Guam native receives national award

(Excerpt Marianas Variety News, March 23, 2009) – This month, medical officer Lt. Colonel Susan Pangelinan received the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math award from the Department of Defense based on her accomplishments with the California National Guard. She was among 10 women in the military to receive the prestigious award from the Department of Defense, this month in Arlington at the Memorial for Women in Military Service for America.

Pangelinan, 48, is based in Vacaville, California, where she is assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard. Pangelinan is the daughter of Artemio Pangelinan, a retired Air Force serviceman, and Chilang Pangelinan, former residents of Agana Heights, Guam. Her uncle, Pedro, currently resides in Dededo, Guam.

Pangelinan and her family are elated by the award that Pangelinan has received. Pangelinan’s children, Tony, 30 and Lauren, 24, watched her when she left for deployment. “They’ve watched me work long hours. They’re really great children and even as adults, they’ve been supportive,” said Pangelinan, who was deployed for Operations Desert Storm and for 9/11 rescue operations in New York.

As a native Chamorro, she said it was hard to believe that she would get recognized considering the small representation of Guam in the military compared to the rest of the U.S. “I’m really proud to say there is an island of Guam and there are women who do things that are recognized,” Pangelinan said.

The event also honored nine other female service members, all who have worked toward the development of women and minorities in foreign languages and the STEM fields. It coincides with the nation’s programs, ceremonies and activities that observe women’s history this month.

Pangelinan joined the California Air National Guard in 2002 after serving as an Air Force medical administrator in the active duty and Reserve. She is an Operation Desert Storm veteran, who deployed to the Pentagon following the aftermath 9/11 to help manage medical resources of the response.