My Story
I have been taking pictures since I was a kid with a 210 camera. looking back now wish I would have taken more during certain times of life. today I am grateful for the pictures I have taken and continue to take over the years.
The picture above comes from my 1st deployment which was landing in Somalia to help the people of Somalia get food becuase the warlords gangs were taking over everything in that country.
The picture represents many things for me, it was Christmas time, i learned about the press, NGO's and what are goverment does good and bad, to be honest it is a show.
I love my country, and would serve again even through the highs and lows it is my duty. my dad came from a 3rd world country makig me a son of an immigrant but my mom's family side has history detailing our relatives to a signature of the Declaration of Independence, to which I am very proud.
The thing I learned in Somalia was that kids need school, the kids had no schools sang in the streets no direction or discipline. One time 3 kids ran up to me handing me grenades. The split second decisions do I or wait they are smiling? you make a choice.
The press ruined are advantage not to say the government did not allow because they did. The press were all over the landing areas when we decided to land and start Operation Restore Hope. the press filmed recon and seals land, I was in the Helicopter a Ch-46 and looking out the porthole I saw flashes on the beach. I assumed right away the the beach was hot, enemy firing back at the row of Amtracks heading in from the ocean to the beach. I told Lcpl. reyes, "we're going in hot! I am following you lay that shit down because i can't return fire got to much mortar fear and radio gear.
We landed, and nothing it was the press, Somalia were on the ridge of the mountains watching us land. We even had three journalist with us in our helicopter. i later talked to the Amtrack guys and they said they almost lit up the beach with the mark 19 weapon, too bad they did not fire, the press would have learned not to be in the target area, that said, it was all a show!
with every up there will be a down.
Nothing is done alone, we are all connected. if you need help, ask for it!
find your heartbeat with nature
below is my picture book of climbing the mountain with altitude sickness and my Marines brothers helped me get down.
