CRYSTAL LAKE – A Marine from Crystal Lake honored for his extensive volunteer work while serving overseas said giving back simply “runs in his blood.”

Sgt. Juan M. Vallejomunoz on Tuesday was given the American Legion’s Spirit of Service Award at the Legion’s National Convention in Indiana.

Stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 26-year-old graduated from Crystal Lake South High School in 2004. The son of Pedro Vallejo and Cecilia Herron, he originally is from Guayaquil, Ecuador. He moved to the U.S. in 2002.