Photo By Pfc. Haley Haile | The governor of Zacapa, Sandra Carolina Orellana, not only hosted a Mother’s Day...... read more read more
ZACAPA, Guatemala – Whether wearing beautiful dresses or the U.S. Army Combat Uniform, all were equally honored guests. Music was heard across the military post as guests danced among the dining facility tables decorated in pink, purple and white. Joy and friendship were palpable in the air. These women may not have been from the same country or speak the same language, but they did have one aspect in common. All were mothers.
The governor of Zacapa, the Organization of the Governor, and the Second Infantry Brigade of the National Army of Guatemala celebrated El Dia de la Madre, Mother’s Day, by inviting the mothers of Guatemalan soldiers, Guatemalan soldiers that are mothers, and United States Army mothers stationed at the Second Infantry Brigade during Beyond the Horizon 2014 – Guatemala May 9, 2014. Beyond the Horizon is a joint partnership between the United States and Central and South America and the Caribbean to provide medical, dental, and engineering assistance to the local communities.
The celebration of Mother’s Day in Central America is an important event that the citizens take seriously. Being a mother is viewed as the ultimate life-fulfilling position to the people of this culture. They view how the country takes care of its citizens as a mirror of how mothers take care of their children. With this hugely important role comes a hugely important celebration.
“We celebrate the mothers that work, the mothers that take care of you, and the mothers that do everything for you,” reflected 2nd specialist Sheylica Elizeth Monzón, a soldier with the Guatemalan civil affairs of the Second Infantry Brigade. “That’s why we celebrate here and all over the world.”
The Mother’s Day event is held at the base yearly. Some distinguished guests in attendance this year included the governor of Zacapa, Sandra Carolina Orellana, Second Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Alfredo Sosa Díaz, the governor’s mother, Bertita Cruz de Orellana, and sister, Yenia Orellana Cruz. Throughout the celebration there were presentations of flowers, games and prizes, catered food, music and dancing. The Guatemalans not only celebrated the mothers of their land, they celebrated the mothers of the United States as well. The women may have attended the festivities in uniform, but that did not stop them from becoming a part of the event.
“I was amazed at how seriously they took Mother’s Day,” expressed 1st Lt. Dori Mulder, the Task Force Oso Logistics Officer for Beyond the Horizon. “It was ideal and so perfect to be able to attend the event and feel the solidarity of being with other moms for Mother’s Day, even if I can’t go home and be with my family.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2014 22:55 |
| Story ID: | 130877 |
| Location: | ZACAPA, GT |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Celebrating Mother’s Day in Guatemala, by PFC Haley Haile, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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