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Saludos de parte de la tierra de arena y del sol.
 MSG Gordon deployed to Afghanistan with her K-9 partner Hanna waiting for a flight to the next mission. |
Remarkably, June seems like it is right around the corner and our unit will be home from a 12-month deployment. Sixteen years ago, when I walked out of the Army Recruiter’s station with my enlistment contract in hand, I would have never imagined that I would be serving in combat in Iraq. Compared to my home town, Fresno, California, Iraq is night and day. Fresno is in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, famous for growing takahashi strawberries and gangbangers. My dad es puro Mexicano (pure Mexican) and is the most truthful and hardest working man. Papi did all he could to provide for our family of seven. I became a statistic when I gave birth to my son at age 16 and then my daughter at age 19. Unfortunately, the events eventually led me into a very abusive marriage and then a move back home. Fresno has one of the highest numbers of Latina teenage pregnancies which leads to a high number of high school dropouts. My dad mentored that if I didn’t make a change in my lifestyle; my children would follow my example. As a mother, I wanted so much more for my children. In addition, I wanted my parents to be proud of me for I had let them down so many times already.
My youngest daughter is 9 years old. When I’m home, she is my shadow and my partner. Hence, it has been tough on both of us to be apart for such a long time. God Bless Julio, my husband, for he has had to learn to untangle her hair and dress it into a pony tail. Mr. Mom learned quickly the value of multi-task organization. Julio exemplifies in getting her to swimming and soccer practice on time with the right uniform. By necessity and through love, Julio became the mother and father with the special touch that only a mother can provide, a shoulder to cry on. My daughter uses it at night, when she misses me.
 MSG Gordon with her husband Julio and daughter Jaiden at the deployment ceremony for deployment to Iraq. June 16, 2009. |
 MSG Gordon and SFC Williams on top of Sadaam’s Palace in Baghdad. |
I knew within the first year of my enlistment that the Army was for me. There was so much respect for those that earned it. The future and promotion in rank is dependent on your ambitions and integrity. You can actually shape your future and shoot for promotion up the ranks. I loved the structured discipline and comradeship between brothers and sisters. I joined as a Military Police Officer and eventually got into the Military Working Dog Program (K-9) which is the best kept secret in the Army. My service to my country has taken me to Afghanistan, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Korea and Kwajalein. I am truly blessed for the freedom I have. Many people in these countries are at the mercy of others willing to assist and fight on their behalf. As we drive through the roads in Iraq, the poverty is overwhelming. It is as though some of the people merely survive as opposed to experiencing the value of life. The best part of my job is being a member of a greater team, being able to be a leader, and being able to mentor younger Soldiers. In this combat tour, I witness reconstruction efforts: bridges get fixed, pipelines fixed, schools get built, sewer systems emplaced. I’ve seen the government evolve from non-existent to an engaged provider. This makes the time I am here away from family worth it. The hardest part of being here is that some of the Soldiers don’t see the bigger picture; they don’t see or believe that they are making a difference. However, for us, our deployment to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq is only temporary but for the Iraqi people the impact is forever.
Every day I take great pride in the fact that I make my husband, children, mom, and dad proud. I’m proud that I pulled myself out from my past struggles to make a better life for my children; set the right example for my Soldiers; and established the character to lead. This leadership privilege will continue throughout my career. I am abundantly blessed to have a wonderful and understanding family. Their support molded me to what I am today a Patriot, a Soldier and a positive role model for my children and Hispanas. Most of all I am proud to be an American and to uphold the traditions and culture that has made our nation strong and valued based…So for this I will forever be grateful.
SAPPERS IN!!!!
Con Mucho Respeto
By MSG Erika A. Gordon, U.S. Army
130th Engineer Brigade
Mosul, Iraq
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