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Association of Naval Services Officers

Association of Naval Services Officers

A 501c3 nonprofit supporting Latinos/Hispanics of all ranks in the U.S. Sea Services!

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Public Affairs Officer

June 2022 Message

Each person plays a role in groups, whether private or professional. These roles require constant adaptation and the use of a skill set – sometimes innate or learned from the environment – of which belonging and connection are a foundation. These roles, in many cases, become fundamental in the turn of historical events or in saving lives.

US Army Signals Intelligence Service cryptanalysts at Arlington Hall, Arlington, Virginia, United States, circa 1943. Source: WW2 Database

The role of Navy codebreakers during World War II, particularly in the Japanese naval force’s defeat during the Battle of Midway, was one of the most significant advantages for the allied forces. During the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the crucial win of the battle of Midway, the persistence, creativity, and hard work exercised by cryptanalysts to unlock the code used by the enemy forces in their radio communications continues to be recognized. The hard-working team worked out of a basement and dedicated long hours to this endeavor. Their role was pivotal to winning the war in the Pacific corridor.

Juneteenth celebrates the delivery of the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to the approximately 250,000 remaining slaves in Texas. This event took place nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln had released the proclamation nationwide and a few months after the end of the Civil War. What had been a local observance became a national holiday last year. One of the most remarkable aspects of this observance is the role played by U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger. Gen. Granger, who fought alongside Admiral David Glasgow Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay, issued General Order 3 to deliver the news about freedom to all slaves in the American Union. Gen. Granger became the instrument to share this transcendental news of hope and freedom.

General Order No. 3, issued by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, June 19, 1865. (Source: National Archives)

As we consider the roles of those who changed history, a question transpires about the role we play in groups as agents of connection and clear communication. How do we recognize that role? How intentional are we in understanding our place in these organizations? How do we know when a role is or could be of major impact?

One role available to all our ANSO leaders/members may be to share the most recent change to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Starting 16 July 2022, anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress can get assistance 24/7 by dialing 988 from any phone in the United States. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides information about resources available in the area. Services are confidential and free of charge. The change will not impact access to Veterans Crisis Line, which will still be available to Veterans and their loved ones. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is exploring the best way to get the word out to Veterans, service members, and their families about the 988 activation. To learn more about how 988 will affect the Veterans Crisis Line, click here. We can all play a role in suicide prevention, let’s get the word out.

July 9, 2022

Happy 4th of July 2022!!

As we celebrate and thank this country for all the blessings it provides, and salute her on her 246th birthday, we reflect on our origin stories and appreciate each other. Just like our forefathers, some of our members started their journey in foreign lands, while others were first in their family to be born in this great nation. Regardless of our origins, we are a family proud and honored to serve, or to have served, the United States in uniform. Today and every holiday, we should take the opportunity to get together with our service brothers and sisters to celebrate the different paths that brought us together. The quality time together off-duty helps to strengthen bonds that help us through good times and bad, and inviting friends for get-togethers is part of our American DNA. Enjoy your BBQs, stay safe, and take care of each other.

Happy 4th of July!!

Visit History.com for more about Independence Day.

July 4, 2022

Congratulations, Maj Orozco!

Congratulations to ANSO member, Major Ryan Orozco (USMC), on his retirement. Major Orozco held his retirement ceremony on 22 April 2022 at Cherry Point, NC, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Our ANSO Marine Service Representative, LtCol Jose Montalvan (USMC), presided as his retiring officer.

Thank you Major Orozco for the over 20 yrs of honorable and faithful service to our nation. Fair winds and following seas.

Adelante con ANSO!!

Major Orozco Retirement Ceremony, Cherry Point, NC 22 April 2022
LtCol Montalvan pins on award medal during Major Orozco’s Retirement Ceremony, Cherry Point, NC 22 April 2022
June 16, 2022

May 2022 Message

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13 ESV).

