If you have a friend or family member currently serving, click on the nomination button below the video for their chance to be a Hometown Hero for the 2022 Season. These nominations will be used to select a hero for each week of the 2022 season to attend an Eagles home game, enjoy pre-game sideline passes, and be featured during the Eagles game. Submit your Hometown Hero today!
Sgt Diego Andres Gomez, U.S.M.C. Customer Support Branch Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge/Aviation Supply Specialist Marine Aircraft Group 49, Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
October 2
Eagles vs. Jaguars
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Sgt Diego Gomez has served in the United States Marine Corps since enlisting in July of 2015 at the age of 17. Upon earning the title of Marine, he would go on to complete Marine Combat Training School and Military Occupational Specialty School, where he would receive his training as an Aviation Supply Specialist.
Gomez first served in the reserves at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49). Then a Lance Corporal, Gomez was given the opportunity to enter the Active Reserve program and, in March of 2017, moved to Fort Worth, Texas to join Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 41 (MALS-41). As a Lance Corporal, Gomez was quick to accept new challenges and maintained a "Semper Gumby" attitude while serving as a Program Management Unit representative, tasked with solving some of the most challenging Aeronautical Material supply issues for his customers.
In September of 2019, Gomez would join the Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 234 (VMGR-234). Corporal Gomez was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge and was responsible for the success of the Material Control Division. Achieving the rank of Sergeant, Gomez deployed to Djibouti, Africa as an Aviation Supply Marine and was attached to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Material Control for VMGR-234. He was directly responsible for maintaining a pack up worth in excess of one million dollars and provided crucial aeronautical material for multiple KC-130J aircraft. Sgt Gomez's resourcefulness as a logistician helped support an American evacuation in Yemen. In August of 2021, during Operation Allied Refugee, Sgt Gomez assisted the VMGR-234, enabling them to conduct 11 lifts, move over 226,720 pounds of cargo and rescue 838 Afghan refugees.
Sgt Gomez has spent time volunteering for Toys for Tots, visiting with special needs children, and serving local food banks where he helped assemble food boxes to aid needy families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sgt Gomez now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 49 Headquarters as site support. When he is not working, volunteering or in school, Sgt Diego Andres Gomez enjoys spending time with his family.
Captain Jeff Negron Troop Commander, Bravo Troop 1-104th Cavalry Regiment Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Captain Jeff Negron began his military career by signing his first contract as an SMP Cadet for the 1-104th Cavalry Regiment. Upon graduation from Temple University, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant from Temple University's ROTC Program. From 2014 – 2018, CPT Negron served as a Platoon Leader for Bravo Troop of the 1-104th Cavalry Regiment.
Once his obligation as a Platoon Leader was complete, CPT Negron transitioned into an Executive Officer role for the Headquarters Unit of the 1-104th Cavalry until 2020. During that time, CPT Negron also served as part of Operation Iron Angel during the Papal Visit and World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in 2015, security for the Democratic National Convention in 2016, and security for the 58th Presidential Inauguration in 2017.
CPT Negron's next assignment was a transition into a Staff Role where he worked both as an administrative officer as well as a plans officer, working directly with the operations section of the unit. As a plans officer, CPT Negron assisted in planning and facilitating of training while disseminating any pertinent information to the Troops within the unit. Throughout this period, CPT Negron served his unit while activated to state active duty. He also served as an Emergency Operations Center Officer in Charge during both Operation Protect PA and Operation COVID-19.
In 2021, the 1-104th Cavalry Regiment prepared to mobilize for a 9-month tour in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt as part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the region. CPT Negron worked in the Northern Region of the Sinai as the Tactical Operations Officer in Charge and Assistant Operations Officer, where his responsibilities were facilitating training for his unit, base defense operations, and enforcing mission standards of observing, verifying, and reporting for units not only from the US, but from Australia, Fiji, and Colombia. CPT Negron also worked with the Emergency Services Civilians within the camp where he planned simulated operations testing emergency response times, casualty and vehicle recovery and responses to real world threats.
A graduate of numerous military schools and programs, CPT Negron has successfully completed the Army Reconnaissance Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, and the Cavalry Leaders Course. Past awards and accommodations include the Pennsylvania Service Medal, MFO Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, Armed Forces Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.
Captain Jeff Negron currently serves as the Troop Commander for Bravo Troop 1-104th Cavalry Regiment with the Pennsylvania, National Guard.
Captain Soosoo N. Taulelei Director of Personnel Services 111th Force Support Squadron Air National Guard
August 12
Eagles vs. Jets
Born in American Samoa and raised in Tacoma, Washington, Captain Soosoo Taulelei serves as the Director of Personnel Services for the 111th Force Support Squadron. He is currently assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 111th Attack Wing based at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, Pennsylvania, formerly known as the Willow Grove Air Base. Capt. Taulelei is responsible for all Human Resource Management functions, Administrative Services, Fitness and Dining Facilities, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for over 1000 Airmen, civilian contractors and sister service branches co-located on the base.
Capt. Taulelei received his commission in 2013 from the United States Army through Army Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia after graduating from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management with a focus on Labor Relations. He served seven years as an Adjutant General Officer and Company Commander in the Army National Guard before transferring to the Air National Guard in 2020.
In January of this year, Capt. Taulelei returned from a seven-month deployment to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait where he was assigned as the Services Flight Commander for the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. In that role, he was responsible for the welfare and morale of over 7,000 Airmen, civilian contractors and allied forces from nations all over the world, including personnel from Canada, Italy, England and Denmark to name a few.
Over his more than nine years of service in the National Guard, Soosoo has established himself as an exemplary administrator and leader. Captain Taulelei currently resides in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife, a native of Philadelphia, and their two children.
