Immigrants can be real-life heroes
AS WE look back on Cinco de Mayo celebrations, many of us pause to reflect on our country’s immigration policies and ramifications for our country’s future. I myself am no advocate of our increasingly out-of-control, politically motivated policies, pushed upon we the taxpaying citizens by pitifully out-oftouch politicos on both sides of the aisle.
Well-controlled and regulated immigration policies to our United States of America have already and will continue to benefit our great and wonderful country. One needs only look at some great examples of immigrants coming here. Thus being a U. S. Navy 30-year veteran, I will refer to a case in point, bittersweet story of a young U. S. Marine fighter who heroically gave his life to save his fellow Marines in the Iraq battles.
Rafael Peralta was born in Mexico City to Rafael and Rosa Peralta and the oldest of four siblings, who emigrated to the United States. His father died in a workplace accident, leaving him as head of household.
After graduation from high school, he attended San Diego City College and served as crew leader in the Conservation Corps. He joined the Marines when he received his green card and became a U. S. citizen while serving. Peralta was a true patriot who had hung three items on his bedroom in his parent’s home: a copy of the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his boot camp graduation certificate; and before deploying to Iraq, he wrote his younger brother, “Be proud of me Bro ... and proud of being an American.” This proud American, son, brother, USMC sergeant and scout team leader would never see his mother, brother and sisters and fellow Marines again. Sgt. Peralta was killed when, after being wounded by enemy fire, (he) fell upon a hand grenade to save his fellow Marines from the blast.
For his heroic actions he was recommended for the Medal of Honor and instead posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Later the U. S. Navy named one of its new Destroyers in his honor.
Names of other Hispano heroes continue to appear in headline news, such as that of Colorado high school shooting hero Kendrick Castillo. ELMER MAESTAS Master Chief (retired), U.S. Navy Albuquerque