Cafecito Caliente and Title Sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union are proud to recognize Jose Raul Velaquez as our Veteran of the Year for 2026. This new award is something that Cafecito has been thinking about for a few years as once upon a time the GI Forum here in Lansing had an active presence. The GI Forum was a reminder of the people who served, and that it was necessary for people to continue to serve our country. Jose not only served but continues to actively recruit by making his presence felt in the community and so many of us have seen him at the Lansing Lugnut home games giving his time, advice and wisdom to those seeking to serve. Although all should be recognized for their service, we could only choose one this year, so our first Veterans Award goes to Jose Raul Velaquez.
Jose Raul Velasquez was born April 23, 1968, in Lansing, Michigan, to Raul and Maria Velasquez. He is the eldest of three brothers, Luis and Nestor. He attended Gier Park, St. Therese, Otto, and Eastern. His parents moved from Laredo, Texas, in 1962 so his father could work in the auto industry. Jose learned a strong work ethic from them.
Jose enlisted in the Marine Corps in the summer of 1986 and graduated from boot camp in San Diego on October 24, 1986. He began his military career at his first duty station in Futenma, Okinawa, with 1st LAADBn, where he experienced Japanese
culture. He later returned to the United States and served with 2nd LSBn at Camp Lejeune, where he completed cold-weather training and spent several months in Norway. As his first enlistment ended, he re-enlisted and completed his service at
Quantico, Virginia. Honorably discharged as a Corporal after over 6 years, he knew it was time to return to Michigan.
When he returned to Lansing, he expected to work in factories, but he held several jobs before joining a GM supplier. When that factory shut down, he considered spending his time losing golf balls and retiring. Instead, he went to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in professional communication and two associate degrees in management and leadership. He currently is employed with the State of Michigan working in Human Resources servicing Michigan Department of Corrections.
He joined the Marine Corps League, Capital Detachment, with a vision to make them more visible in the community. You can see him out in town recruiting for the League or supporting different community events. He currently holds the Sr. Vice Commandant
position with the Capital Detachment and is the Dog Robber position (treasurer) with the Military order of the Devil Dog (the fun and honor society) for Michigan.
He continues to show pride in his service and wants to encourage all Marines to continue the mission but now at our local level. He still actively volunteers in the community, donating his time with the Wharton center, and his beloved Bulldog rescue
(For the Love of Lucy West Michigan Bulldog rescue). He is married to Pam Velasquez, and has two children, Victoria (Kyle) and Nicholas (Kari). However, his true joy is his two granddaughters Arizona and Teddi Jo. He volunteered to make a difference in the
world, now his goals are to make a better world for them.
The Awards program Title Sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union takes pride in making Michigan a better place to live, work, and enjoy financial wellbeing. They also care deeply about the people of our state. The Lake Trust team and the Lake Trust Foundation give back through regular volunteer events and transformative community grants, donations, and academic scholarships. Lake Trust Credit Union was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Cafecito Awards, the Title Sponsor in 2025 and Cafecito welcomes them back to have them as the Title Sponsor for the 2026 Awards!
Lake Trust Credit Union website – https://laketrust.org/
Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/2026-cafecito-caliente…/
Sponsorship: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/gold-benefits-package-1000/
Sponsorship: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/partners-sponsorship…
