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Face of Defense: Guatemala Native Lives Dream as U.S. Soldier

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 Some people are faced with challenges to reach whatever dream they seek. For Army Spc. Lisseth Ivonne Mayen Hernandez, this was no different.

Army Spc. Lisseth Ivonne Mayen Hernandez poses for a photo at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 25, 2016. She said she realized her life’s dream when she joined the Army Reserve on Dec. 20, 2014. Courtesy photo
Army Spc. Lisseth Ivonne Mayen Hernandez poses for a photo at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 25, 2016. She said she realized her life’s dream when she joined the Army Reserve on Dec. 20, 2014. Courtesy photo
Army Spc. Lisseth Ivonne Mayen Hernandez poses for a photo at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 25, 2016. She said she realized her life’s dream when she joined the Army Reserve on Dec. 20, 2014. Courtesy photo
Soldier
Army Spc. Lisseth Ivonne Mayen Hernandez poses for a photo at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 25, 2016. She said she realized her life’s dream when she joined the Army Reserve on Dec. 20, 2014. Courtesy photo
Photo By: Army
VIRIN: 160930-A-ZZ999-777

Mayen Hernandez was born and raised in Guatemala. At age 15 she moved to California with her family. Four years ago, she moved to Puerto Rico with her husband with her dream of joining the military still tucked in the back of her mind.

“When I was 17, I remember I told my mother I wanted join the military for the first time,” Mayen Hernandez said. “After graduating from high school, I tried joining, but couldn’t for many reasons. At that moment, I thought I was never going to be able to be part of the military.”

Mayen Hernandez has been married to Luis Francisco Ramos for almost eleven years and the couple parent two children; a 7-year-old son, and a 2-month-old daughter.

Pursuit of Life’s Dream

After many years, with her husband’s constant support, she pursued her longtime dream, once again.

“After many years, my husband encouraged me to pursue my old-time dream, that it was never too late to try,” Mayen Hernandez explained. “I followed my dream, and this time I was successful. I joined the Army Reserve with no regrets at all.”

Mayen Hernandez joined the U.S. Army Reserve on Dec. 20, 2014, and she currently serves with the 413th Financial Management Support Detachment here.

“I love being part of the Army, it’s just amazing,” she said. “I became a better person; a more disciplined, organized and focused individual than ever before.”

Mayen Hernandez said her hobby is quite delicious. “I enjoy baking cakes for my friends and family,” she said, “because I believe it is something really nice to do for your loved ones. It makes them happy therefore I am happy.”

Mayen Hernandez encourages anyone that has a dream of joining the military to pursue it.

“The military has so much space to grow and learn, that it will change your life for the better,” she said. “The values that you learn here in the Army, and the friends that you make, will be [for] forever.”

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