779th MDG Airman makes a difference in Colombia

Published Jan. 30, 2015
By Melanie Moore
79th Medical Wing Public Affairs Officer

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Christmas holidays are long over. Gifts are unwrapped. The ornaments are put away. All we have left are the beautiful memories of another great holiday. But for one Airman, his memories will forever be in his heart.

Airman First Class Alejandro Munera is a Diagnostic Imaging Technician stationed at the 779th Medical Group on Joint Base Andrews. This Christmas he wanted to make a real difference, so when he decided to visit his family in Colombia for the holidays he tried to think of a way he could share some of the blessings he has received. He wanted to make this holiday memorable for some of the Columbian families back home. He was inspired to put together a clothing donation drive to help those in need .

"I am originally from Medellin, Colombia. A beautiful country that I am proud to call home but a country where there are many limitations. Because of the cost of education, many children are forced to drop out of school at an early age to help provide for their family. As a child, I did not appreciate the fact that I was able to attend school, which for so many was a luxury they would never know," Munera said.

"Valparaiso is the hometown of my mother and about three hours southwest from Medellin, Colombia. It is located in the Andes Mountains and is a small town that subsists on farming, cattle and hard work. This is a town where most still wash clothes by hand, walk where they need to go in harsh summer temperatures, and rarely receive the education needed to leave the small town. This is a town where may only be able to feed their families once per day and work does not stop for holidays or celebrations. So I came up with a proposal to gather clothing, shoes, school supplies and toys," Munera said.

He was so thankful for the outpouring of help from the Air Force employees at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center.

"In just a few days, MGMCSC employees had donated 310 pounds of clothing, shoes, and toys and $480 cash to pay the shipping cost," Munera said.

For one day, he and his wife became Santa Claus although he wore an Air Force T-shirt instead of a red color suit. Instead of a sleigh with reindeer, they rode in a pickup truck driven by a local farm worker and began the distribution.

"It was overwhelming. I knew it was going to be exciting but the emotion that came over us was more than I expected. I had grown men shake my hand with tears in their eyes, children's eye light up as if I were Santa Claus, and mothers handing me plates of food to show their gratitude," Munera said.

He explained that although it started as a small project, it turned into something much more.

"The feeling of being able to give was more than words can describe. These gifts were things I have taken for granted but they could not imagine receiving.. For the first time in my life, I was able to meet and share with truly humble people. After the holiday break, I was able to return to work with a more full heart and am forever grateful for what the United States Air Force has done for my family. I wish everyone that donated to the project could have experienced it firsthand. You can't imagine the gratitude; love and respect the people of Valparaiso now have for The United States Air Force and the medics of MGMCSC," Munera said.

The people and faces that he met during this visit have left him a wonderful memory in his heart that he will never forget.