Hispanic Army Family proud of heritage, American citizenship

By Shannon CollinsOctober 5, 2015

Hispanic Army Family proud of heritage, American citizenship
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Hispanic Army Family proud of heritage, American citizenship
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jenny Lopez-Guerrero, wife of Army Capt. Daniel Lopez-Guerrero, prepares a traditional Honduran meal during National Hispanic Heritage month on Fort Lee, Va., Sept. 11, 2015. A typical Honduran patelito consists of flour or corn tortillas with beef o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (DoD News, Oct. 2, 2015) -- The smell of patelitos wafts through the air as the Army logistician prepares his uniform for school. As they start their day, he, originally from Cuba, and his Honduran wife, reflect on the importance of their respective Hispanic cultures and on being U.S. citizens during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Active Guard Reserve Soldier Army Capt. Daniel Lopez-Guerrero is attending the Captains Career Course for the logistics branch and will be assigned to the 317th Military Police Battalion in Tampa, Florida, as the S4.

Daniel said his parents came to Miami from Cuba when they were very young at the beginning of the Cuban exile. They have been U.S. citizens for the past 40 years, living in Miami, where he grew up.

SERVICE

"My father came to the United States when he was 8 years old because his parents understood the outcomes that were going to happen after Fidel Castro came into power," he said. "My role model, my father, always made it a point to show us, even though he didn't serve in the military, he always made it a point to teach us that the freedom and rights we have and the society we live in wasn't given to us free. It's been paid for in blood. It's been built on the sacrifice of many generations that came before us."

He said his father was his role model and that sense of patriotism led him to wear the uniform as a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, serve in the Civil Air Patrol and then to enlist in the Army.

"I've always enjoyed the structure of having a uniform and everything that came with it," Daniel said.

Daniel's wife, Linda Lopez-Guerrero, is also proud of both her heritage and of being an American.

"I was born in Honduras and came to live in Miami when I was 13 years old," Linda said. "My parents are from Honduras. It's been a great experience to continue to have my culture and my roots around while I had the opportunity to become an American citizen. Now, I couldn't be prouder to be an Army wife."

Linda's brother, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Medina, is a Kiowa helicopter crewchief.

"I'm very proud he joined the military," she said. "Most of my Honduran Family is completely proud of him."

KEEPING HERITAGE STRONG

The Lopez-Guerreros said they are proud they raised their three children to respect their Hispanic heritage and to speak and write in fluent Spanish.

"I consider myself an American through and through, but I also believe it's important to understand where you come from," he said.

Linda said she is also proud of their children for more than their grasp of the language, which they still speak today.

"I'm also very proud that although our three children were born here, they're very much into soccer, our national sport in Honduras," Linda said. "In Cuba, they don't play soccer; their national sport is baseball. But he gets into it. I was very proud of my middle daughter when she played soccer in Savannah, when we were stationed at Fort Stewart. It just extends my love for America and having a little bit of Honduras in my American kids. It also makes me proud to see how soccer is growing in this country and how people are getting to love it as much as my country does."

DIVERSITY IN SERVICE

Daniel said all ethnicities bring different perspectives on different cultures within the military and make it a stronger force. He said it's a reflection of regular American society and that one of the strengths of the United States is that it has people from all over the world and from all walks of life.

"Being Hispanic, we're very Family oriented, and I see my Soldiers as an extension of my Family. I've got to do everything I can to make sure they advance and make sure they're taken care of," Daniel said. He said his heritage has also helped him be more accepting of other customs and cultures and work with people of various nationalities.

Daniel said he's seen Hispanics "well represented across the military, especially in the Army. You have Hispanic brothers and sisters throughout the service at all levels."

Linda said that Hispanics "are a lively group. It's a rich culture. We bring some flavor to wherever we are, wherever we go. Whatever group you stick a Hispanic in, there's going to be some flavor to it. We're very dedicated; we're very loyal. There's a lot to learn from every different culture, and we Latinos have a lot to give to the world."

Linda and Daniel are both working on their master's degrees and plan on achieving their doctorate degrees within the next three years. Their dreams are to teach at online universities. They said they will continue to honor their heritage and patriotism.

"As a group of Hispanics in the United States, we are grateful for the opportunity for being in this country and for having all the opportunities we are given," Linda said. "We invite everyone to continue to be proud and show that and to come together when it comes to Hispanics being represented. We bring something to this country, and the majority of us are very proud of the opportunity of doing it."

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Related Links:

Army News Service

Hispanics in the U.S. Army

Army.mil: Human Interest News