Growing up in Leominster, Massachusetts, life was not always easy for Luis Peña. Raised by a single mother with two siblings, he learned early the weight of responsibility and struggle. He saw friends and family fall into cycles he knew he wanted to break. “I knew if I didn’t leave, I’d end up going down the same road as many of my friends and family,” he recalls. Determined to create a different future, he graduated high school at 17 and, just a week later, enlisted in the U.S. Army, stepping into a world that would shape the next three decades of his life.

Luis’s military career was defined by service and leadership. Over 22 years on active duty, he completed three tours in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring in 2022. His journey took him across the country and the world, from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama to Fort Lewis in Washington, Fort Hood in Texas, Camp Humphreys in South Korea, Fort Eustis in Virginia, and Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. Among his most meaningful roles were serving as a platoon sergeant and later as a first sergeant, where he guided soldiers, mentored young leaders, and carried out the Army’s mission with dedication.

In 2009, Luis began a second chapter of service as a Federal Electronic Technician for the National Guard. Over 11 years, he worked his way up to Supervisor, overseeing electronics, calibration, and radiation operations for Massachusetts. By the time he retired from combined service in 2022, he had dedicated 32 years to his country, leaving a lasting mark through both leadership and technical expertise.

Luis’s commitment was recognized through numerous awards, including five Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, the Inter-American Multinational Force and Observer Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After retirement, Luis and his wife Wendy settled in Georgia to enjoy the warmer weather and the simple pleasures of family life. They share four sons, Devante, Luis Jr., Marcquise, and Zackarin, along with their four-month-old grandson, Matèo, and daughter-in-law Jeyloni. Luis is also a proud stepfather to Charlie and Trevor and values the close family connections that bring meaning and joy to his life.

He remains active in retirement, exercising—especially weightlifting—and traveling. A strong advocate for veterans, he supports organizations like Wounded Warriors. When asked what advice he would give to young people considering the military, he is clear: “Follow orders and always train like it is a real mission.”

Luis Peña’s story is one of determination, service, and family. From leaving home as a teenager seeking a better path to leading soldiers across the globe, his journey shows how dedication and leadership can shape a lifetime while balancing the joy of spending time with those he loves.