Many who join the naval services believe in the intrinsic value of this statement. Sacrificing with honor is an ideal that provides a grounding, empowers the will, and gives meaning and purpose to those who wear the uniform and vow to protect and defend the Constitution. Reminding ourselves of this oath is a daily exercise that renews our commitment to the mission.

Military Spouses and Military Appreciation Days formalize the type of reminders described above. These observances highlight the generous contributions and meaningful sacrifices of military spouses and service members. Military spouses are clear examples of resilience, adaptability, and flexibility as they navigate the challenges of military life. As I write, my possible orders have changed three times, and with an expected move to take place in a few months, my spouse continues to embrace the challenges with a sense of calm, trust, and patience. Military spouses enable service members to live the values attached to the oath with confidence and a new perspective every day.

Memorial Day offered another opportunity to consider military values. Memorializing the honorable sacrifice of our fallen service members, recognizing their courage, and connecting with their legacies are some of the ways to keep them alive and maintain the mission still relevant. As the history of this observance began with the decoration of gravesites with flowers, flags, and other memorabilia, one of the most impactful messages about the occasion came from James A. Garfield in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. Garfield said, “We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens.” Garfield, a Union General, a Congressman, and the 20th president of the United States, emphasized in his tribute the contribution made through their sacrifice, “For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

Celebration of the fifth Decoration Day at Arlington Cemetery, May 30, 1873

Sacrifice and oaths have a special place among Latinos when considering the concept of familism (familismo). “Familismo, a Latino cultural value, refers to the importance of strong family loyalty, closeness, and getting along with and contributing to the wellbeing of the nuclear family, extended family, and kingship networks” (Ayon, Marsiglia, & Bermudez-Parsai, 2010). Close family ties require a commitment to the family in which emotional or physical sacrifices are expected. The narratives of those who first immigrated to the United States among Latino families exemplify the value of sacrifice in this context (…es por la familia!). Many scholars argue how familismo may be the key to recruiting more Latinos into military service.

Irma and Jose Garcia

The stunning news of another mass shooting in an elementary school was the background to see love in action by paying the ultimate sacrifice. Irma Garcia, one of the adults killed in this shooting and one of the teachers in a targeted classroom, understood it was too late for other measures and sheltered her students while getting shot multiple times. Mrs. Garcia, the mother of Pfc. Cristian Garcia, a Marine Corps Reservist, was proud of her son and his choice to join the Corps. She was married to the love of her life, and together they raised four children. Jose Garcia, her husband, died a couple of days later from a heart attack, which family members attribute to a broken heart.

Pfc. Cristian Garcia with parents, Irma and Jose Garcia (Source: BurnPits360 Facebook Page)

The meaning of sacrifice may be an antithesis for many, but not for most Latinos. Honorable military service translates into a generous gift of self for the good of others. Every time a young woman or man raises a hand to pledge the oath of enlistment or commissioning, the decision is clearly expressed for all to hear, “I, (state your name) do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic… So help me God.”

Ayon, C., Marsiglia, F. F., & Bermudez-Parsai, M. (2010). Latino Family Mental Health: Exploring the Role of Discrimination and Familismo. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(6), 742-756.

June 8, 2022

Memorial Day 2022

ANSO Familia,   Memorial Day is a special time to honor, reflect, and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Today, as we gather with family and friends, let us also take some time to remember the fallen, and honor their service. Service is demanding, and many of us get to eventually return home and start new lives. The many who gave their lives so we could continue to enjoy freedom and democracy should never be forgotten.

Today, we remember them, and we honor them for their service and sacrifice.

May 30, 2022

April 2022 Message

April was a significant month for the ANSO familia. Our Atlantic Region Symposium (ARS) welcomed leaders, members, partners, volunteers, and participants from our naval forces to experience the power of connection, an intrinsic value among Latinos. Identifying with the stories shared, exchanging business cards, and establishing new mentoring relationships were just a few expressions of connectedness in action. The ARS was a celebration of connected leadership, assuring maritime superiority as a constant endeavor.

