Marine specialties throughout his career including Drill Instructor, Corrections Specialist, Duty Brig Supervisor, Detainee Operations and other Law Enforcement positions.

He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and served as the Detachment Commander at U.S. Consulates in Chengdu, China, Monterrey, Mexico, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Sergeant Major Sanchez’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

David Rios is the Deputy Airfield Manager at the 147^th Attack Wing, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, here in Houston. He supported the largest wildfire in Texas history by managing the flight plan that led to the first ever MQ-9 Reaper domestic operations in the state.

He entered active duty in 2012 and was later deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Kobani, Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

He has been awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air and Space Achievement Medal and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with silver star.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Dwight Bibbins is a native Houstonian that enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2003. He is currently the Operations Chief for 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Marines. He has had multiple deployments throughout his twenty-two years as a Marine. These include tours in Ramadi, Iraq as a squad rifleman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as a team leader supporting recovery operations during the Philippines mudslides, and to Afghanistan as a squad leader in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Master Sergeant Bibbins decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

 Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

He is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the 372^nd Quartermaster Battalion Commander. He has served in combat multiple times while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan and Iraqi Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

He has volunteered with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 13 years. He has competed in the World’s Championship Bar B Que Contest since 2011 as a member of the Top Hand Cookers. He is currently serving in his 8^th year with the Armed Forces Appreciation Committee.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Ruben Davila enlisted in the Army in 1998 and has held numerous roles in his career, including 6 years as a First Sergeant and over 3 ½ years serving in a Command Sergeant Major capacity. During his 26-year career, he has completed 24 combat tours in support of operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous no-notice contingency operations around the world.

Sergeant Major Davila’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation Award.

He is currently serving with the Army Headquarters G-3/5/7 Directorate, Aviation Management Office.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

April Ruiz joined the Texas Air National Guard in 2021. In her short time serving our country, she volunteered to fill a short notice deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She has been deployed to other various assignments to protect our country’s interest and national security.

Senior Airman Ruiz has been awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal and was selected as the 2024 Air National Guard’s Aviation Resource Manager Airman of the Year.

She is currently an Aviation Resource Manager Specialist for the 147^th Attack Wing, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, here in Houston.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Dazel Vereen joined the Army in 2017 and has served for 8 years in numerous operational units. He served at Fort Drum in New York with the 1^st Battalion, 10^th Aviation Regiment, an attack helicopter battalion in the Army’s 10^th Combat Aviation Brigade and a tour at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii with the 25^th Infantry Division, an artillery division that provides fire support. During his operational tours he spent 10 months deployed in Afghanistan.

He has been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Combat Medal.

He is an Aviation Operations Specialist currently serving as a Recruiter at the Houston Recruiting Battalion.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Luis Martinez is an Avionics Electrical Technician currently assigned to the United States Coast Guard Air Station Houston. He is responsible for inspecting and maintaining aircraft systems on the unit’s three MH-65 helicopters while also serving as Flight Mechanic for search and rescue missions along the Texas coast.

During his service he has been awarded a Good Conduct Medal and was recently named as the Air Station Houston Enlisted Person of the Quarter.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Jamie Weisel joined the Navy in 2006 and medically retired in 2012. He was deployed aboard the USS Harry S Truman. While serving he earned numerous awards and decorations including two Flag Letters of Commendations, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with the skills and qualification of a sharpshooter.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Steven Sosa is an Operations Specialists currently stationed here at United States Coast Guard Sector Houston – Galveston with 18 years of service. He serves as a Vessel Traffic Service Operator where he coordinates vessel transits to allow safe voyages for commercial traffic, producing $2.5 billion of commerce per day. He was recognized with the Commendation Medal for standing duty for 36 consecutive hours throughout Hurricane Harvey. He maintained communication with over 30 aircrafts on 230 missions to save or assist over 1,700 lives.

Generally, we recognize the service member’s career achievement but tonight is particularly special. Petty Officer First Class Sosa was recently selected to Chief Petty Officer. This rank is the most significant advancement in the career of an enlisted member of the Coast Guard. It requires the combination of technical and leadership skills.

The Chief Petty Officer insignia is an anchor which symbolizes stability and security, a reminder of the Chief’s responsibility to keep those that they serve safe from harm and to maintain the finest traditions of the Coast Guard. His Anchors are being pinned on by his wife Jennifer and their son Stephen.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Jose Alvarez joined the Marine Corps in 2001and currently serves as 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Marines Assistant Operations Chief. His first duty station was in Okinawa, Japan. He has deployed multiple times in his career including to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of Task Force Al Asad. He has also been deployed to the European and Central Command areas of responsibility and participated in exercises with Saudi Arabian and United Emirate forces.

His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 4 Gold Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Zachary Sweeney is a Boatswain’s Mate currently assigned to Sabine Pass, Texas as the Operations Petty Officer and First Lieutenant. He is responsible for maintaining all aids to navigation in the waterways of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. He schedules all operations for repair and maintenance to the region’s Maritime Transportation System, keeping these vital waterways and the nation’s largest ports open.

He was recently awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his actions in reconstituting ports after Hurricane Beryl. He led his team to correct 26 discrepant aids resulting in the reopening of the Houston Ship Channel just 36 hours after the storm had passed.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Norman Renfro is a Texas native who commissioned in 2008 and attended the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia. He currently serves as the Inspector-Instructor for 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Marines. He has deployed multiple times during his career to hot spots such as Afghanistan, Bahrain, Romania and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of multiple operations including Operations Enduring Freedom and Unified Protector.

He has served as Executive Officer, Aide de Camp, and Commander positions in the field and at Marine Corps Headquarters.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” with star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Honored at RODEOHOUSTON on Sunday, March 23, 2025.