Photo By Sgt. Nataja Ford | Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe joins Ashley, Kegan, and Emily Sanchez, family of Master Sgt....... read more read more
Subscribe
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Army Reserve hosted a ceremony here on April 5, 2025, to memorialize a local U.S. Army Reserve Center for a Kansas City soldier who died in 2023. The former Belton III Army Reserve Center was officially renamed the Master Sergeant Jerry Sanchez, Jr. Army Reserve Center. Family, friends, soldiers, and dignitaries, including Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, were on hand to commemorate Sanchez’s life and his lasting impact on the community and his fellow soldiers.
Master Sgt. Jerry Sanchez, Jr. was an active-duty soldier for the 348th Engineer Company, working in the same facility that would ultimately bear his name. The Laredo, Texas native demonstrated extraordinary leadership traits and regularly mentored junior soldiers which enabled them to better themselves, improving physical fitness scores and overall soldier welfare.
Sanchez was killed by a drunk driver in Kansas City on Nov. 19, 2023.
Brig. Gen. Kelly Hagenbeck, deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 88th Readiness Division, hosted the event. In his remarks during the ceremony, he emphasized Sanchez’s actions during his life and how he lived the Army’s core values. “We recognize Master Sergeant Sanchez not for how he died, but for how he lived his life through his actions: personal courage, duty, honor, and selfless service.”
Hagenbeck went on to share a statement from the memorialization testaments. “Master Sergeant Sanchez successfully helped three Soldiers who were at-risk. On his own time, he discovered all three were homeless and unemployed. He selflessly assisted each to find employment. He also helped each find living space through a homeless Veterans program in Kansas City. Over the course of the following months, each soldier had a job, living space and reliable transportation and were able to maintain their service in the U.S. Army Reserve.”
Ashley and Kegan Sanchez, Sanchez’s wife and son both spoke about Sanchez and stressed that no matter how busy he was, he was always there for his family.
“Even with his many responsibilities and obligations, he was there for my sister and I,” Kegan Sanchez said. “One of his best traits was his love for his family.”
Governor Kehoe also spoke about Sanchez’s impact in life. “Jerry was a loving husband and father and served as an incredible leader and mentor to many. It’s clear that Jerry’s faith guided him daily, and he never wavered in his compassion and sacrifice for others,” Kehoe added.
The Sanchez family was joined by Hagenbeck to unveil the bronze plaque that will be mounted inside the building for generations of Soldiers to see. The plaque states: “In memory of Master Sergeant Jerry Sanchez, Jr… This U.S. Army Reserve Center is dedicated as a memorial to his commitment to service. April 2025”
More than 150 people were in attendance. Ceremonial music was provided by the U.S. Army Reserve’s 312th Army Band from Lawrence, Ks.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2025 11:26 |
| Story ID: | 494945 |
| Location: | KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | LAREDO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Reserve Center Memorialized for Kansas City Soldier, by Christopher Hanson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
