GoVets Spotlight: Essentials, Expertise & Entrepreneurship

Albert Flores Tristan, an Army veteran, was born in March 1949 in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Mexico, he immigrated to the United States in 1955 at the age of six. He graduated from North Dallas High School in 1968 and continued living in Texas until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1969 during the Vietnam War. He served as an infantry specialist in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.

Shortly before November 4, 1979, Sickmann was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Iran. On that day, a group of Islamic Revolution supporters stormed the embassy, taking many American civilian staff hostage. Sickmann and his fellow Marines were also captured and held at gunpoint until they were ordered to surrender. Separated from most of the other hostages except for two, Sickmann endured captivity that became even more isolating after the failed Operation Eagle Claw rescue in April 1980, which led to his placement in solitary confinement. Ultimately, the hostages were released on January 21, 1981—444 days after the crisis began—following a deal involving the return of $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets and a U.S. pledge of non-interference in Iranian matters. After his return, Sickmann was honorably discharged three months later and awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Award of Valor, and Good Conduct Medal.

Mary’s early exposure to progressive ideals shaped her path. She began her academic journey at a seminary, becoming a teacher, but her passion for helping others pushed her further. In 1855, she graduated with a medical degree from Syracuse Medical College, becoming a trained surgeon at a time when very few women entered the medical profession.

Explore which U.S. industries are built to weather rising tariffs—and how GoVets adapts with smart logistics, flexible sourcing, and real-time price adjustments.