Jeremiah Gallegos feels every generation seems to have its war, and he’s “honored and surprised” he was selected to represent his generation as the Veteran Grand Marshal for OIF. The Arizona native grew up around his late grandfather, Pete Villegas, who was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and instilled national pride in him, saying “everybody should serve their country at some point.”
Gallegos was nominated by his mother, Dolores Jackson, and his uncle Tim Schmidt, a veteran Air Force pilot.
Right after graduating from Agua Fria High School in 1999, Gallegos enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 19K M1 (Tank) Armor Crewman. He was assigned to the “Bonecrushers” troop of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and was part of the 500-vehicle convoy that rolled into Baghdad in March 2003.
Gallegos and two other sergeants ran through open fire to rescue a fellow soldier who was trapped in a burning tank with a jammed hatch. His mother says she was “flabbergasted” when she opened the April 7, 2003, edition of the Army Times. “The headline read: ‘EXCLUSIVE – Daring rescue from burning tank,’” she recalls. “I opened it and saw a picture of my son! I was thankful to God that he was well and helped save a fellow soldier, but afraid for him being in the middle of such a fierce battle.” Gallegos was presented the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in combat.
He also earned the Army Commendation, NATO Medal and Bosnia Service Ribbon for the peacekeeping mission and leading a tank crew in 2002.
Sergeant Gallegos honorably finished his enlistment in November 2003, and used his GI Bill to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Arizona State University. “My nephew is one of the most sought after teachers in the Phoenix area,” says Schmidt. “Not only is he an accomplished teacher, but also a decorated warrior and great example to all the children he has influenced as a teacher.”
Gallegos was personally recruited to teach eighth-grade mathematics at Quentin Elementary in Avondale. “I like the challenges and fast-paced environment,” he admits. Since becoming a teacher in 2008, the Pledge of Allegiance has been a staple in his classroom, and Gallegos says he enjoys giving a personal account before each Veteran’s Day, where the students can ask questions.
He says he tells them that he wouldn’t be a teacher without having served in the military. “When I went in, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. When I got out, I had direction, purpose and was able to properly accomplish goals.”
Gallegos adds, “I am happy to be given the opportunity to serve, and still be able to serve the next generation as a teacher.”
Gallegos lives in Goodyear, Arizona, with his wife Sandra, their son Orlando and daughter Xochitl.
We hope you will join us at the 20th Annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2016, to see Celebrity Grand Marshal Pete Hegseth and all eight Veteran Grand Marshals. This year’s parade theme is “Welcome Home Vietnam Heroes.” The parade typically boasts more than 100 entries, and this year will have a special float with nearly 20 Vietnam Veterans riding on it. The parade will also feature patriotic floats, high school marching bands, JROTC marching units, color guards, Veterans Service Organizations, animals, novelty units and much, much more.
For more information on the parade and the parade route, click HERE.