Globe native, Technical Sgt. Jonathan Ortega, son of Joe Ray and Theresa Ortega, will be honored as the Grand Marshal in this year’s Independence Day Parade.
Ortega graduated from Globe High School in 1999 and shortly after, joined the United States Air Force Reserve in January 2002.
After the 9/11 attacks Ortega was called to active duty for two years serving in the 452nd Security Forces Unit. In 2003 he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning home, Ortega worked for a short time for the Gila County Engineering Department, but soon decided to return to active duty in the Air Force, being stationed at March Air Force Base, located in Riverside, California.
Currently he is Flight Chief in charge of 23 personnel. Ortega is the father of three sons, Marqus, Jonathan, Jr., and Braden. Beside his military duties, he owns and operates a small business specializing in property and residence clean out.
After retirement, Ortega hopes to serve his hometown in a new way by running for Gila County Board of Supervisors.
Join the Globe-Miami community on Wednesday, July 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with opening ceremonies in Historic Downtown Globe to cheer on Ortega and many other entries in the 2018 Cobre Valley Independence Day Parade and Celebration.
A parade entry form can be found here.
