Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Riley | 191010-N-MZ309-032 NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON, Wash. (Oct. 10, 2019) Naval Hospital...... read more read more
Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) celebrated Hispanic American Heritage Month on the quarterdeck with speakers, a cultural presentation by the NHB Choir, and food for staff members and visitors Oct. 10, 2019.
The event highlighted the command’s observation of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2019.
“This year’s theme is honoring Hispanic Americans essential to the blueprint of our nation,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Rachel Guevara, of NHB’s Human Resource department and master of ceremony for the annual event.
Capt. Shannon Johnson, NHB commanding officer, provided opening remarks and lauded the important contributions of Hispanic service members.
“This ceremony is dedicated to the commemoration of all Hispanic Americans who have contributed so much to our nation and to our American culture,” said Johnson. “Please join me in saluting and appreciating the legacy of all the Hispanic Americans who have served and are currently serving in our mighty United States Navy, and pay tribute to these patriots who are interwoven into and have deeply enriched the fabric of the United States of America.”
The Navy has long attributed that it is strengthened by the diversity among its combined active duty, reservist and civil service force.
Emphasizing Hispanic American heritage and Hispanic American patriots continues to honor the legacies of those who have defended the security of the country, as well as those currently serving.
“Hispanics have been serving our country and are worthy of recognition not just during Hispanic Heritage month, but each and every day,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Melly Ramirez, assigned Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command Everett and keynote guest speaker.
As of June of 2018, approximately 59,000 active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the Navy. Military service of Hispanic Americans dates back to the Civil War.
“Hispanic Americans have readily answered the call to serve our country,” said Ramirez. “Their stories, memories, and sacrifices cannot be allowed to fade away. This is what Hispanic Heritage Month is all about—not to highlight the differences between us, but to highlight the same perseverance, the same commitment to our ideals, and fulfill our sense of heritage.”
Hispanic Heritage month was initially observed in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson designated a week in mid-September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The week was extended in 1988 by President Ronald Regan to a month-long observance.
Ramirez shared her story that ultimately led her to serving in the Navy, explaining the trials she and her family faced, as well as her devotion to duty.
“I was born in Hidalgo, Mexico, in what many would call extreme poverty,” said Ramirez. “My childhood home was a small place with no electricity, no running water, and no opportunities.”
Ramirez explained that her mother brought Ramirez and her brother to the United States when they were both under the age of two and her mother was only 16.
“It was illegal, but she believed it was our only chance at a better life, a belief I hold today,” said Ramirez.
At the age of 19, Ramirez applied for legal residency, but instead of an appointment to speak with immigration, she received a letter stating she would be deported in 30 days.
“After seeking legal counsel I found that deportation was the only option,” said Ramirez. “Allowing immigration services to deport me would help me enter a sort of plea deal that would absolve me from my mother’s ‘crimes.’”
Ramirez turned to her mother for advice and she encouraged her to take the deal.
Taking the deal meant there was no guarantee Ramirez would ever be ever allowed back in the U.S. She was deported at the age of 19 to Mexico.
After two years of being separated from her family while living in a country she only had spent a year and a half of her life in as a young child, Ramirez was allowed to return to the U.S.
“At the age of 21 in February of 2008 I was able to come back home,” said Ramirez. “I swore to my mother that I would never leave home again, not knowing I would quickly break that promise.”
After returning, Ramirez felt a sense of duty and desire to take care of her family. This desire was brought on after her mother dug out some lunch money for Ramirez before leaving for work.
“At that moment I told myself I would not let her continue working so hard to take care of me,” said Ramirez. “I wanted to take care of her and I wanted to do something to make her proud, give her a reason to hold her head high and show her she had nothing to be ashamed of.”
On a whim Ramirez went to a recruiting office and joined the Navy. In March, 2008, she left her home again, but this time it was for boot camp.
Ramirez said she wanted to “prove to her [mother] that her sacrifices were not a crime and were in fact deeply rooted in love and family.”
“We may have unique experiences that led us to this country and lead us to serve,” said Ramirez. “However, we bring with us a strong commitment to our families and our faith. We can all look back at these great Hispanic Americans that served before us and to those we are currently serving with and acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices in the face of a fight for social justice that has been going on since before the birth of our Navy.”
Added Ramirez, “We are a better and stronger Navy and country for the contributions all Sailors have brought regardless of their country of birth and the circumstances that brought us here.”
According to 2018 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics comprise 18.1 percent of the total United States population, or 58.9 million people, forming America’s largest ethnic minority.
| Date Taken: | 10.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.10.2019 21:59 |
| Story ID: | 347379 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WA, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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