Senior Airman Briana Fortuna: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Spotlight

Photo By Staff Sgt. Caleb Vance | Senior Airman Briana Fortuna. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance)  

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES

05.22.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance 

130th Airlift Wing

You don’t have to dig deep to see that the West Virginia National Guard is rooted deep in it’s heritage. From the infamous “Bee Line March,” of the oldest standing guard unit in the country long before we were ever a state; or the stories of General McLaughlin’s time in World War II later bringing his knowledge back and founding the West Virginia Air National Guard. If you dig a little deeper though, you’ll find every member has their own heritage story; a background that has shaped their life in becoming what they are today.

May is American Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we’re highlighting Senior Airman Briana Fortuna, a Supply Management Technician for the 130th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Her maternal grandfather, a Filipino, migrated from his native country to Hawai’i in 1938 and began working at a plantation. Her grandmother, part Filipino and Japanese, was born in Hawai’i.

Fortuna’s paternal grandfather, is a native of Seoul, Korea and he migrated to the U.S. in 1946. He also happens to be a former Green Beret in the U.S. Army, who retired as a Lt. Col. at the Pentagon. While serving in Vietnam, and on his first trip back to his home country, he earned a Purple Heart among many other awards fighting in the land where he was born. Fortuna credits his bravery and valiant service, along with her dad’s passion and love for the military as her reason for joining. “My dad’s passion became my passion, and became the biggest factor as my reason for joining,” said Fortuna. “Just being a part of something greater than myself is so rewarding.”

Fortuna joined the Active Duty Air Force in 2014, and eventually coming to West Virginia with her husband and joined the 130th in 2017. Her goals militarily are simple and straight forward: Deploying, climbing up in the ranks and following in the big footsteps of her grandfather. When times get tough she turns to something her grandfather said in an interview: “Life is a journey. At the end of life, all one has are family and friends with whom one shared the journey. How one has taken that journey, is the legacy one leaves. Be loving and kind, always courteous and generous. Be tolerant but wise. Have the courage to speak the truth even if at times the truth is not what one may wish to hear, whether a family member or dear friend, but speak it with love, and follow through and follow up.”

As for representing the strong heritage of the 130th Airlift Wing, the West Virginia Air National Guard, and most importantly the heritage of her culture and family legacy, it’s easy to say Fortuna does that well.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2018
• Date Posted: 05.22.2018 10:46
• Story ID: 277894
• Location: CHARLESTON, WV, US