Posted on 10/03/2003 3:53:36 PM PDT by Spruce
Hispanics defending freedom -- contributions to remember10/3/2003 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Many Hispanic Americans have been drawn to military service for myriad of reasons -- to seek opportunities for education, growth, advancement, skills and professional success. Other factors include a sense of patriotism, love of country and hunger to serve. Hispanic Americans have contributed gallantly to the defense of our nation. We have 40 Medal of Honor recipients, more than any other demographic segment. Indeed, the military and civilian contributions of Hispanic Americans reflect a deep commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy. From the American Revolution to our latest conflict, the global war on terrorism, Hispanic Americans have risked and sacrificed their lives to defend freedom. Here are just a few achievements of some of those individuals: The Civil War’s most famous Hispanic was Adm. David Farragut. He served gallantly in the Civil War and was instrumental in capturing New Orleans and seizing control of the Mississippi River. He has been immortalized in history books for his war cry, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” He was the first admiral in the Navy. Congress created the rank for him, specifically, in recognition of his contributions during the Civil War. Loreta Velazquez was the first Hispanic female spy in U.S. history. She was a Cuban-born woman who disguised herself as a Confederate soldier and served as Lt. Harry Buford. Velazquez left her married, domestic life in San Antonio and fought in such battles as Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Although never officially recognized militarily for her efforts, her life story is chronicled in the book, The Woman in Battle. Marine Pfc Guy “Gabby” Gabaldon, a Los Angeles native, captured more than 1,000 Japanese in the South Pacific during World War II. After learning Japanese from his adopted Japanese family, he used it to obtain vital information on enemy positions that aided in that capture. He received a Silver Star for heroism. In Silvas, Ill., just west of Chicago, is a street named Hero Street, formerly known as Second Street. It is just one and a half blocks long in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. Joe Gomez, Pete Macias, Johnny Munoz, Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, Joe Sandoval, William Sandoval and Claro Soliz grew up together in this small street in a very close-knit community, working for the railroad, just as their fathers before them had done. They went to war in World War II without hesitation and never came back. As it turns out, 84 men from the 22 families who resided on this street participated in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. This street has contributed more men to military service than any other place of comparable size in the United States. Hero Street, U.S.A, has a remarkable story of personal sacrifice and patriotism. In 2001, America lost a Latino patriot who was diligent in the defense of his country and who protected American lives many times over. His code name, Tango – Mike – Mike, stood for “That Mean Mexican.” This patriot, who was also a Medal of Honor recipient, was Army Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez. In his book “Medal of Honor: One Man’s Journey from Poverty to Prejudice,” He wrote these memorable words: “I believe that there is no greater calling for a man or woman to serve in the military of a free nation. I believe that it is a calling that transcends all others because embedded deep within the soul of every free man or woman is the knowledge that every freedom we have was earned for us by our ancestors, who paid some price for that freedom. Each and every generation must relearn those lessons, and they are best learned by doing. The strength of every free nation depends on this transfer of knowledge. Only through the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation will free men survive.” Each day, we have an extraordinary opportunity, an opportunity to be better than we were yesterday. We must all strive to improve ourselves to be the best we can be. That’s how we can honor the memory of those who have given their lives to fight and defeat terrorism and ensure their sacrifices are not in vain. When opportunity knocks, we must be ready to answer the door. Winston Churchill once said, “To every man, there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared and unqualified for the work that would be his finest hour.” Opportunity, combined with education, is a key to success; and the military is a great place to seek it, find it and achieve success from it. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) |
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I think they got a pretty fair deal just by getting to live in the USA instead of Mexico --- and I think they all realized that too. I've never heard of any New Mexicans or Tejanos trying to secede from the USA --- all that Aztlan stuff comes from the immigrant group which took the Mexican side of San Jacinto. The SW hispanics live much better than they ever could have in Mexico.
I also have experienced that same thing. The bank guards come over and make you go to the front of the line and you try to argue that the Indians and mestisos were ahead of you ---- but they make it clear they mean business ---- you must go to the front of the line if you're white. Just look at the shows coming out of Mexico --- the novelas are a good example --- even the maid and gardener roles are usually played by white actors. Their beauty pageants never have anyone with Indian features, only the most European types.
That's true --- and they'll tell you that. I think that's one good thing about some of this high immigration --- they are seeing first hand a less racist society and what having a middle class means --- if they ever go back, I think some changes will have to happen back in Mexico ---- but of course that's exactly why Vicente Fox is so eager to get more of those people here --- the elites are scared if they stay or come back.
Oh, and don't forget our white and black military heros, oh, oh and our Asian military heros....
Sheesh, what is wrong with you people? Why do you have to pick out race in our military?
What's wrong with our "American" military heros?
What BS....
What does people entering our country illegally by the millions have to do with our armed forces?
Are you implying that all hispanics/latinos in America came here illegally?
Huh?
How did you come to that? Where did I imply that in my above post?
Get a grip.....LOL!
If there was a thread for each of those, I would have honored them.
I think latinos/hispanics (difference?) feel a little under the gun since they have so many countrymen who are breaking our immigration laws -- its OK to kind of back off and let them know we see the good as well.
Well maybe you ought to start a thread for the white guys and then one for the black guys in the military. Just so we don't leave them out.......
Sarcasm.......
All comments I made after that were directed to Spruce not to you.
We need to destroy the myth of all hispanics supporting illegal immigration just like the myth that demoncrats are the only party that helps minorities. Although anti-illegal hispanics are a minority, they can still get a conservative elected without selling out principles. If they are mentioned more, they could become a majority.
If somebody would get a list of the efforts to stop illegal immigration and show how hispanics support these efforts, it would be very effective.
They are as rare as Black conservatives and don't make too many waves. I have seen a couple on the news over the past few months.
There was some interesting voting data that came out from the 2000 election which showed conservative/anti illegal hispanics stronger in the west and of course Texas, but they are far out numbered by their Chicano and Eastern brothers and sisters.
Not much data to show really.
The RNC is courting them, but conservative activist's are critisizing their efforts as treason.
This is not my opinion.
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