Photo By Lance Cpl. Glen Santy | Sgt. Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez, Jr., an AV/8B Harrier mechanic with Marine Attack...... read more read more
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CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Humbly approaching the podium Sgt. Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez, Jr. made one last look at his wife Jessica Rodriguez before starting his speech. He started by thanking god for his abilities and for the support from his family, friends and the local community. He spoke about when people thank him for his actions or his service he always says thank you back for the support and the encouragement he receives from those around him. Before stepping down he and the audience took a brief moment of silence to remember U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens, who was killed in the line of duty Sept. 11, and all service members who had lost their lives.
The Rodriguez Hernandez family was chosen as the New Bern, N.C., Family of the Quarter by the New Bern Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee and other local leaders at the New Bern Golf and Country Club Sept. 13.
The pair has spent countless hours volunteering at the Religious Community Services soup kitchens where hundreds of volunteers come together from Craven, Jones and Pamlico Counties and serve hot meals seven days a week to anyone who needs it. They also spend time with Habitat for Humanity building houses for the homeless and families in need.
"It's overwhelming, we don't ever expect anything like this when we volunteer," said Jessica Rodriguez. "This is our community and they give so much to us so why can we give back to them. With the economy the way it is there are a lot of people who need help and need volunteers, and we like to volunteer and lend a hand where it's really needed."
The family spoke about finding their inspiration through the children they serve at the soup kitchen and how the little things, like a small piece of cake, so commonly get taken for granted.
"They'll melt your heart," said Jessica Rodriguez. "You'll see them pass the green beans and other vegetables then come to the desserts and their jaws will just drop, speechless at all the cakes and cookies. Sometimes they'll come up for seconds and say 'ma'am can we please have another' and I just want to give it all to them."
The couple is driven by the idea that one person can change the world. Working as a team they work together to achieve their self-inflicted obligations.
Jessica Rodriguez remembered the first time she went to volunteer at one of the soup kitchens where she felt nervous, anxious and found herself thinking, 'can I do this!'
"All it took was getting out there and doing it," she said. "Do it no matter how scared you are, at least try it once. I tell everybody that."
One supporter, Maj. Keith Warren, the logistics officer for MAG-14, said he felt personally inspired by the young couple and had kept him and several Marines from throughout the command up with their volunteer hours as well.
"He's an outstanding Marine and he has given more than I could ever have expected," he said. "Hearing about him getting out and volunteering re started the fire for me to get out and keep me going so I've been getting to the RCS and helping with the soup-kitchens as well."
At the ceremony the family received more than $2,000 worth of awards ranging from at Stanley's tool set to $250 gift cards to Target from their supporters.
"One thing I failed to mention in my speech was as a Marine Corps, we live by our core values of honor, courage and commitment," said Rodriguez Hernandez, an AV/8B Harrier mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 223. "As Marines we give that to the Marine Corps but we also give that back to the community. We're selfless and give up our time to expand those corps values."
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2012 12:45 |
| Story ID: | 94963 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 201 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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