By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Mayor Al Arreola has issued a proclamation designating Del Rio as “A Purple Heart City” and
recognized the organization Finding Our Brothers and Sisters (FOB) for their contribution to
helping the local veterans.
Arreola announced the proclamation during Tuesday’s regular
Mayor Al Arreola, Chris Villarreal and James Powell pose for a picture holding the proclamation
proclaiming Del Rio, Texas as the Purple Heart City. Villareal and Powell attended the recent
council meeting to help Arreola present the proclamation and represent their non-profit
organization, Finding Our Brothers and Sisters (FOB), which has impacted the community by
creating homes for homeless veterans to reestablish their lives.
city council meeting.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded to individuals wounded or killed
while serving, defending or fighting. FOB, a non-profit organization, has been
building small houses at 71 62 West Highway 90 to help homeless veterans by giving them a
place to stay while they re-establish their lives.
James Powell, co-founder of FOB, and Chris Villarreal, outreach coordinator of FOB, were
present at the meeting to represent their organization’s and its contribution to the community.
Powell served 16 years in the U.S. Navy and five years in the U.S. army, and Villarreal served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry sergeant from 2001 to 2005, with combat stints in Iraq in 2003 and 2005.
Arreola said it was an honor for him to read and present the proclamation for the city of Del Rio.
Arreola read the following proclamation:
“Whereas, the City of Del Rio in the State of Texas has always supported its military veteran
population; and,
“Whereas, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present time and was initially
created as the Badge of the Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782; and,
“Whereas, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available
to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed
Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy
of the United States of America; and,
“Whereas, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of
goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism,
support legislative initiative, and most importantly – make sure we never forget; and,
“Whereas, the City of Del Rio has a large veteran population, including Purple Heart recipients,
and,
“Whereas, Del Rio appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our
freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them
the honor and support they have earned.
“Now, Therefore, I, Alvaro Arreola, as Mayor of the City of Del Rio, Texas, do hereby proclaim
the City of Del Rio as “A Purple Heart City” And encourage the citizens of the City of Del Rio
show their appreciation for the sacrifices of the Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms, to acknowledge their courage, and to show them the honor and support they
have earned.”
Arreola then came down from his seat on the council dais to take a picture with Powell and
Villarreal while holding the proclamation. Powell thanked the council and said his organization
appreciates the recognition.
“The city drenches us with love. We appreciate the community as well. We thank you all so
much for drenching us with your support,” Powell said.
Powell said his organization is aiming to have a grand opening for the houses being built on
West Highway 90 June 20, for the community to see how they look finished, including the
furniture that was donated.
“You all can come out there (on opening day) and support us and continue supporting us. We
thank you,” Powell said.
Adrian Bitela, co-founder of FOB, spoke with The 830 Times the next day to talk about their
organization. He said their program focuses on helping homeless veterans by giving them a
place to stay until they restructure their lives and walk back into their community as a
“productive member.”
“(Our organization) is not like other homeless shelters you see. Ours is a program that gets
(homeless veterans) off of their feet, and then we completely restore them, get them a job, find
out what is going on in their lives, find out what made them homeless, and correct those issues,”
Bitela said.
Bitela said the organization received a Community Project Funding (CPF) grant through the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with the assistance of U.S. Rep.
Tony Gonzales.
“Gonzales and his staff were paramount to making sure the beginning of rural communities taking care of their veterans,” Bitela said. “This would not be possible without him and his staff.”
Bitela mentioned he served as an infantry squad leader in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan from
2011-2012 and 2013-2014. Bitela said he is humbled to hear Del Rio was named a Purple Heart
City, adding the recognition is “close and dear” to him.
