August - About

spent several of his formative years - from age10 to 18 - growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.He considers himself a cross-culturalblend (Malaysian and American) and admitsthat his experiences and travel in his youthhelped to guide him towards the Air Force asa career.“You know the saying,” he says. “Join themilitary and see the world.” And see the worldhe did! He has visited over 35 countries andhas lived in 7 states and 3 foreign countries.His family settled here in 2006 making Williamsburgthe second longest place he has everlived.Like many servicemen and women, Lt.Col.Chavez was deployed countless times. Duringhis years of active service he collected manymemories, some better than others. He remembershow his family suffered worryingabout one deployment in particular in the Fallof 2000. Lt.Col. Chavez was with the unit thatwas the first-on-scene after the USS Cole wasattacked.“There was a temporary lack of communicationwith families because the ops [operations]tempo had suddenly and dramaticallyincreased,” he recalls. “It’s that kind of silencethat can be unnerving.”Chavez and his family were in Mississippiwhen the repaired USS Cole was deployedagain. “That launch inspired a great sensationof patriotism in many people, and I am exceptionallyproud and pleased, to be able to say,‘I was there when…’ That was definitely a daythat I will not forget,” Lt.Col. Chavez says.After 17 years he had to make a decision:continue towards completing 20 years of activeduty with the Air Force by being deployed for365 days and leaving his family behind againor leaving active duty. Despite his love of theAir Force the choice was easy for him.“It was a ‘No duh!’ decision not to go backto the sandbox again!,” Chavez explains of histransition to a civilian job and the USAF Reserveand to remain with his family. Now a Departmentof Defense contractor for AdvancedTechnology International, Lt.Col. Chavez isnot far removed from his military career andhis lifelong passion for technology; he nowhelps assess new Command and Control systemsbeing fielded for the Warfighter.While Lt.Col. Chavez is very proud to be anAmerican and to have served his country, healways feels a little humbled when people seehim in uniform and say: “Thank you for yourservice”. The compliment is rewarding and itreaffirms his choice, but he knows that thereare unsung heroes behind almost every servicemember who seldom receive any recognition.“I volunteered to be a part of this professionof arms,” Lt.Col. Chavez says. “I volunteeredknowing there would be chaos and manymoves. Truly, the thanks should go to thoseindividuals who are often overlooked or takenfor granted: the children and spouses. They didnot volunteer.”While the services have taken great strides toimprove conditions for military families thereis still more to be done. “It’s not easy, and wemust remember that thanks should be given tothe people behind the scenes who sacrifice asmuch, if not more, than the person wearingthe uniform,” he emphasizes.One of the clearest indicators of the straina military career places on the family is in thenumber of failed marriages. Chavez can attestfirsthand to the hardship and strain the militarycan have on the family unit having gonethrough a divorce himself.But the military has a mission it must putfirst and those who serve understand this andTalk to your neighbors,then talk to us.Odds are, they’re already part of the State Farm ® family.With so many ways to save and discounts of up to 40 percent,* you’ll want to be part of thefamily too. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7.Dwight Beamon Ins Agcy IncDwight Beamon, AgentNorge, VA 23127Bus: 757-564-9167www.dwightbeamon.comJavier Fuentes, Agent4516 John Tyler HwyWilliamsburg, VA 23185Bus: 757-220-9910www.sfvirginia.comCarol Simmons, AgentWilliamsburg Business Ctr4732 Longhill Rd Ste 3102Williamsburg, VA 23188Bus: 757-565-0984David Sisk, Agent1318 Jamestown RoadWilliamsburg, VA 23185Bus: 757-229-2961www.williamsburg-insurance.comWilliam D Ward, Agent1003 Richmond RoadWilliamsburg, VA 23185Bus: 757-229-9615www.sfwilliamsburg.comWoody Woolwine Jr, Agent820-B Merrimac TrailWilliamsburg, VA 23185Bus: 757-229-3229woody.woolwine.b2m9@statefarm.comstatefarm.com ®1001175*Discounts vary by states.State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, ILNEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSAUGUST2011 19