Hispanic Heritage Month on Ford

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Perez | Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) commanding officer, and Command Master Chief Bryan Davis, center, Ford’s command master chief, participate in a cake cutting ceremony with Ford Sailors as part of a Hispanic heritage celebration, Oct. 11, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Daniel Perez)  

UNITED STATES

10.10.2022

Courtesy Story

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)           

ATLANTIC OCEAN — The sounds of drums beat as Hispanic American Sailors aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) chanted a song during a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Each beat honored their culture, their story and upbringing.
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Julie Ramirez, from Los Angeles, assigned to Ford’s security department, recalls her morning routine growing up.
“Growing up in a Hispanic household is pretty crazy,” said Ramirez. “You have so many family members living in one household. Weekend mornings your mom is blasting Spanish music at 6 a.m. and that means everyone has to get up and help clean the house. The house is never quiet, everyone is loud, but that's just normal. Everyone is pretty close.”
According to Ramirez, being raised in such a household teaches young Hispanic-Americans to value the people around you and to take pride in your culture.
“Growing up in a Hispanic household, you are taught to be respectful of everyone, especially your elders,” said Ramirez. “Hold yourself with pride and dignity. Be great and continue to strive for success, even when you fail.”
Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Alejandra Gonzalezberio, from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, assigned to Ford’s administration department, said this type of ‘never give up attitude’ and upbringing fits perfectly with life out at sea.
“Growing up in Hispanic culture, we are taught to work hard and always give our best at anything we do,” says Gonzalezberio. “Same in the Navy, we work hard. We encourage others to do the same and support each other as family.”
Gonzalezberio explains that this sort of outlook in a workplace requires you to work as one team and has a positive impact.
“I bring that extra Sazon to my work center. I'm always teaching Spanish,” says Gonzalezberio. “I write the Spanish word of the day on the eraser board in the office. I motivate them to work hard and to treat each other as family.”
To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, Ford’s multicultural heritage committee held a celebration in the fo’c’sle where song, dance and food where shared among anyone who wanted to participate.
Ramirez said that Hispanic Heritage Month was a great way to bring people together and experience one of the many cultures that are represented here on the Ford.
“At the end of the day, I believe everyone works well together regardless of gender or race,” said Ramirez. “I think myself and others should make it a big event and try to bring more awareness to everyone.”
For more information about the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78 and DVIDS: www.dvids.net/CVN78 https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/cvn78.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2022
• Date Posted: 10.19.2022 13:01
• Story ID: 431634
• Location: US