HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE -- The Miami Chamber of Commerce selected one of Team Homestead’s finest as a Military Service Person of the Year for their 29th Annual Awards Program and Salute to the Military.
Master Sgt. Frank Navarro, the 482nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard superintendent, was among eight other military personnel who received the award for their impact on their local communities.
During the past year, Navarro oversaw the completion of 290 funerals. To achieve this, he traveled more than 16,500 miles and touched the lives of nearly 6,000 grieving family members.
“We all serve a purpose, and I take that responsibly seriously,” said Navarro. “I’m paying back these fallen veterans and their families for their service. Under my watch, they are getting their due. These families give more to me than I do to them by reminding me to live my life and enjoy time with my family.”
Since beginning his honor guard service in 1996, he has trained more than 50 Airmen and strives to instill a service before self mentality within the base honor guard. His coaching-style leadership approach to his Airmen helps them develop their strengths as honor guard members and become productive members of the 482nd FW.
He is a recognized face around the base as a leader for events like the 4th of July celebration and the upcoming Halloween Haunted House, which he started and has run for eight years. These events help bring the base together provide family-friendly activities for more than 2,000 members and their dependents each year.
“I’m not afraid to ask people around the base what their talents are and use those to benefit the base as a whole,” said Navarro. “There has to be an element of fun when it comes to organizing these events, or why would people want to do it. I’m too dumb to fail and have faith that everything will come together, you have nothing to lose by asking, just do your thing.”
Inventing and organizing base-wide events can be intimidating to some, but Navarro is not afraid of failure and says that is what leads to success.
“You just have to get in there and do it,” said Navarro. “Some people hold themselves back and nothing gets accomplished because they are afraid to fail or make mistakes. It’s like waiting for the first guy to head to the buffet line.”
When it comes to mentorship, Navarro extends beyond the eight Airmen on his honor guard team. He spends his spare time with the local Civil Air Patrol, Job Corps, Scout Troops and law enforcement honor guard programs.
“Being on the Honor Guard and going to countless funerals over the past 13 years has taught me that you can’t waste your time worry about the future,” said Navarro. “Being a part of these programs lets me live life more fully.”
Perhaps what he is most known for is his penchant for dressing up like Batman and encouraging other Airmen to dress as superheroes. These hero-clad Airmen visit local schools and lead campaigns against bullying.
His Batman persona came from a services-run program called Kid’s Club in 2005 where he originally dressed as Batman while his son dressed as Robin, Batman’s faithful sidekick, and a friend dressed as the infamous villain, the Joker.
“When I first joined the military I didn’t apply my theatre background but as I grew older and more experienced I found this outlet for it,” said Navarro. “Batman was a recognized figure when I started and is easily recognized by kids and parents alike today.”
Aside from Batman being universally recognizable, Navarro choose the hero because he does not possess any powers. He relies on his intellect to overcome his foes.
“I use Batman’s background to try to encourage kids to study and remind them that there are more good kids than bullies,” said Navarro. “It just takes one person to stand up to a bully and the rest will follow.”