EssayICS17VeleG

America is full of Hispanics, but why are Hispanics the largest minority in the United States? What impact do they have on American culture? What important services or things did they do to change American History? The Hispanic population is over 119 million within the United states and one of their major impacts in American society is in the Military; There are many Hispanic men and women who have served their country, but three of them stood out to me, such as Sergeant Rafael Peralta, Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, and Staff Sergeant Eric Alva. Sergeant Rafael Peralta was born in Mexico City, Mexico on April 7, 1979 and his death was November 15, 2004 at the age of 25. On the day of his death, Peralta was assigned to Company A, First Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment to clear houses in "Operation Phantom Fury", but was not assigned to enter the houses. Peralta disobeyed orders and went in anyways, doing so Peralta and his team entered and began clearing houses and when he and his team entered a house they were bombarded with shots from an Ak-47 and Peralta was shot severely in the process. He and his team were trapped in the house trying to fire back when one of the insurgents threw a hand grenade towards them and to save his fellow marines Peralta took the grenade and covered it with his body taking in most of the blast and the shrapnel which killed him instantly. He was then later awarded with the Navy Cross for heroism and bravery. The Navy Cross is one of the highest awards to acquire in the military. One of the other awards that he also received was the purple heart. There are also many other men and women with Hispanic background who have received this award and who have shown that they too can make a difference in American Society. (Hispanics in Marine Corps and Rafael Peralta Wiki) Another person who made a difference in American Society was Corporal Ramona M. Valdez. Valdez was born June 26, 1984 and her death was June 23, 2005 at the age of 20. The day that Valdez died Valdez was deployed to Iraq as a member of Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 23, 2005 Valdez was serving with the Female Search Force where she helped guard checkpoints and on that same day Valdez was heading back on her convoy when a suicide bomber in a car, crossed over the road and hit the convoy causing a huge explosion which killed her instantly and many of her other fellow marines. A couple of days later she was buried with full military honors and dedicated a II MEF Communications Training center in her name and there is a plaque hung on the wall with her name inscribed on it. Some of the awards and decorations she acquired was the purple heart, National Defense Service Medal, Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, and an Iraq Campaign Medal. Valdez is one of the many Hispanics in the military who made a difference in American Society. (Hispanics in Marine Corps and Valdez Wiki) One last person who also made a difference was Staff Sergeant Eric Alva who nearly died in the war zone of Iraq. While serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Iraq, Alva stepped on a land mine which exploded and Alva broke is arm and lost part of his right leg because the explosion damaged his leg so much that it had to be amputated. Although Alva was suffering it did not damage his spirit and he eventually accepted the "Heroes and Heritage Award" at the National Council of La Raza during a salute to the many Hispanic men and women who have served as well. Major General Christopher Cortez was also the presentation of the awards given to Alva and even said "Staff Sergeant Alva is a credit to the Corps. We are grateful for his faithful service and proud to honor him today." Sometimes people ask him about how he got the injuries and he started remembering what happened that day in Iraq recalling the events that completely changed his life forever, but overall, he over comes the many challenges that he has faced and what is yet to come. (Hispanic War Veterans) Hispanics have changed many things in American Society as the biggest minority. They have shown us their culture, the many foods that they eat, and the way they can overcome many challenges and can accomplish anything they desire such as Sergeant Rafael Peralta, Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, and Staff Sergeant Eric Alva. Hispanics aren’t much different than Americans, they are equal, and if they all work together they can do much greater things and overcome the many challenges that await us as we progress in life and society.
 * The Impact of Hispanics as the Largest Minority in the United States**

__Works Cited__ "Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps." // Wikipedia //. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Apr. 2017. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. < []>. "Hispanic war veteran honored." // Marine Corps Recruiting Command //. N.p., 23 July 2003. Web. 27 Apr. 2017. < [] >.
 * This helped me find information on the three veterans and their heroic story in the Marine Corps and the many others who have also served.
 * This source gave a story of a U.S. military veteran and the challenges that he faced after the accident.

"Rafael Peralta." // Wikipedia //. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr. 2017. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. < []>.
 * This helped give me more background on Peralta and his story to help me create this essay and to honor him.

"Ramona M. Valdez." // Wikipedia //. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Apr. 2017. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. < []>.
 * This helped give me more background on Valdez and her story to help me create this essay and to honor her.