This week in Fence Post we are recognizing several of our FSA veterans. We say thank you to all of our veterans for your service to this country.
Lisette Aveiro is a Human Resources Administrative Technician
Joining the U.S. Army can really change your life. That’s exactly what happened to me when I decided that I wanted to do something different with my life. I wanted to seek other opportunities and new adventures. After I graduated in 1993 from the University of The Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico, I worked in the hotel business for two years. After speaking to customers everyday from all over the world, I imagined how nice it would be to travel and experience new places and meet new people. But who has the money for that, I thought. It would take me years to save up enough money and working at the hotel didn’t provide me the money I needed. So I thought — the military!
When I told my friends and family that I had joined the military, they were totally surprised. My mother literally cried and screamed, “No!” I’m an only child and coming from a Hispanic background I knew this would be difficult for my family. We tend to be a little protective of our children. After much convincing, my mother gave me her blessings and off I went to basic training in Ft. Jackson, S.C.
The first night I cried and wondered if my mother knew best. But soon after, I began to think how brave I was to take this first step to becoming more independent. I never felt more proud to be a soldier and to serve my country.
My first duty station was in Germany at Rhein Main and Kaiserslautern, then Vicenza, Italy. I served seven of my five years overseas — a dream come true to travel overseas to different countries and meet people from all over the world. I loved the military, especially when I met my wonderful husband who was also in the military. Since both of us were on active duty and had three children, it became difficult keeping our family together and I had seriously considered getting out. I decided to join the Chaplaincy Program and I was fortunate enough to be selected to become a Chaplain candidate. I was no longer an enlisted soldier. I became an officer; my rank changed from sergeant to 1st lieutenant.
I’m so proud to have served my country, but most of all I’m proud of all of the soldiers that serve and continue to serve, like my husband who is currently serving in Iraq. Hoahhh! Always “pro deo a patria!” Blessings!
