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Im still waiting for US Army SFC Modesto Cartegena to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Korea. Perhaps Cpl Ramos' award will help get the ball rolling.
Alot of Americans overlook the contributions that US territories and their residents have made to protect our nation. Few Americans know that the Puerto Rico National Guard is the only one (out of 55 in the nation) that regularly meets it's annual recruiting and retention quota ... in fact it's actually over strength but the US Army looks the other way because they know the Puerto Ricans are among the best warriors we have.
Im still waiting for US Army SFC Modesto Cartegena to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Korea. Perhaps Cpl Ramos' award will help get the ball rolling.
Alot of Americans overlook the contributions that US territories and their residents have made to protect our nation. Few Americans know that the Puerto Rico National Guard is the only one (out of 55 in the nation) that regularly meets it's annual recruiting and retention quota ... in fact it's actually over strength but the US Army looks the other way because they know the Puerto Ricans are among the best warriors we have.
Well, that factoid is much more economics driven, in an otherwise very poor island. Also remember Puerto Ricans are one the few Latin American populaces that have never seen civil bloodshed, so we are not in aggregrate that historically violence-hardened like South Americans are. But as a first generation Puerto Rican in the CONUS and a Servicemember myself, I will support the assertion we are as committed as any mainlander when it comes to defending the Red White and Blue. As a matter of fact, the CONUS gets a great deal on quality labor from the island these days and for the last 10 years via brain drain.
Yes indeed! Very impressive. You probably read that he also wrote a few books including one titled Roman Eagles Over Ethiopia while serving as an observer in the Italo-Ethiopian war.
Now tell me, why is this outstanding Hispanic Boricua not heralded, celebrated and brought to the fore of our lives and communities? Why are people like Hector Lavoe (a wreckless habitual drug user who died of AIDS) revered, respected and looked up to by our masses, especially our young people?
When are we going to see movies about people like Lt. General Pedro Del Valle to inspire us into positive, honorable, commendable roles worth emulating? When?
Our young people need heroes and positive role models. And not just people from the sport and entertainment world. They need heroes and role models from the science, financial, military, and medical fields.
The heck with Wisin y Yandel! Our young people need to know there are men and women out there of substance whom through great sacrifices have made even greater contributions to society.
Last edited by chacho_keva; 09-09-2012 at 01:48 PM..
I believe Pedro del Valle was the first Puerto Rican flag officer in the US military. IIRC there was also a Puerto Rican born US Navy admiral at the time as well but del Valle got his stars first.
Dwight Eisenhower's West Point roommate was a Puerto Rican. He tutored Ike in Spanish so he could pass the mandatory foreign language class.
I agree whole heartedly however,different from other societies and immigrant groups our collective historic memory has been practically erased. Most Puerto Ricans begin their historic memory in 1970, when food stamps flooded the island and converted us into a super dependent society. Dependency is everywhere, even joining the armed forces is a kind of dependency. After all the word is that after a number of years one gets full pension and Benefits, all secured by the Federal government. Nonetheless despite our historical forgetfulness our monuments in Old San Juan, our literature and our relentless defense of our culture and language dispel the myth that we are useless.
Another problem is that our Diaspora, on the average, has been reared in the culture of the American urban ghetto. We have copied the educational standards and dependency of marginal groups. Is it any wonder why other immigrant Latino groups begin to surpass us in education and entrepenuership?
Our heroes are J-Lo, Daddy Yankee and sports figures. There is nothing wrong with this but they are basically marginal people in the larger scheme of things. Imagine if Jews held their heroes to be only base ball players and singers, where would they be?
I agree whole heartedly however,different from other societies and immigrant groups our collective historic memory has been practically erased. Most Puerto Ricans begin their historic memory in 1970, when food stamps flooded the island and converted us into a super dependent society. Dependency is everywhere, even joining the armed forces is a kind of dependency. After all the word is that after a number of years one gets full pension and Benefits, all secured by the Federal government. Nonetheless despite our historical forgetfulness our monuments in Old San Juan, our literature and our relentless defense of our culture and language dispel the myth that we are useless.
Another problem is that our Diaspora, on the average, has been reared in the culture of the American urban ghetto. We have copied the educational standards and dependency of marginal groups. Is it any wonder why other immigrant Latino groups begin to surpass us in education and entrepenuership?
Our heroes are J-Lo, Daddy Yankee and sports figures. There is nothing wrong with this but they are basically marginal people in the larger scheme of things. Imagine if Jews held their heroes to be only base ball players and singers, where would they be?
A couple of points. In general, I agree with your premise. I differ with your position regarding those who have rightfully and legitimately EARNED pensions and lifelong benefits after serving in the Military for 20+ years. These benefactors are not the same as those leeche-like liars who cheat their way into a disability or SSI pension. Sure, are retired ex-military personnel dependent on a federally secured gov't pension? Yes, they are! Having placed their lives on the line for 20+ years, would it be fair to say that they've EARNED their pension? Absolutely!
Once again, I am in agreement with your statement regarding role models whom are truly marginal people in the grand scheme of things. And for this very reason, it is time young people realized they'd do themselves well by idolizing truly substative role models worth emulating; people in the sciences, entreprenuers, etc.
In the case of Lt. General Del Valle, well, if you've read some of the info about him on Wikipedia, I'm sure it gives you reason to smile with pride. What an accomplished life he lived!
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