Command Sgt. Maj. Martin “Gunny” Barreras Park dedicated

Over 160 people attended the dedication of Command Sgt. Maj. Martin “Gunny” Barreras Park, on Monday. The family of Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras was joined by his former coaches, friends, and his fellow soldiers.

The park, located on South Campbell Avenue, just south of Drexel Road, will feature signs with Barreras’ name.

Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras, died at the age of 49, on May 13 at then San Antonio Military Medical Center, from wounds suffered on May 6, in Harat Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Command Sgt. Barreras, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, graduated from Sunnyside High School.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras entered the Army in 1988 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years. After completing Advanced Individual Training, Airborne School, and 75th Ranger Regimental Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington.

He was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regimental Training Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2000. He has served every position including squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, Regimental Reconnaissance Company sergeant major, and Joint Special Operation Task Force sergeant major.

He served multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and also deployed in support of Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.