Salute To Service | HoustonTexans.com

Honoree: First Sergeant Carlos Pagan

First Sergeant (1SG) Carlos R. Pagan was born Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 1SG Pagan enlisted into the Army Reserves 8 December 2003. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, KY and advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon completion of training, he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty of 42F, Human Resources Information Systems Management. We thank him for his years of sacrifice and service!

Honoree: Specialist Patrick Feges

In 2002, Patrick signed up for the Army under the Delayed Entry Program during his senior year of highschool. After completing basic training and Advanced Individual Training, he was stationed near the DMZ in South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division. In the summer of 2004, his unit was deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq. In November of that year, Patrick was injured in a mortar attack and was medivaced to Walter Reed Medical Center.

In October 2005 Patrick was medically discharged from the Army. It was during his recovery that he was hit with the barbecue bug. Armed with an old, worn-out Brinkmann smoker and plenty of tenacity, Patrick experimented through trial and error before deciding to attend culinary school at The Texas Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, in Austin. There he began honing his approach to barbecue. He now owns his own BBQ restaurant here in Houston.

Honoree: Commander Steven Hyman

Commander Hyman is a third-generation Navy sailor and a second-generation Submarine Officer with both his Mother, Father, and Grandfather all US Navy sailors. Commander Hyman joined the Navy following graduation from the University of Washington Navy ROTC program. After completing nuclear and submarine officer basic training, he reported to Pearl Harbor, onboard the nuclear fast attack submarine USS KEY WEST, where he completed two Pacific Deployments and a Drydock period. Following his sea tour, Commander Hyman transferred to Trident Training Facility, Bangor, in Washington State, where he served in the Tactics Department as a Submarine TEAM Training facilitator and Junior Officer Course instructor. After moving to Houston, Commander Hyman continued to support the Navy Submarine Force attached to various submarine units at Navy Reserve Center Houston serving in various Department Head responsbilities. In 2019 Commander Hyman was Mobilized to support US Africa Command at the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, forward deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, assisting the U. S. Embassy working with partner nations and local Government to support efforts in the stabalization of the country. In 2022 Commander Hyman took Command of the Submarine Pacific Operations Unit Houston, where he leads both officers and enlisted in supporting the Pacific Submarine Commander in theater undersea missions where he is qualified to stand the Theater Undersea Warfare Battle Watch Caption.

Commander Hyman's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and unit awards.

Honoree: Jacob Waters

Jacob Waters recently returned from deployment to several countries across the Middle East and is currently stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. Waters has been married to his wife Harmony for 3 years and a dog dad to 2 rescues, Ace and Sky.

Waters joined the Air Force in 2022, and after completing Basic Military Training in San Antonio, he went to training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi in the areas of IT fundamentals and cyber defense operations. Post tech school, he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Honoree: Master Sergeant Melissa R. Oullette

Master Sergeant Melissa Ouellette is the Manager of ISR Integration within the Space Operations Command (SpOC) S2 ISR Operations Integration Branch. In this role, Sergeant Ouellette leads matters influencing the effective operational utilization of ISR Guardians assigned to SpOC, as well as provides oversight of policy and guidance governing SpOC ISR operations in support of HHQ, FLDCOM, CCMD and USSF priorities.

Sergeant Ouellette began her military career in the Air Force in November 2008 and transferred to the Space Force in June 2021. In 15 years of Active-Duty military service, she has filled various roles as a technical expert and sensor operator, as well as dynamic leadership roles across the National Security Agency and Joint Special Operations Command. Furthermore, Sergeant Ouellette has deployed multiple times in support of multiple named operations across the globe.

Honoree: Captain Keith M. Donohue

Captain Keith M. Donohue is the Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston – the largest active-duty military unit in the Houston area, and busiest operational unit in the Coast Guard. In this position he serves as Captain of the Port, Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspection, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Federal On-Scene Coordinator, commanding over 1,000 personnel overseeing all Coast Guard missions from Matagorda, Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana. His area of responsibility includes the Ports of Freeport, Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles; seven of the largest ports in the USA, with Houston being the largest port in the USA by far.

Traveling around the world, his 28-year career in the Coast Guard has focused greatly on international and domestic safety, security, and environmental response.

His personal awards include five Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals and two Humanitarian Service Medals.

Honoree: Colonel Kelly L. Bean

Colonel Kelly L. Bean entered the Air Force in 2003 as a graduate of the University of Alaska-Anchorage ROTC program. While on active duty at Fairchild Air Force Base, she started her career as a Services Officer in the 92d Services Squadron. In 2006, she joined the Air National Guard, 141st Services Flight, and cross-trained in 2008 into the 141st Security Forces Squadron as the Operations Officer. In this position, she participated in Detainee Movement Operations from Guantanamo Bay and deployed for six months to Baghdad, Iraq. In 2010, she assumed command of the 141st Security Forces Squadron. In 2013, she was selected by the Washington State Adjutant General under the state development program to serve at the National Guard Bureau, whereas Branch Chief, she oversaw six military and civilian personnel responsible for the Integrated Defense, Antiterrorism/Force Protection, Police Services, and Nuclear Security programs for over 7,300 Air National Guard Security Forces Defenders. In 2017, she assumed command of the 147th Security Forces Squadron, where she enhanced the readiness and lethality of over 90 combat ready Defenders and mission capable State Officers. In 2021, she assumed command of the 147th Force Support Squadron, where she organized, trained, and equipped 62 customer service professionals, for rapid deployment and employment in support of wartime and peacetime missions. Prior to her current position, the Colonel was the Commander, 147th Mission Support Group, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas.

Honorees: Robert Clyde Putnam and George William Truman Waters

At our Liberty White Out game against the Bears, we honored Robert Putnam (Navy) and George William Truman Waters (Army AirCorps) as our Salute To Service honorees. We thank and salute them for their great sacrifice and service!

Honoree: Lieutenant Colonel Norman L. Renfro

Lieutenant Colonel Renfro is a Texas native. Raised in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, he attended Texas A&M before joining the Marine Corps in 2008. He led Marines in combat in Afghanistan, along with five other deployments in support of operational requirements around the globe. His staff tours include assignments to Headquarters Marine Corps in Virginia, and the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. He currently leads the Marines at 1st Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment (the Lone Star Battalion) right here in Houston. He is excited to be back in the Lone Star State after 16 years of service elsewhere.

Honoree: Media Meighan

A Brooklyn native, Media Meighan has always been driven by a deep passion for service. As an Army veteran serving almost 6 years, she completed one combat tour and considers her time at Daegu, South Korea, as her favorite duty station. During her service, Media dedicated her time to volunteering in local schools and inspired a spirit of community service among her units and battle buddies. Most recently, Media's platoon was honored by the Alief School District as a Diamond Community Partner for their exceptional work supporting the district. Today, Media continues her commitment to service through various roles, including her past leadership as a platoon leader with The Mission Continues and her active memberships in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated and Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority Inc. As a dedicated HR professional, she supports fellow veterans by helping them transition to civilian life, offering assistance with elevator pitches and resume building.