The strength of our Nation has always been based on the incredible hard work of its people and on our diversity – a melting pot of ethnicities and nationalities seeking a better life with individual freedoms and a democratic government. Just like the early Spanish settlers, our Latinas today show strength, innovation and spirit.

It is an honor for me to contribute to this great magazine and to share my thoughts on service to our great Nation. The holiday season is upon us - it is a time for joy and happiness, and also a time for reflection and thankfulness. I want to thank LATINA Style for its work with the Hispanic community, and most importantly for its tremendous support for Latinas in the Military - a small but increasingly important part of our national defense.

I know this from personal experience as I watched my Puerto Rican mother struggle working two jobs. She was ridiculed as a “foreigner” as she and my dad with only high school educations raised 7 children. My mother never complained, or treated those mean spirited people with anything but the utmost respect. Her bravery and courage inspired me to be the strong willed and caring woman I am today. Her lack of education propelled me to seek out ways to become learned and lettered. It was my quest for learning and higher education that would present opportunities for me to earn a good living and contribute to our great country.

I did not know at the time I enlisted as a Private in 1975 to get the GI Bill, that I would still be here in the Army today – still learning – and writing to you as an Army general. Nowhere else in the world could this have been possible except for the United States of America.

The United States is a superpower and a beacon of light to the world because of the strength, innovation, and spirit of our diverse and dynamic workforce. From factory workers and scientists to teachers and entrepreneurs, Americans labor in a wide range of professions that are vital to protecting our founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Throughout our history, we have met every challenge, endured every hardship, and prevailed in every endeavor. It is the American way. We each have a duty to be both responsible citizens and conscientious stewards of freedom and democracy.

A vibrant and growing portion of our National fabric is the Latin population. This Latin force must be engaged in every aspect of this Nation’s power – economically, militarily and politically in order for our country to rebound from our current struggles. Our military men and women represent the unity and diversity we need as our Nation confronts urgent challenges at home and abroad. Women make up an increasingly large percentage of the Army – 13 percent of our active component, and as of July this year, there are over 32,000 Hispanic women serving in the US Military.

My duties have taken me all around the world and I can say unequivocally that this is the greatest Nation in the world. I am proud to serve it in uniform and very thankful that I live in a free society. You have all heard the phrase that “Freedom is not FREE”! This means that we ALL have a role to play in keeping this Nation great. We have an obligation, a duty to our neighbors and community to honor those that have gone before us, those that have suffered and given the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in defense of these freedoms. Be proud of who we are. Be thankful for what we have. Get involved to make this Country even better!