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Story by: Senior Airman Ashley Avecilla
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – They say it’s not what life throws at you, but how you handle it that determines your character.
For one soldier on the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team, that’s the story of his life.
U.S. Army Spc. Diego Medina is one of the 40 infantrymen who make up 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard.
Medina, who calls Boston home, is one of many service members who courageously supports Operation Enduring Freedom. What makes him unique is his lyrical talent.
Medina was born in La Ceiba, Honduras, and moved to the United States when he was still a child, where he learned English from listening to hip hop music. As a young teen, Medina said he lived a life filled with rage and frustrations.
However, he learned to turn the negative into the positive and began to use music as an outlet of expression. Medina began to freestyle in studio basements and school lunchrooms in tenth grade.
As time passed, Medina began to take music seriously.
“I started to articulate poetic consciousness and take the art of lyricism more seriously, as a stronger means of communication,” Medina said.
In 2008, Medina joined the Army National Guard. The continuous trials he faced not only inspired his musical talent, but also influenced his decision to enter the military.
Medina said he had hoped to play college football, but when those plans did not come to fruition, he was encouraged to look for a new path. The National Guard provided Medina the opportunity to attend college and the ability to develop and use his leadership skills.
He is once again turning the negative into the positive. Currently deployed with Paktika PRT in Afghanistan, Medina is using this experience to write new material and learn the meaning of appreciation.
He took this new situation of chaos and struggle and found peace where others find stress.
“Somehow in war, I find peace of mind because grunts are comfortable in conflict,” Medina explained. “I’ve always performed best when under pressure and it doesn’t get harder than being out here while maintaining composure.”
His first show was in Boston’s Strand Theater and he has since performed at the Youth Peace Conference for Teen Empowerment of Boston, the Verve Lounge, Zumix, Boston Festival and more.
Medina’s stage name is Rey Leon, and while he is currently working on an official website, his music can be found on social media sites. His next performance is scheduled for Feb. 8 at an event called Verbalization in Boston during his mid-tour leave.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2011 02:24 |
| Story ID: | 63986 |
| Location: | PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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