More and more Hispanics now serve in the United States Armed Forces. According to a study published by Acceso USA, at least 16% of the active military in the country are of Latin origin.
For many of them, the opportunity to be in service not only represents fulfilling a dream but often also allows them to thank the United States for having welcomed them and open the doors to the so-called “American dream.” This is the case of David Mantilla and Leonardo Medina, two Venezuelans who have served in the United States Navy.
Although neither of them was born in the United States, both assured that they enlisted to defend, with pride, the land that opened its doors to them and has allowed them to conquer their dreams. They describe this country as a land of possibilities and freedom.
“It is out of gratitude for all the opportunities that this country has given me, which unfortunately I did not have in mine. To feel pride when defending the United States, I learned from the Americans themselves who are very patriotic and defend their flag. That is to be admired. But above all, I did it because I am grateful to this nation,” said David Mantilla, a Marine gunnery sergeant, in a conversation with Voz media.
David Mantilla grew up in Caracas, between two popular areas: Los Magallanes de Catia and San José. That time, he said, was a beautiful moment in his life. However, when he graduated from high school he decided to emigrate in search of a better future and with the intention of fulfilling his dreams.
Little by little he worked and now belongs to the US Armed Forces, and thanks to his perseverance he has made his dreams come true. However, getting there has not been easy. Mantilla went through difficulties he says, like any migrant, but that did not intimidate him. He recognizes that he lived the same as many of his compatriots.
“I started working in construction; I also worked washing dishes, parking vehicles (valet parking), fixing pools, shoveling snow. I had to do a lot of work. I reached a point where I practically saw no improvement, I felt stuck in what I was doing, and my idea was to find a way to improve professionally to also help my family, who was in Venezuela. I felt stuck doing what I did; I saw no future or progress. I also wanted to study and couldn't. It was at that moment that I began to decide to take a military career as a path,” Mantilla explained.
View this post on Instagram
As a member of the Armed Forces, he has had to represent the United States in other countries, such as when he was part of the mission in Afghanistan. From that experience, Mantilla points out that he felt proud to represent the Americans.
The hardest thing is being away from family. Sometimes we do training sessions in which we cannot have our family nearby and we spend months training and many times we are in countries where we cannot have them. I think that's the most difficult thing.
What he is most grateful for is that this country has given him the tools to achieve his goals. Therefore, he wants to inspire other young people to continue with their goals. Yes, preparation is something that he believes should be fundamental in anything that people do.
“My advice to young Hispanics who want to be part of the Navy is to focus on their dream and what they want to achieve. Let them focus on the requirements they ask for and if someone tells them not to do it and they think they can't get in, let them continue believing in themselves and prepare for them to achieve their goal. I believe that preparation is essential for any development, whether military or personal,” Mantilla highlighted.
And there is no doubt: the United States is the country where dreams come true. “In the United States dreams can come true. Not only being in the Navy, I know many people who, without being military, have achieved many things in this country. Thank God this country gives one the possibilities and the tools to get ahead and it is a matter of using them in the best possible way,” said the Venezuelan-American sergeant.
Similar is the story of his compatriot, Navy veteran and current Texas Police officer Leonardo Medina. He emigrated to the United States in search of opportunities and he succeeded. Not only was he in the Middle East representing the Americans militarily, but he also managed to make his career in International Economics.
He recognizes that it has been a path full of learning. Remember that June 26, 2011 when he entered the Navy was a day full of emotions. Firstly, the desire to get ahead and fulfill your dream and secondly, the fear of facing something unknown without yet having citizenship or speaking perfect English. But that did not stop him and today, 12 years later, he has achieved his goals.
He is grateful because his instructors in the Navy They taught him the value of discipline and also encouraged him to read in order to perfect his English. Being in the war also remembers the fear he felt, but he says that in one way or another it helped him stay alert to possible attacks.
“I am very grateful for everything that the United States has given me and also for my family. You have to know that this land is not yours and at the same time you have to be willing to make some kind of sacrifice to achieve that American dream,” said Medina.
He is currently a police officer in Texas and rightly says that that state is where he achieved his American dream. He assured that in California, where he lived before, the situation has changed due to the left-wing policies that have been implemented. For this reason, he also warns of the current situation in the United States, in his opinion, the system has been degrading.
“I'm talking about how the Democrats in power right now are practically using the FBI and the Department of Justice to try to go after their political opponents. I'm talking about within the military ranks, they are trying to see if they can control what you say and feel outside of uniform. In other words, you cannot have any type of opinion that is not progressive,” explained the veteran.
Despite this, he continues to believe that this is the land of the free. For this reason, he asks young Hispanics not to give up on their dreams, but - yes - he is emphatic that to get what they want, there must be sacrifices.
“I say that everything on this earth is a sacrifice. You can't come here thinking that things are going to be easy for you. Sometimes God has different ways of speaking to you, so don't give up. And that is the American dream. My American dream wasn't in California, it was in Texas. You have to be aware and have the adaptability to move to where you need to pursue that dream. You have to look for the opportunity and when that opportunity comes and you have it, you have to be grateful for everything you have, everything they give you and everything you receive,” said Medina.
“There are many Venezuelans who are in New York right now and they are leaving us very badly. What I'm saying is that we have to be grateful for the few things we have and when we really receive our American dream, which I found here in Texas but yours can be in Florida or wherever it is, say thank you to God." Medina added.
David Mantilla and Leonardo Medina are just a small sample of the millions of stories of Hispanics who are fighting to honestly fulfill their American dream. There are more than 60 million Hispanics in different areas working to achieve their goals with what their countries do not allow them: freedom. Of course, always thanking, with pride, the United States.
From those who sweep to those who have high positions in companies, the majority of Hispanics always give 100% to leave not only their country high but also the flag of the United States high. They are those Hispanics who come to do good things in this country.
