Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Julio A. Nieves
LOURDES, El Salvador - The Salvadoran Army sponsored a Mother’s Day appreciation event for Salvadoran and Joint Task Force Jaguar mothers participating in Beyond the Horizon-El Salvador 2013 here May 13.
“I’m very thankful for this event, it’s not every year that I get to celebrate Mothers Day along with other mothers from the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Teresa Navasa Sosa, a Salvadoran mother from San Juan Opico, El Salvador.
It was a complete day of tribute to military mothers from both countries and to the partnership between the two countries. The event took place at the Engineers Officers Club located here.
Within minutes after Joint Task Force Jaguar arrived, two bands arrived to entertain the guests with Salvadoran Music by dedicating songs to all mothers present, which was followed by a banquet of Salvadoran food.
“It feels good to be surrounded with other mothers who know and understand the sacrifices we make as women in the military,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tammy Boyd, the non-commissioned officer in charged of signal operations for Joint Task Force Jaguar, and Company C, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, Ga.
“Everything from the location to the band’s music was great,” said Boyd. “Salvadoran Col. Samuel Ruiz [the Task Force Acaxual Military District Six Commander] always goes out of his way for the soldiers.”
According to Sub-Lt. Sofia Mendoza Quan, being a mother and soldier is perhaps one of the most difficult things to juggle in life.
“I’m extremely happy to see that our superiors not only have dedicated this day to us mothers, but that they are also here celebrating with us,” said Mendoza, who is an alumnus of El Salvador’s Army School of Engineers and mother of two. “When we go to work, we have to put the role of mother aside. It’s a difficult task, but one that’s necessary in this career field.”
Mendoza added that being a mother and soldier requires making sacrifices for her and her family.
“It’s extremely difficult to go home only be able to see my kids sleeping and then leave in the morning while they are still sleeping, yet I’m gratified because I know that they are well because I am providing for them as well as serving my country, said Mendoza.”