Photo By Sgt. Margaret Gale | Pfc. Alex Monge, food service specialist, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,...... read more read more
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>I grew up in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. There were a lot of gangs in my neighborhood so there were always shootings at two or three in the morning close to my house.
>Living in a one bedroom home was tough at times because I was living with my parents and siblings in a small space.
>When I was four years old my parents separated. It was a good thing because they always fought when they were together. Now they can be friends.
>After my parents separated, I became an older brother to two brothers and a sister through re-marriage.
>Due to the violence so close to my home, my brothers were taken to a safer part of Honduras and I stayed with my dad.
>Although I lived primarily with my dad, I was still able to spend equal time with my mom.
>My biggest role model growing up was my father. He had the potential to be a millionaire and was able to learn the skills to become a professional mechanic within four months.
>By the age of five I started practicing Capoeira, which is a martial art that also serves as a dance form, a couple days a week. My friends showed me what they were learning in class and I became interested in it, too.
> It was an intense experience when I actually used what I learned in Capoeira. It’s easier to use when you’re more surrounded. I liked it because I knew I would be able to protect myself if needed.
> Several of my extended family members joined the Honduras military, so my upbringing was very strict.
>When my dad and step-mom got together, I had to stop practicing Capoeira. She didn’t like the violence involved.
>Once my birth mother moved to America, my parents decided that it would be good for me to live with her. I learned English within three months.
>One day when I was 13 years old, I was coming home from church. I walked into my house and was greeted by my family members crying and hugging me. They told me that my dad had been shot during a gang related incident. I was shocked.
>I joined the Marine Corps on July 18, 2016. I wanted to join the branch that would offer the biggest challenge. I chose to enlist in the American military rather than Honduras, because the U.S. offers better benefits. The military in Honduras is influenced by the local gangs and there’s too much corruption.
>Being so far away from my family can be hard, but I still talk to them every day so it’s almost like I’m not even gone.
> A quote I live by is, “What is normal? Many assumptions by many people.” Many people have different views on things, so this quote shows there are different ways of thinking and it allows people to find a way to come together.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2017 18:04 |
| Story ID: | 245844 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 203 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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