Finding the Words to Honor the Veterans in Our Lives
On Veterans Day and every day, UG2 salutes those who have served. We are deeply proud to have employees at every level of the company who are also veterans. Our teams and customers benefit from their skills, unwavering dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond.
My own father served proudly in the military in his native country of Portugal and his service was an important part of our family story. The shared history of military service brought him especially close to my Godfather, Al Cabral, who served in the United States Air Force. At just 19 years old, Al was captured and held as a Prisoner of War for nearly two years during the Korean War. The experience left lasting scars, both physical and emotional, yet his courage and resilience defined the rest of his life.
Despite the unimaginable hardship he endured, Al returned home and built a meaningful life marked by quiet strength, humility, and a steadfast love for his country. He remained deeply proud of his service and sacrifice, carrying that pride with him until his passing in his early 80s. Though Al never had children of his own, he left behind a legacy of honor, bravery, and patriotism. After his and his wife’s passing, I was honored to inherit his flag and medals, which serve as powerful reminders of his courage and the freedoms he helped protect.
My Godfather was a very close and important presence throughout my childhood—for most of my life he lived on the first floor of my parents’ house, and he and his wife Emily were a treasured part of our everyday lives. Through Al and my father, I saw how the very qualities that call individuals to service make them extraordinary community members, friends, and family members. And service is truly a family affair. The sacrifices are made not only by those who step up to serve, but are shouldered by their families, friends, and communities.
For this Veterans Day, we invited employees across UG2 to share reflections on the veterans in their lives.
- George Keches, of our leadership team in Boston, expressed how his father—a recipient of the Bronze Star for his bravery in the Korean War—stayed humble, quietly earned the respect of all who knew him, and relished time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
- Belkis Colon, writing from Philadelphia, shared her gratitude for her husband Antonio, and the sacrifices he made to serve.
- From Southern California, Carl Pugh expressed admiration and thanks for his life with his “cool Dad” Ken.
- Andrew Guarino wrote movingly of his memories snowboarding with Benjamin W. Sherman, a brave and thoughtful friend who ultimately gave his life saving someone from drowning in Afghanistan.
- Alexis Pena told us about her brother Joe Miranda, a veteran and member of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Mental Health Evaluation Team whose dedication and compassion inspire everyone around him.
You will see these employees’ poignant tributes on our social media channels with common themes—words like honor, sacrifice, respect, and pride. We are grateful to them for taking part in this celebration, and we extend our gratitude to all who have served, and to the families that have made that service possible.