Thank a Veteran: Air Force Veteran finds strength from her time in service
The journey each service member makes during their time in service is different for each person. Each challenge or hardship comes with an opportunity to rise up and grow. This was true for Leandra Hernandez, who served in the air force from 2006 to 2012 as a photojournalist.
With a family history of service, having a father who served in the marines, Hernandez felt a change was needed.
“At a young age I knew that military service was the direction I wanted to take,” said Hernandez, who now works for West Texas VA Health Care System as a medical support assistant. “I completed a year of college and realized school wasn’t for me. I wanted to experience life and felt the best thing to do would be to join.
After finishing basic training and advanced training at the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, Md., Hernandez was stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan.
“That was an experience in itself just being in a different country at 18-yearsold,” said Hernandez. “It was my first time away from home.”
With less than a month’s notice, Hernandez
This month’s featured veteran is Leandra Hernandez. Thank you for your service. would deploy to Baghdad by herself. She would face a stressful environment, assigned to a job she hadn’t trained for.
“It was a totally different experience,” said Hernandez. “I had been trained to do
Courtesy image/KBest Media
"WHEREAS, the City of Big Spring, in recognition of the courage, honor, devotion and sacrifice of our service men and women, hereby establish the 15th day of every month as "Thank a Veteran Day", and this day shall forever stand as a day to honor those that have selflessly served each citizen
of this Great Nation."
The Big Spring Herald stands in support of all Veterans. The above is part of a proclamation presented by the Big Spring City Council in honor of everyone that has served our Country. Please take a moment today to thank
a Veteran. This proclamation was presented by Mayor Larry McLellan on behalf of the Big Spring City Council on Tuesday, April 10th, 2018.
God Bless our veterans!
If you know a veteran we should recognize, please send the information
to editor@bigspringherald.com.