Subject: Memorial Service for Lupe Ybarra
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

Air Force Security Forces Association
Viet Nam Security Police Association
Viet Nam Dog Handler Association

On Saturday, May 19, 2012 a Memorial Service for Guadalupe "Lupe" Ybarra, JR was hosted by his devoted wife Josie and their family. Lupe passed away on February 11, 2012 and per his wishes, his body was donated to The Baylor College of Medicine in order to learn more of the disease that took him from his family and friends. Notice of Lupe's passing was posted in "Tiger Flight" and on the VSPA and VDHA web sites. Besides Lupe's family and friends, there were many in attendance, including retired and current fellow workers from United States Customs Service and numerous Military Veterans, including prior USAF Security Police and Sentry Dog Handlers, several who served in Viet Nam and Thailand.

I attended Lupe's Memorial Service. As a member of our 3 associations I took the liberty and honor of presenting Lupe's wife, 3 children and 3 sisters each with Challenge Coins from all 3 associations. I wrote and printed a presentation letter and Certificate for Lupe's wife Josie, their children and his 3 sisters. At Josie's request, I had the honor of reading the presentation letter to those in attendance.

When I quoted the caption "Duty - Honor - Courage", that is on the Viet Nam Security Police Association Challenge Coin, I reminded everyone that these attributes were ingrained in Lupe and all United States Air Force Security Police including the Air Force Security Forces currently on duty in harms way.

Josie was most appreciative for the Challenge Coins, Tiger Flight Magazines, VDHA lapel pins and the miniature Security Police Badge, along with the well wishes and condolences she has received from members of our associations. Josie and her family were also pleased to receive copies of the Sentry Dog training records, for the Dogs Lupe was assigned to, provided by the VDHA. On the first training record VDHA provided imposed a photo of a young Lupe and his Sentry Dog "Hey Boy".

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the below people for shipping my Challenge Coin orders in time for Lupe's Memorial Service.

• Lucille Bullock, Air Force Security Forces Association
• Dave Broeker, Viet Nam Dog Handler Association
• Joyce Digby, Viet Nam Security Police Association

Respectfully,
Harold Thomas Taylor

CBPO, DHS/CBP Retired
USAF Security Police Sentry Dog Handler
78th SPS K9 ("Bruno"), Hamilton AFB, CA (1968-69)
37th & 12th SPS K9 ("Rex"), Phu Cat AB, RVN (Dec 1969)

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To:Viet Nam Dog Handler Association Viet Nam Security Police Association Air Force Security Forces Association

Guadalupe (Lupe) Ybarra, JR passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Lupe proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971 as Security Police Sentry Dog Handler. Lupe was with The 3^rd Security Police Squadron at Bien Hoa AB, RVN from August 1968 to March 1970 where he worked with 2 Sentry Dogs, “Hans” and “Hey Boy”. After his tour of duty in South Viet Nam, Lupe finished his Air Force enlistment at Carswell AFB, Texas.

Lupe continued his government service when he joined the ranks of The United States Customs Service.  His career as a Narcotic Dog Handler, Inspector and Senior Inspector with the Contraband Enforcement Team (CET), Houston IAH Airport, Texas resulted in a total of 33 years of a combined military and civil service career when he retired in January of 2004. Lupe was an honorable, dedicated and professional individual that could always be counted on by his peers, Customs Agents and other State, Local and Federal Law Enforcement Officers to do a commendable job on all of the enforcement operations that he took part in.

Like with all U.S. Military forces who served in Viet Nam and Thailand, Lupe was exposed to Agent Orange. Prior to, and at time of his passing, he was addressing this issue with the VA. Lupe’s devoted wife Josie (who is still following up with the VA) informed me that per Lupe’s wishes his body was donated to the Baylor College of Medicine, in order to learn more of the disease that took him from his family and friends. Lupe Ybarra is still serving our country and fellow man with his gracious last donation and with the memories that Josie related to me through Lupe’s stories about his Air Force and Customs experiences. Josie indicated she is planning a memorial service for Lupe sometime in May of 2012.

Lupe’s obituary can be found on the Carnes Funeral Home, Houston, Texas web site:

http://www.carnesfuneralhome.com/guadalupe-ybarra-jr

Lupe Ybarra was, and always will be, a true American Patriot.

Harold “Tom” Taylor

CBPO, Retired

Customs and Border Protection and

U.S. Customs Service

(1974 – 2011)

USAF Security Police Sentry Dog Handler (1968 - 1972)

37^th & 12^th SPS, Phu Cat AB, RVN (1969 – 1970)