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 totally agree with that statement. I wish it were true and reality, but the liberals and do-gooder sociologist types have type cast everyone but whites into political and socio-economic groups. Even some whites.
I am a non-hyphenated eastern block immigrant myself.
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