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Combat Camera documents 80th LULAC Convention

By Capt. Hamilton Underwood, 4th Combat Camera Squadron / Published August 14, 2009

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Henry Guardado, a videographer with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, documents the activities during the 2009 LULAC Convention. LULAC is the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic organization and has been advocating for Latinos in the United States for 80 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Henry Guardado, a videographer with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, documents the activities during the 2009 LULAC Convention. LULAC is the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic organization and has been advocating for Latinos in the United States for 80 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez)

San Juan, Puerto Rico (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez)
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San Juan, Puerto Rico (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez)

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MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- Airmen from the 4th Combat Camera Squadron recently returned from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they documented the Air Force Reserve Command's (AFRC) presence at the 80th League of United Latin American Citizens Convention and Exposition (LULAC). 

For Tech. Sgt. Frank Govea, the humidity was stifling, but the culture experience was exhilarating. "This has been a great opportunity to experience Puerto Rico that I normally would not have had if not for the Air Force Reserve," Tech. Sgt. Govea said. "The food was terrific, and the people were so friendly!" 

Like more than half of Airmen in the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Govea is a veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. "If there was some way to combine the dry heat of Iraq with the convivial atmosphere of San Juan, I'd deploy anytime!" he said. 

The project video editor, Tech. Sgt. Sam Ameen, was responsible for going through hours of raw video imagery and producing a polished product that was both visually arresting and informative. "Twelvehour shifts are easier to take when you can take a break on the balcony and feel the cool Caribbean breeze," Tech. Sgt. Ameen said. 

Looking to provide some 'local color' for both the still and video presentations, Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez took a morning to explore the picturesque streets of Old San Juan and its two massive forts, El Morro and San Cristobal. 

"I was impressed by the history of this city," said Tech. Sgt. Lopez, "It gave me pause and allowed me to reflect upon the long arc of history in the Americas." Camera in hand, he captured postcard-like images of Puerto Rico that bring the city to life for anyone who hasn't been there. 

"I was impressed by how LULAC reaches out to Latino youth. There are so many opportunities to excel that I think many of the youth would not have been aware, if not for LULAC," said Senior Airman Ashley Moreno, who assisted in editing the photography slide show that visually summarized the convention and its Puerto Rico setting.