City of San Antonio Military and Veteran Affairs Department

Our department is proud to share that as of August 1st, 2024, Wilford Hall Medical Facility Emergency Center was incorporated into the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC)?Trauma and Emergency Healthcare System as a Freestanding Emergency Center. This new designation allows for more efficient care to neighborhoods and suburbs around San Antonio.?If you are a TRICARE beneficiary, this means you can ask to be brought to Wilford Hall by ambulance. STRAC-designated regions ensure that all trauma incidents are managed systematically. Hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS), and other healthcare providers collaborate efficiently, leading to faster response times, proper triage, and the right level of care for trauma patients.?? A?STRAC designation also ensures the adoption of standardized trauma protocols within the region. This includes consistent approaches to pre-hospital care, transport, and in-hospital treatment, which improves the quality of care for trauma patients.?Studies show that trauma patients have better survival rates and recovery outcomes when treated in coordinated trauma systems like those overseen by STRAC. This is due to quicker access to specialized care and seamless transitions between providers.?? STRAC also facilitates ongoing training and education for trauma care providers, ensuring that professionals are well-prepared to handle trauma cases according to the latest best practices and technologies.?A STRAC designation is vital for ensuring an organized, efficient, and high-quality trauma care system that saves lives and improves the overall health outcomes of patients in the region. https://lnkd.in/g_rPkiQV

This past week was a memorable one! The Director of Military & Veteran Affairs, City of San Antonio, Maj Gen Juan Ayala, USMC retired, attended the 2024 Patriot Awards Gala. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society presented four distinguished awards at this highly anticipated event to individuals who, through their life's work, promoted and perpetuated the principles upon which our nation is founded. This prestigious gathering also represented the singular opportunity to showcase Medal of Honor recipients and their families all San Antonio has to offer, both currently and historically. All in all, it was an incredible evening in the presence of these Medal of Honor recipients--All American Heroes and Giants.

This past week was a memorable one! The Director of Military & Veteran Affairs, City of San Antonio, Maj Gen Juan Ayala, USMC retired, attended the 2024 Patriot Awards Gala. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society presented four distinguished awards at this highly anticipated event to individuals who, through their life's work, promoted and perpetuated the principles upon which our nation is founded. This prestigious gathering also represented the singular opportunity to showcase Medal of Honor recipients and their families all San Antonio has to offer, both currently and historically. All in all, it was an incredible evening in the presence of these Medal of Honor recipients--All American Heroes and Giants.

Of the 66 living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, 45 of them will be in San Antonio this coming week. Our nation is what it is today because of these brave men and women. Excited to have these defenders of freedom and valor in Military City, USA! Hello Medal of Honor recipients; Welcome to Military City, USA https://lnkd.in/gpEXfYAd

Check out or Director, Major General Juan Ayala in his most recent interview with Parsons! #militarycityusa #COSA #hispanicheritagemonth

Blue Star Families is a national organization that fosters inclusive communities for Veteran and military families. Their Campaign for Inclusion research focuses on the importance of promoting communities where diverse military and Veteran families can feel valued, understood, and connected. General Ayala (pictured center), Director of Military & Veteran Affairs, City of San Antonio Texas, recently participated on a Blue Star Families panel in Washington, DC where he highlighted San Antonio’s city-military partnerships, and tangible financial and in-kind investments that address today’s most challenging issues facing installation/base commanders and the families they support. This support includes funding fellowships for military spouses seeking meaningful employment, early childhood education and day care provided by the community, as well as skills training and employment for veterans and family members. San Antonio continues to be a national leader supporting the military, to include military families and veterans. #militarycityusa?? #militaryandveteranaffairs #cityofsanantonio #JBSA

The #ICMA2024 conference brings the #localgov community together for unparalleled leadership and professional development, networking, best-in-class programming, and more! View the agenda here and hope to see you at General Ayala's session #ICMA2024 about the economic, social, and historic importance of civil-military relations to communities that host military installations. https://lnkd.in/exWc9ZTi

Run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots aims to provide new toys to children in need during the holiday season. Founded in 1947, it has since become one of the most well-known charitable organizations focused on making sure children in less fortunate situations still experience the joy of receiving gifts during the holidays. Registration for volunteers opens in 1 month, October 15th, 2024! #ToysForTots #SpreadTheJoy #HolidayGiving #MakeADifference #COSA #MilitaryCityUSA

The City’s Military and Veteran Affairs Department organizes a ceremonial cake cutting event for each military service branch’s birthday. In celebration of the Air Force’s upcoming 77th birthday on 18 September, Mayor Nirenberg provided brief comments at the beginning of today’s City Council session about the Air Force’s history in San Antonio as well as highlighting a few of the key Air Force units in Military City USA?.? Approximately, 18,000 Airmen serve across Joint Base San Antonio’s installations.? Mayor Nirenberg then invited Brigadier General Randy Oakland, Commander of Joint Base San Antonio and the 502d Air Base Wing to provide comments. In line with our local “custom”, the military member representing the service branch invites the mayor down from the dais for a joint cutting of the cake.? Members of Brig Gen Oakland’s staff accompanied him, which included the “oldest” Airman, Chief Master Sergeant Kimberlee McKissack-Pikramenos (Senior Enlisted Leader for the 383d Training Squadron as well as the 59th Training Group’s functional manager of the Aerospace Medical Service career field) and the “youngest” Airman, Airman First Class Kaci Hurley (502d Air Base Wing staff). ?Mr. Barry Jeter, a City Parking Enforcement officer, and Air Force retiree, wheeled the cake in for the ceremony. Joining the group were multiple City of San Antonio employees who are either Air Force retirees/veterans (including Tim Woliver from the Military and Veteran Affairs Department), or still serving in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard. ?The City is proud of it’s 1760+ employees who have either served in the military or are still serving in the Reserves/Guard!?Of those employees, approximately 500 have Air Force affiliation. Happy 77th birthday, United States Air Force!?Fly, fight and win -- Airpower anytime, anywhere! #militarycityusa

Our Director, General Juan Ayala, will be speaking at ICMA’s Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Join him as he shares insights about the economic, social, and historic importance of civil-military relations to communities that host military installations. Hope to see you there! #ICMA2024