Photo By 2nd Lt. Dillon Davis | SAN RAFAEL, Guatemala – Arkansas National Guard Spc. Alberto Hernandez, 142nd Fires...... read more read more
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Since Hernandez was a child, he dreamed of helping others. However, he never guessed it would lead him right back to his school in San Rafael, Guatemala.
“I was born in the San Juan de Dios Mixco Hospital, Guatemala,” said Hernandez. “While I lived in the area, I attended the Institutio Nacional Mixto De Educacion Basico in San Rafael. When I was age 12 my parents and grandparents had saved enough money to move our family to Garden City, Kan. We then moved to Springdale, Ark. and eventually to Bentonville, Ark. where I graduated from Bentonville High School. I had learned French and had experienced playing for two state championship football teams.”
For Hernandez, living in America was a drastic change from his early childhood in the San Rafael area.
“Growing up in Guatemala was like living in a box filled with everyone and everything I ever knew,” said Hernandez. “When I moved to the U.S. it was like taking the box away and suddenly being overwhelmed by how many things are outside of that box. There is opportunity if you are willing to put in a hard day’s work and remain dedicated. Your dreams are now possible and the technology is far better than you ever imagined. Now the world is open to what you want to be. That’s how I felt coming from Guatemala to the United States. We in the United States have opportunities, not free samples. If you work hard your dreams can come true. Ideas are now just rough drafts for the future.”
Hernandez went from playing war with his brother using action figures in Guatemala, to graduating high school and joining the U.S. military soon after.
“Growing up, I had an idea of what I wanted to be,” said Hernandez. “It seemed more like a dream at the time. I wanted to continue my education after my senior year in Bentonville High School. I knew I wanted a higher education. I wanted to make my parents proud and my first few visits to colleges appeared promising until I learned the cost.”
However, as with any good story, there comes a moment where it seems like a sign appears and tells you what to do next.
“On a late afternoon, while I was driving, I wanted to turn into a Starbucks for coffee. I made what I thought was a wrong turn, but it turned out to be the right turn. I had found myself in front of the Arkansas National Guard recruiting station in Rogers, Ark. It was as if fate had literally led me to my next stepping stone in life. When I read the signs for tuition assistance and achieving a higher education posted on the front of the building. I knew the answer was right in front of me. I’m a religious man and it seemed that God had led me to this very spot and into his graces.”
After serving a few years in the Arkansas National Guard, Hernandez had no idea that his past, present and future would come together in the form of a humanitarian assignment.
“I heard from my executive officer that there was an upcoming mission to Guatemala,” said Hernandez. “He told me what type of mission it was and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it. I volunteered to help provide humanitarian aid to the citizens of Guatemala. The chance to help the people of my home country was too good to pass up and it definitely helped that I knew the language and culture.”
Hernandez was told he would be supporting Exercise BEYOND THE HORIZON 2016 GUATEMALA as a supply technician. While he still helps in the supply field, he has been utilized as one of the key translators for the mission due to his dialect specific linguist skills and his can do attitude.
“My piece of the puzzle here is to use my background as a supply clerk to ensure that the engineers, medics, aviators and support personnel have everything they need to accomplish the mission,” said Hernandez. “I have also been playing a key role in translating for the forward operating base commander to help sustain partnerships with the local Guatemalan Army as well as creating new and lasting relations with the local communities.”
Not only did Hernandez grow up in Guatemala, but he attended the very same school that the U.S. Army South task force was constructing an additional school building for.
In a visit to the Instituto Nacional Mixto De Educacion Basica, he was able to speak to staff members and students.
“I remember the school looking more or less the same, but I could tell it had gotten older,” said Hernandez. “There was a lot more students now than there were before. It really makes me realize how far I have come since attending school here. I had a chance to meet with the INMDEB school director and he explained to me what has changed over the years and how they have grown and brought in a lot more kids.”
The improvements made since Hernandez attended there were vast.
“It’s really great to see how much they have improved and incorporated technology into teaching, which will definitely help these students in the future no matter what they decide to do,” said Hernandez. “I talked to a group of students and told them about how I went to the same school as them and eventually became a Soldier in U.S. Army. I let them know that if they have dreams, the key to achieving them is hard work and perseverance. I was just like them, and I had a dream of helping people and giving back to the community.”
The support U.S. Army South has given to the community has not gone unnoticed.
“We are very thankful for what U.S. Army South is doing to help us here,” said Astrid Magali-Matias, Instituto Nacional Mixto De Educacion Basica assistant director. “It is very surprising to see a former student that joined the U.S. military and come back here to help build the addition to the school.”
For Hernandez, the visit to his former school allowed him to reflect as well as help pave a way ahead.
“I think that with me being born here, growing up here and moving to the U.S., I have always wanted to come back and help,” said Hernandez. “I remember as a kid, I had wanted to be able to help others but never had the means to do so, but this exercise has made that a reality. This experience has definitely given me a sense of honor, integrity and an overall feeling of self-value. I am giving back to this community that I used to live in and it means a lot to me.”
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2016 10:54 |
| Story ID: | 197851 |
| Location: | SAN RAFAEL PIE DE LA CUESTA, GT |
| Hometown: | BENTONVILLE, AR, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, U.S. Soldier provides humanitarian aid to home country, by 2nd Lt. Dillon Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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