Military & Veterans

MY UNCLE, MY WAR HERO

I’ve always wondered why war heroes are so greatly important in our modern society today. As I have grown up, I have learned and was welcomed by a prime example to have a response to those same inquiries, my uncle, Carmen S. Turchiarelli. Carmen was not born in the US, he stepped into American soil at age five. What puzzles me is the fact that he returned the call of offering himself as a draft pick without any hesitation, as a 19-year-old boy! He was barely a man at that age and certainly had much to lose being that he had the wealth of family by his side. It’s quite easy for the average human to be able to verbally commit and tell themself that they are devoted to achieving a matter so dangerous. To play the part of the character that willingly leaves their family, friends, and whatever milestones of their past in the environment that they once called home, it’s much more difficult than described. Behind that, I was most intrigued by the aspect that Carmen had no consideration for the idea of fighting for his new country of now 14 years; it was no trouble for him to have at least a moment to process the crucial offer, he dove right in headfirst even if it was not his birthplace.  After enlisting, he was hit with what one would call a bomb. He was informed of the possibility that he might have to face the Italian army. Carmen was not at all even the least fazed by the idea of going to war with his former countrymen.  He simply dismissed the possibility and proceeded forward into the battle of warfare. However, luckily, he did not have to confront that possibility. Instead, he was racked with his first introduction of combat experience, fighting against German soldiers in one of World War II’s significant battles — D-Day, the United States’ invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  As a 13-year-old student-athlete, I still, to this very day, cannot comprehend the sacrifices that my uncle made as a soldier. And for what reason? America was not his mother country, and he was not born or raised in the United States. Why would he be willing to possibly sacrifice his life? As his military experience intensified, along with training, and demonstrating bravery, he was sent to the battlefield in record time. He was a member of the 1st Infantry Division, formally known as the “Big Red One”, giving him a clear run of the use of the Bazooka, shooting down several German tanks in the “Battle of Hürtgen Forest”, a battle where many of our American boys lost their lives.   Men in his Division described him as a brave soldier, coming to the rescue and saving countless lives. This earned him the Silver Star. Later on, he was also awarded a Bronze Star for his continued bravery and service to this country.  It takes quite a buildup of skillfulness to take charge in the fearfulness of a battlefield, knowing that you can get killed, but the hero pushes on, moving forward, fighting for his adopted country, and protecting the lives of his men; coming home, with the memories of the servicemen that died, not coming back home, and not forgetting the lives one had to take on the other side. My uncle is my hero. I will do my best to keep his memory alive, to advocate on his behalf, reminding people of this American heroism, my uncle.  Note: The 1st Infantry Division’s nickname, the “Big Red One,” originated from the division’s insignia, a large red number “1” on a khaki field. This nickname was adopted during World War 1 when the 1st was the first American division to arrive in France. (Source: Internet: History on the Net, https://www.historyonthenet.com/1st-infantry-division). Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports THE SCHOOLS CONTRAST NIGHT AND DAY December 20, 2023/1 Comment As of this year of 2023, for 2 years of grade levels, I have attended quite an unhealthy student environment… Read More

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HERSTORY: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN IN THE MILITARY Part II

“Make sure we do not forget the Latina presence in the service of the United States of America.” Dr. Dolores Piñero: She was the first Puerto Rican woman doctor to serve in the Army under contract. Upon the outbreak of World War I, she applied for a contract surgeon position, only to be turned down. After writing a letter to the Army Surgeon General in Washington, D.C. explaining her intentions, she received a telegram ordering her to report to Camp Las Casas at Santurce, Puerto Rico. In October 1918, she signed her contract with the Army. Rosa González: A noted registered nurse who authored “The Nurses Medical Dictionary.” The Swine Flu had swept through Army camps killing more than 55,000 American troops. After the flu epidemic ended, Piñero was ordered back to the Army base hospital at San Juan, Puerto Rico. PFC Carmen García Rosado: In 2006, she authored and published a book titled Las WACS: Participacion de la Mujer Boricua en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (The WACs: Participation of Puerto Rican Women in the Second World War).  According to García Rosado, one of the principal hardships endured by Puerto Rican military women was racial discrimination, which is well documented in her book. Second Lieutenant Carmen Lozano Dumler: Born 1924 in San Juan, Puerto Rico; was one of the first women to become a United States Army officer. In 1945, Lozano Dumler was assigned to the 359th Station Hospital of Ft. Read, where she attended wounded soldiers who had returned from Normandy, France. Lieutenant Junior Grade Maria Rodriguez Denton: United States Navy, born June 14, 1909 in the town of Guanica, Puerto Rico, was the first woman who became an officer in the United States Navy as member of the WAVES. It was Lt. Denton who forwarded the news (through channels) to President Harry S. Truman that the war had ended. Marie Teresa Rios: Puerto Rican writer who also served in World War II. She served as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol. As a writer, she wrote for various newspapers and military publications. CWO3 Rose Franco:  Born on January 22, 1934 in Guánica, Puerto Rico; she was first Puerto Rican/Latina woman to become a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1965, Rose was named Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Henry Nitze, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Captain Linda Garcia Cubero: She was the first Latina graduate of the Air Force Academy in 1980. María V. Martínez: The first Puerto Rican woman promoted to Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army on December 1, 1998. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 September 17, 2021/No Comments SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 (Puerto Rico first partcipated at the Olympics Games in Read More SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO August 17, 2021/No Comments It has long been known that women have taken a historic back seat in all fields.  The  lack of exposure Read More BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO July 17, 2021/No Comments BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO The Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in Read More Load More End of Content.

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