We build connectedness as we open spaces that foster belongingness, trust, and mutual respect. As we carefully and purposely cultivate these spaces, relationships become more meaningful, interdependence grows, and personal value intensifies. Connectedness creates environments for leadership to flourish and renew itself.

My first lessons in connectedness came from my mother. She had the gift to build connections almost anywhere she went. People knew about Doña Blanca, her humanitarian spirit, and compassionate care. Since my role was to be her companion, I had the privilege of seeing her build relationships with people at all levels with humility and confidence. Through those interactions, she conveyed a message of dependability and reliance. People knew they could trust her and call on her whenever there was a need in the community. She was generous with her time, talents, and limited resources.

The experience of connectedness reemerged as we received the invitation to remember and say “never again” at the end of April. Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, was an opportunity to stop and consider the systematic murder of Jews and other minorities by the Nazi regime during World War II. In a spirit of connectedness, we had the opportunity to grieve the loss of human lives during one of the most challenging times in recorded history and renew our commitment to uphold and defend human rights.

As we consider the value of connectedness, from the individual to the communal, from our ANSO chapters to the entire organization, let us recognize its relevance personally and professionally, as well as the value of connectedness in the full range of the human experience, from the times of joyful celebration to the grief that energizes change and transformation.

May 11, 2022

March 2022 Message

In March of 2020, our typical world drastically changed. Streets were almost empty, traffic jams got reduced as workers and students stayed home, and even a roll of toilet paper along with cleaning supplies turned into gold. The reality of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) intrusively took hold of our existence as a world pandemic (as declared by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020) and a national emergency (13 March 2020).  With COVID-19 came a wave of severe medical symptoms, the need for triaging patients who might receive further treatment, and ethical/moral decisions that stretched healthcare workers to the max. Uncertainty, fear, doubt, anger, and polarization abounded. Confirmed cases and deaths increased daily, and every new variant left us wondering about the future. At times, it seemed endless, with no practical resolution on sight.

To all these experiences, we add the challenges to mental health connected to isolation, social distancing, and masking. The experience of being away from our families during meaningful times and celebrations affected our core beliefs. Some experienced financial struggles as income declined, small businesses closed, and jobs changed value. A reidentification of spiritual toughness and connectedness became an implicit requirement to reengage with life. Creativity and intentionality turned out as the highest commodities to adaptation and resilient living.

As we come to this point in the “new normal” journey, take time to stop, go over the experiences lived through these two years of the pandemic, be thankful, and identify lessons learned about self, significant relationships, and values. We have grown in multiple areas and through challenging environments.

 Above all, we have kept our hope alive.

April 12, 2022

ANSO 2022 Atlantic Region Symposium Registration Open

Registration is open for our 2022 Atlantic Region Symposium, which will be held 12 to 14 April 2022 onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. A virtual option will also be available.

This year’s theme is ”Leadership Excellence: Assuring Maritime Superiority.” We have an impressive line up of speakers and all all are invited to participate.

The event is open to ANSO members and sponsored participants. Military services are sponsoring a number of spots which include a one year membership. Details on how to obtain a sponsorship can be found in the service specific messages posted in our event page.

Full details and the agenda can be found on our event page.

April 4, 2022

February 2022 Message

My Colombian ancestors come from multiple shapes and colors. My father’s hair, skin, and facial features are those of a mulatto. His curly hair grew like an afro. My mother used to take care of haircuts every time. With no formal training, she knew how to make it work. The pictures of my great-grandmother reaffirm the fact that there is a large amount of Black in my family. The Afro-Latin blood is part of my heritage, even if the pigmentation of my skin doesn’t explicitly show it.

As we celebrate the contributions of Blacks to the sociocultural, political, scientific, and economic framework of America in the month of February, it’s also time to talk about the Afro-Latinos who have been a part of this process. The conversation about Afro-Latinos has been ongoing for years. One example comes from Roberto Angleró, a Puerto Rican artist. Satire and art aligned in 1979 with Angleró’s song “Si Dios fuera negro.” Recent years have brought a resurge in the multiracial dialogue in many countries in Latin America. These continue to raise awareness of the discrimination towards Blacks in such environments. There are still a lot of covert patterns of discrimination to address. The future of these conversations is promising.

