Celebrating generations of Hispanic role models

By Spc. Jose RiveraSeptember 28, 2016

Latinos contribute to every aspect of our nation including music, culture, politics and the workforce. Every year the Hispanic population in the U.S. grows. Hispanic Heritage Month is special in America because it's an opportunity for all Latino Americans to celebrate the observance together.

Last year, my fiancé and I did something special with our families to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We set up a family tree on our circular dining table. Each photo included the name, birthday, occupation and date of a family member's death.

I like knowing where I came from. When I was younger, people often misidentified my heritage. It's important to know where we come from so the memories do not fade away. I found out my fiance's family came from Spain, Ecuador and Puerto Rico. Her family now knows where my side of the family comes from: Puerto Rico and Italy. It's bragging rights. For laughs, we tease each other over which country is the best.

We need to know the struggle of those who came before us and be thankful they helped paved the way for where we are today. I have many family members who were in the military before me and I am trying to keep the tradition going. A trail will only keep clear if we continue treading the dirt.

They were role models and I also want to be a role model. My brother is next in line to keep the tradition. He is planning to join the Marines in a year.

I can achieve my goals because of the achievements of those who came before me, like my Poppy. My grandfather was in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s. He talked about experiences on ships and submarines, but I never asked much about it. He would always talk about how good it would be for his grandsons to carry on that military heritage. It teaches you to become a man at such a young age, to fend for yourself, live on your own, and know the meaning of success.

I thought of my grandfather when I enlisted in the U.S. Army. If my children carried on this tradition, I would be proud to have set the example for them.

It's important for me to take the time to acknowledge what Hispanic heritage means to me. Following a long line of other Hispanic men who fought for freedom, that is the heritage I celebrate, the long line of heroes and role models who came before me.