Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | Approximately 70 High School Senior Future Service Members from all over Puerto Rico...... read more read more
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Approximately 70 High School Senior Future Service Members from all over Puerto Rico were honored at the 6th Annual “Our Community Salutes” banquet held at the Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters, Puerta de Tierra, Old San Juan on May 4, 2017.
Our Community Salutes is a national, non-profit organization created to recognize and honor graduating high school students who plan to enlist in the armed services.
Brig. Gen. Alberto C. Rosende, U.S. Army Reserve 1st Mission Support Command commanding general and keynote speaker, addressed the Future Service Members and their parents on the critical contributions of Puerto Ricans to the defense of our nation. He also shared his gratitude for being a part of “Our Community Salutes.”
“First a thank you to our youth that is present here today,” said Rosende. “They have shown great patriotism with their choice to enlist into military service and be part of something that is bigger than any one of us individually.”
“I would also like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the parents, family, and friends of these young individuals; for the support given to help reach the decision of joining the military,” he continued. “Also, for the support that you will continue to provide while they continue down their career path where they may face difficult times.”
Rosende provided a short introduction into the armed forces by using his personal career as a reference. He differentiated between the active component and reserve components of the military. As a Reserve Soldier, he was able to describe what being “Twice the Citizen” really means.
“As a Reserve Soldier we have two roles that we play,” said Rosende. “We have our civilian job and family, but we are also required to be Soldiers. As Soldiers, we have to ensure that we are always ready to respond to our nation's call.”
“This path that you have chosen is full of challenges, both physically and mentally, it is important to remember what your parents, family, teachers, religious leaders, and other role models have taught you as they have helped you grow. These life lessons will be important to ensure that you are successful even if this road gets complicated.”
“You are the leaders of the future,” said Rosende. “We may be part of different services but don’t forget that we are all part of the same team. During war, we all support each other. I congratulate you for making this choice and raising your right hand.”
Over 220 Future Soldiers, parents and service members from all five services were represented during the event. Community leaders in attendance include Brig. Gen. Alberto C. Rosende, commanding general for the 1st Mission Support Command; Maj. Gen. (Retired) Felix Santonio, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) in Puerto Rico; representative for Governor of Puerto Rico Ricardo Rossello; representative for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Jenniffer Gonzalez; Mr. Augustin Montanez, Veteran Advocate for Puerto Rico; former Senator Lucy Arce and grassroots outreach program members.
Every student in attendance was recognized and given an “Our Community Salutes” certificate, a certificate of recognition from the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, certificate of recognition from the Senate of Puerto Rico and a certificate of recognition from the Resident Commission of Puerto Rico, the Honorable Jenniffer Gonzalez.
“As individuals, we have all reached the point of exhaustion and fatigue," said Jean Flores Martinez, valedictorian of graduating class and future U.S. Marine. "However, as a family, we all motivate and push each other through the pain to be able to chant victory at the end of the day."
“All in all, we made the same decision, to serve our country in the best way possible," said Martinez. "For me, it’s just by being a part of the Few, the proud, the United States Marine Corps. May God bless our families and us so that we may have a bright and prosperous future within the Armed Forces, Semper Fi!”
OCS was founded in 2009 by educator and former U.S. Army officer, Dr. Kenneth Hartman, to provide enlistees and their parents with guidance, information, resources and community support from like-minded enlistees and parents as their son or daughter transition into military service.
The organizing body of Our Community Salutes includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly about the importance of community support and recognition of the courageous and patriotic young adults who will serve in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation and join the 1% of Americans who serve in uniform.
“It’s a huge roll, when we talk about recruiting, regardless of branch, it’s all about providing choices for these young adults,” said Lt. Col. Harold Miller, Miami Recruiting Battalion Commander, US Army. “When I come to Puerto Rico to attend this OCS event, and I get to see how proud parents are of their children that have decided to raise their right hand and serve their country, it’s incredible. As a battalion commander, I am very proud to be a part of this event.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2017 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 232752 |
| Location: | PR |
| Web Views: | 406 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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