While only 25% of Hispanics in the United States identify as Afro-Latinos according to a Pew Center report, Afro-Latino: A deeply rooted identity among U.S. Hispanics by Gustavo Lopez and Ana Gonzalez-Barrera, many of them live the experience of intersectionality as a byproduct of race and ethnicity in the shadows, buried in a limbo of disconnection. What are their family roots? Where do they belong? Still, through all these questions and experiences, many Afro-Latinos have shown resilience, overcame obstacles, and left a legacy that continues to transcend today.

Afro-Latinos like astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, historian Arturo Schomburg (founder of what is known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture), actress and dancer Sylvia del Villard, and television news anchor Gwen Ifill have been remarkable examples of the power of resilience and active engagement. Artists like Celia Cruz, “Machito” (born Frank Grillo), Mario Bauza, and Johnny Pacheco, among others, challenged the status quo and pushed the boundaries in the world of entertainment. In sports, some of the most significant examples of Afro-Latinos come from the world of baseball. Players like Estevan Bellan, Rafael Almeida, and Armando Marsans opened the door for waves of Afro-Latinos to make a difference on the diamond. These names only scratch the surface. There are many others we honor and emulate. 

Armando Marsans
Arturo Schomburg
Celia Cruz
Johnny Pacheco
Estevan Bellan
Gwen Ifill
Julia de Burgos
Mario Bauza
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Machito
Rafael Almeida
Sylvia del Villard

Considering my Afro-Latino heritage, Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos makes several strong points through the verses of “Ay, ay, ay de la Grifa Negra.” The lines and a reading of such a strong poem are available below. De Burgos masterfully carves the messages of resilience, identity, and strength.  

Be proud of our Afro-Latino heritage!

Ay-ay-ay-de-la-Grifa-Negra-Translated-2Download
March 8, 2022

January 2022 Message

Some people use the New Year to establish new goals, reset old ones, or identify a new vision for the future. Resolutions give us the chance to renew our vision boards and relaunch SMART personal and professional goals. This process is best accomplished when we keep these goals alive and new throughout the year. 

Most of those who established any resolutions tend to forget them within weeks. Those who still remember them may find they are no longer applicable or relevant. Still, beginning with the end in mind is a practical way to prioritize our daily activities with a common goal. 

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. is a prime example of this kind of living. His vision of a new society is sometimes reduced to the “I Have a Dream” speech. However, his message goes well beyond that. Dr. King challenged systemic racism, poverty, and war. He brought his words and teachings to action. Participating in marches, mobilizing teams, and engaging in significant conversations with leaders, Dr. King acted and taught us the way of non-violence and perseverance to build justice at all levels in society. 

As we consider this year in the light of Dr. King’s example, I invite you to activate your vision and get engaged. For the last six years, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) followed that path and established the National Day of Racial Healing. The Tuesday after the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, people from all walks of life gather to witness the vision of racial healing becoming real in individuals, groups, and communities around our country. Dr. King’s actual vision and celebration inspire many others to build healing in local communities here and now. 

Each of us, part of the ANSO familia, has the chance to join the march for racial healing. One way to do so is by getting involved in the mentoring opportunities available through The Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA). January is National Mentoring Month. HISPA continues to open spaces for Hispanic professionals to be role models to youth around the nation. Our ANSO president, CAPT Roy Love, received the INSPIRE award, Champion of the Year, for all the outstanding support to the organization. Join these efforts and inspire others by sharing your story. 

Detroit poet Reyes performed side by side with John Legend with a rendition of Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Felt To Be Free” and shared one of his transformational poems. Take a few minutes and remember this is #HowWeHeal.

 

January 30, 2022
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ANSO Partner Organizations

American Latino Veterans Association
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