Photo By Spc. Jonathan Vitale | Spc. Cristina Gomez poses for a portrait at Fort Bragg, N.C., August 17, 2022. She is...... read more read more
TUCSON, Ariz. — When life kicks you down, it is important to get back up. U.S. Army Spc. Cristina Gomez Medina, a 21-year-old Public Affairs Specialist assigned to the Security Force Assistance Command, and her family, has persevered to serve America.
Gomez immigrated from Mexico to the Tucson area when she was only five years old in search of better opportunities and education.
“We have never lived in the United States as a family. My parents have always lived in Mexico, I’m the only one who has lived in the United States because of my studies in Rio Rico,” Gomez said. “My uncles let me stay with them and supported me so I could study in this country.”
After the pandemic hit, Gomez’s parents both lost their jobs. Immediately, she knew she had to find a way to assist them.
“I joined the Army for the opportunity to go to college and to support my family. I was curious about the military,” Gomez added. “I was interested in the benefits and growth for both my family and me.”
Gomez’s grandfather had served in the Mexican marines, inspiring her to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps. Tannya, Gomez’s mother, was extremely supportive of her decision.
“When I was little, my parents would tell me about my grandfather who served in the Mexican Marines, ‘La Naval,’ and from there, I was curious to know more about the military,” Gomez stated. “I received lots of support from my family since the moment I spoke with them about the idea of joining the Army.”
Through Gomez joining the Army, her mother began the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen in 2021.
Tannya applied for citizenship through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services -- a process that can be expensive and take years to complete. Her process will be significantly cheaper and shorter thanks to Spc. Gomez's commitment to serve in the U.S. Army.
“Being in the Army helped us with the whole process in terms of time, economy, and documentation,” stated Gomez's mother, Tannya.
In the U.S. Military, there are more than 139,000 Hispanic Americans serving, and are the fastest growing segment in the Army, making up around 17% of the force.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity given to Cristina to belong to the Army, since this fulfills all expectations for her to embark on a bright and successful future in her career," Tannya noted.
“I feel proud to be one more member of my Hispanic-American community that is leaving a mark within the military,” Gomez said. “I am grateful for the opportunity it has given me to show all that I can do for my country and my family.”
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2022 12:33 |
| Story ID: | 432511 |
| Location: | TUCSON, ARIZONA, US |
| Hometown: | NOGALES, SONORA, MX |
| Hometown: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Hometown: | RIO RICO, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Gomez Medina family: A Hispanic-American’s story of perseverance, by SPC Jonathan Vitale, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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