ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Hector Rodriguez, deputy chief of the U.S. Army Communication-Electronics Command G3/5 Operations Division, has spent the last 26 years as a federal employee, four of them at APG.
Growing up in Port Isabel and Houston, Texas, Rodriguez was brought up with Mexican traditions, food and music. He visited his grandparents in Mexico many times during his childhood and young adulthood.
“[Those traditions] are how my wife and I grew up,” Rodriguez said. “At the same time, my family and I incorporate our proud American culture into family activities, holidays and patriotic ways of life, too.”
Rodriguez likes to connect with his heritage through speaking Spanish, participating in certain customs and celebrations. His daughter, Clarissa, recently celebrated her fifteenth birthday and had a quinceañera.
“The quinceañera has roots in old Mexican culture and has been influenced over time by Spain,” Rodriguez said. “They’re not exclusive to Mexico, but customarily involve a private blessing from the church with the family. The young woman accepts the responsibilities of young adulthood.”
One of the traditions at a quinceañera is receiving “her last doll” as a child. After she receives it, she hands it down to her younger sister. This represents Clarissa’s transition from a little girl to a young adult.
Another way Rodriguez connects his family with their culture is through food. They make tortillas and tamales together during the holidays. Music and dance are other great ways to connect.
“Hispanic Heritage Month signifies a time to take a look around at the achievements of others,” Rodriguez said. “We can acknowledge that Hispanics are free to express cultural heritage and look introspectively at how I can better serve my country and my organization as Mexican/American.”
Rodriguez believes that the federal service needs “people who think differently.”
“I want young Hispanic people to realize they carry not only a diversity of culture, but of thought,” he said. “The Dept. of the Army needs people who think through problems in different ways. If we all think the same, then no one is thinking.”
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