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At El Monte High School in El Monte, California, he and his
senior class took an aptitude test used by the military to measure
an individual’s strengths and weakness called the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery. Angel remembers scoring well enough to
get some attention from recruiters.
“They kept telling me
they wanted me to enlist and I told them ‘Yes, I definitely want
to,’” said Angel, remembering conversations on the phone. “But I
don’t have legal status.”
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April 15, 2017 - Airman 1st Class Jose Velazquez, U.S. Air Force
Honor Guard firing party member, stands in an Air Force ceremonial
uniform at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Velazquez
came to America from Mexico at a young age and dreamed of joining
the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Philip Bryant)
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Angel’s parents brought him to America from Veracruz, Mexico,
when he was five years old for a better life.
Growing up, his
father worked two or three jobs at a time to support the family.
“I know that my parents have struggled and worked like no one
else to give me and my little sister the life that they feel we
deserve,” Angel said.
It wouldn’t be until Angel was older
that he realized how him coming to this country would present an
obstacle to one day support a family of his own.
“I never
felt any different going through elementary and middle school,”
Angel said. “I knew I was born in Mexico, but I didn’t feel or think
I was any different from my peers. I didn’t come to realize that [I
was different] until I graduated from high school and learned I
couldn’t get a job because I didn’t have a social security number.”
Without a social security number, he knew college, a career and
his goal of joining the military were all on hold.
“It was
something I kept striving for and kept hoping for that eventually I
would be able to join [the military],” said Angel.
As he
continued to strive for his military dream, he also embarked on a
quest for love.
Angel met the love of his life Samantha
Rodriguez in 8th grade, dated on-and-off through high school then
got married years later at 22. He filed for U.S. residency and after
a four year waiting period, Angel’s green card arrived. Shortly
after he walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office.
A year
later, Angel stands in formation holding an M-14 rifle and as one of
seven Airmen in a coveted position amongst the U.S. Air Force Honor
Guard firing party.
Angel now holds the responsibility of
rendering final honors at Arlington National Cemetery for fallen
Airmen.
“It’s pretty incredible that I feel [the Honor Guard
has] made me more patriotic,” Angel said. “I’ve always been
patriotic, but I think it’s made me even more patriotic because you
see firsthand what has been sacrificed and what people have given
for our freedom.”
Looking out on the thousands of tombstones
that flow over the hills of the cemetery grounds, Angel and the
firing party stand motionless until performing a firing of three
volleys.
“I felt like joining the military was the only
proper way to prove that I wanted to be in this country and the only
way I could properly repay this country for every opportunity it has
opened up to me,” Angel said.
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April 20, 2017 - Jose Velazquez, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard firing
party member, holds his citizenship paperwork inside Ceremonial Hall
at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, District of Colombia. Velazquez
came to America with his parents at a young age and gained
citizenship after completing Air Force basic training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Philip Bryant)
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People close to the 27-year-old know how much being in
the military means to him.
“Whatever he puts his mind
to will get accomplished,” Samantha said. “That’s one thing
I admire about him.”
Testimony to his hard work and
perseverance is the same message he echoes to others.
“I would tell anyone in my position to keep their head
up and keep moving forward,” Angel said. “Don’t let anyone
hold you back and stay resilient.”
He graduated Air
Force basic training, achieving his goal of joining the
military and gaining citizenship, then became an Honor
Guardsman.
Proving that a kid born in Veracruz,
Mexico, and from southern California, with a dream of
serving this country can be a symbol of American patriotism.
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Philip Bryant
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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