SPC Alex Lazano and his mother, Marie, at the first annual Asian and American Lions Golf Tournament dinner reception on July 13th.

photo & story
by Alexis Ann

After graduating from East Lyme High, Specialist Alex Lozano of Niantic enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2005.  Next came the premier Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where SPC Alex learned how to be an “agile and adaptive” leader well grounded in Army values, war fighting tasks, MP technical skills, and doctrine. This training taught Alex to be a prepared soldier capable of executing the five MP functions in support of Military Police, Army, and Joint Force Commanders while conducting full spectrum operations.

Today, Specialist Alex Lozano remains on active duty in Niantic in “healing” status.  Last November, Alex was shot in the back while on patrol in Iraq.  “I was in a ‘Green Zone’ — it was supposed to be a safe zone,” Alex explained.  The bullet entered his right backside and came out his left front.  Alex lost a kidney.

Eight months later, as I interview him at the first annual Asian and American Lions Golf Tournament dinner reception, the 21-year old soldier tells me, “The pain is gone!”

A student at the University of New Haven, Alex was majoring in Criminal Justice before being deployed to Iraq in June 2008.  “I’ll have to find another major,” states SPC Alex.  “I’m considered a risk to work in the Criminal Justice System.”

When asked about the best lesson learned thus far?  Alex posits, “Never take anything for granted because too much can change in an instant!”

Clearly, SPC Alex exemplifies the lessons learned at Military Police School — ”agility and adaptability.”  The Resident salutes you, Alex…. Good luck with your studies at UNH.

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