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UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Regardless of what drove them to service,
one benefit of having family in the military is the rare opportunity
that allows them to serve with one another in a deployed location.
It has been a major comfort to three California personnel
assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing together. The Morales
Talento brothers are deployed from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel
Island Air National Guard Station, Calif.
Tech. Sgt. Luis
Morales Talento is a supply specialist from the 386th Expeditionary
Maintenance Group. His little brothers, Senior Airman Walter Morales
Talento, maintenance operations center controller, and Airman 1st
Class Guido Morales Talento, a crew chief, both from the 386th
Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, have been close since
growing up in Oxnard, Calif.
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April 18, 2014 - (left to right) Tech. Sgt. Luis Morales Talento
is a supply specialist from the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance
Group. His little brothers, Senior Airman Walter Morales Talento,
maintenance operations center controller, and Airman 1st Class Guido
Morales Talento, a crew chief, both from the 386th Expeditionary
Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, have been close since growing up in
Oxnard, Calif. The Morales Talento brothers are deployed together
from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Island Air National Guard
Station, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Desiree W.
Moye)
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Luis and Walter immigrated with their parents to the
United States from Guatemala in 1992 when they were 8 and 4.
They believe that they are living out their late father's
dream of serving in the U.S. Air Force.
"I'm really
proud that we have fulfilled a lifelong dream our father had
for himself and for his boys," said Walter.
Raised in a household that was both humble
and authoritarian at times, their father was always
supportive of the military. They remember him taking them to
air shows each year, igniting a fire of patriotism in each
of them.
"Every time we saw an American flag, my dad
continuously reminded us and never failed to proclaim,
'That's your flag boys.' I did not connect the dots until I
joined the Air Force and understood the powerful meaning
behind the pride our flag solidified," shared Luis.
Many years after those memories, each brother decided to
serve their nation by enlisting in the military. Out of five
siblings, Luis, the oldest, stepped up and joined in 2004,
but never lost hope that Guido and Walter would follow suit.
Before Walter enlisted, he admired Luis' amazing
contributions for their state and for the nation. After
hearing so many positive stories about the military, he made
his decision.
"I just became inspired to follow in
his footsteps. I chose the ANG over active duty because it
allowed me to finish school, be able to live close to my
family, and more importantly, serve with both of my brothers
on the same base," Walter said.
Guido, the youngest
brother, required a bit more finessing before finally
'crossing into the blue' and enlisting. To help make his
decision, Walter and Luis voiced some unknown opportunities
that Guido couldn't find on a recruiter brochure; their
individual perspectives.
"After my first brother
joined, I was sad because he had never been away [from me].
I definitely have a strong sense of pride in my country, but
did not want to leave home. Essentially it was my oldest
brother Luis that recruited me by taking me to the base,
showing me around and showing me what I could accomplish,"
said Guido. "It further encouraged me to join when Walter
did."
Being able to talk about like-minded issues and
share similar comforts from home while in a deployed
location is perfect for growing resilient bonds. Though they
work different shifts, they make it a priority to check up
on one another as often as possible and participate in
activities around The Rock.
"I really feel blessed to
have both of them here with me during my first deployment
overseas. I love the fact that we hang out, enjoy meals
together, workout, and even joined the Base Honor Guard
together," said Walter.
Luis constantly reminds his
brothers of little things that can help them be the best
Airmen possible and Guido pushes them all to stay physically
motivated.
"I am proud to say that each of us has won
1st place in different events here around the base. We hope
to come in first place in the half marathon coming up later
this month," Walter stated.
One of the biggest
advantages of being deployed with family is taking care of
and looking out for each other. The same concept shadows the
Marauder Pride we all share on The Rock.
"We just
want to thank our unit back home who allowed us to deploy
together," the brothers stated. "It's an honor to serve our
country, our state of California and to be a part of this
rich Marauder tradition along with my brothers."
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Desiree W. Moye
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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