As I reflect on the sacrifices many of our heroes have made to protect our freedom and livelihoods, I want to share some of El Paso’s finest veterans.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Hope Jackson, USA, Retired
LTC (Ret.) Hope Jackson’s life has been dedicated to serving our country and championing female veterans in El Paso. She honorably served our country for 20 years, with her assignments taking her to Korea, Southwest Asia, and Saudi Arabia.
While serving in the Middle East, she was inspired to pioneer a Women’s Ministry that would provide spiritual as well as emotional support to the women stationed there. This inspired LTC Jackson to provide a helping hand to female veterans in El Paso through her nonprofit, the H.O.P.E Institute. The H.O.P.E Institute opened the first home exclusively for homeless female veterans, known as the Rutherford House of Peace. The H.O.P.E Institute provides the life skills and resources required for our “She-Roes” to transition from a place of dependency to one of self-sufficiency.
LTC Jackson is the proud owner and managing broker of the Warrior Realty group in El Paso. This brokerage group donates 100% of its net profit to sustain operations at the H.O.P.E Institute.
She currently serves as the Vice President of the newly formed El Paso Chapter of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP). LTC Jackson was also appointed by the El Paso City Councilwoman for District 2 to serve on the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) and was inducted into the El Paso’s Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
Sergeant Major (SGM) Benito Torres Jr., USA, Retired
SGM (Ret.) Benito Torres Jr. knew that he wanted to serve our country and his community from a very young age. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1988 as a Unit Supply Specialist upon graduating from high school.
SGM Torres’ duty assignments took him to Europe, Asia, Middle East, Fort Jackson, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, and Fort Bliss. He also deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ultimately, SGM Torres retired in 2016 from the United States Sergeant Major Academy with 29 years of honorable service to our country. Immediately upon retirement, he returned to public service by working for Texas’ 16th Congressional District.
Benito currently serves as my Senior Caseworker, where he oversees all of my constituent casework inquires. Benito helps El Pasoans that need assistance with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and administers my office’s veterans and military affairs.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have Benito on my team. He is a key team player who works tirelessly every day to ensure El Pasoans have the resources they need and deserve.
If you have any casework inquires or need help with a federal agency, click here.
First Sergeant (1SG) Richard ‘Breeze’ Britton, USA, Retired
1SG (Ret.) Richard “Breeze” Britton enlisted in United States Army in 1964 and retired in 1989 as an Air Defense First Sergeant with 25 years of honorable service to our country. He served with the Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and served two tours in Vietnam.
Throughout his career and after, 1SG Britton always helped young soldiers move through the ranks and better themselves. He served as the commander of the American Legion (AL) Post 832 in El Paso, Texas from 2005-2008. In 2018, his work earned him a promotion to Division Commander, where he managed and was responsible for 108 American Legion posts in Texas. Now, he is the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission for the State of Texas and the 16th District Commander for the American Legion. He is also a member of the Honorable Angie J. Barill’s Veterans Court in El Paso County (346th District Court). Here, 1SG Britton and other service members help mentor veterans who have run afoul of the law to have a better life.
1SG Britton has been with the American Legion for over 30 years, working to take care of veterans and their families. He is happily married to his wife of 53 years and has three children and two grandchildren.
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Peter G. Flores, USAF
SSgt Peter G. Flores enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He is currently the president of the Korean War Veterans Association in El Paso, Texas. While serving in the Air Force, he specialized as a camera repairman, photographer, and motion picture equipment operator.
SSgt Flores has called El Paso home for over 80 years and has helped provide his fellow veterans hope for a better future. SSgt Flores has authored four books, one of which became a movie, and designed and illustrated the El Paso/Juarez Map Mural at the El Paso International Airport. He also contributed to the founding of the American GI Forum Paso del Norte Chapter, Legacy of Valor, and the El Paso County Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
In his spare time, SSgt Flores makes small bird and dog houses in his woodworking shop. He has been happily married to his wife for 70 years and has 5 children.
Although an armistice was signed, the Korean War never officially ended because there wasn’t a peace treaty. Upon returning home, Korean War veterans felt ignored, and as the years went by, felt forgotten by the American public. 70 years later, our veterans have not forgotten.
Sergeant (SGT) Jimmy Melver, USA
SGT Melver was drafted in 1965 into the United States Army and served from 1965 to 1967. After his service to our country, SGT Melver returned to El Paso, Texas, and worked for El Paso Natural Gas for over 30 years. He has been happily married to his wife for 51 years.
SGT Melver is known as the flagman in El Paso for his work and leadership with Flags Across America and the Old Glory Memorial. He has also served as the Director of the Northeast YMCA, the president of Flags Across America in El Paso, and is an active leader in the Northeast Rotary Club of El Paso (1339). He has not missed a single rotary club meeting in over 21 years.
SGT Melver often reminds fellow El Pasoans about the Old Glory Memorial, where the 180 ft. flagpole flies a 5,000 square foot flag to remind us all the responsibility and importance of what it means to be an American.
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