2011 Hays High graduate Celinda Peralez stands with her grandfather, Ricardo Hernandez, in front of the flag and his Viet Nam military decals he donated to Buda Drug Store. Peralez left this week for San Antonio and begins boot camp on Memorial Day. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON
Memorial Day will be very different this year for the Peralez family of Buda. Maybe a little scary for mom, Rebecca. Maybe a little mixed with pride for grandfather, Ricardo Hernandez.
And it will hold a little bit of both for 2011 Hays High graduate and former cheerleader, Celinda Peralez, as Memorial Day is her first day of bootcamp.
Celinda Peralez joins her grandfather in military duty, as she “shipped out” Tuesday morning, showing up at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. After the basics – the shots, meeting people, getting assigned to barracks – Celinda will pursue the start of her dream – becoming a nurse practitioner – by joining the Air Force Reserves and studying to be a medical technician. She said she wants to get her feet wet with the Reserves and plans to join the Air Force later.
Celinda first decided that she wanted to join the Air Force when she was in the seventh grade. She watched an air show and decided – “I want to be in the Air Force.”
When she graduated last year, her mother talked her into delaying for one year, attending college, and making sure that the Air Force was what she really wanted to do. After attending Austin Community College, Celinda decided to sign up.
Her grandfather, Ricardo Hernandez, is a Viet Nam veteran, having served from January 1969 through June 1970 in the 1st Infantry with the 1st Cavalry, spending his last 30 days in Cambodia. He received the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, among others.
Celinda said she is proud to be signing up for service. “Everyone should serve their country,” she said, adding that she knows “the sacrifice that people make for us every day, so that we can live this way.”
She says she isn’t scared of the physical nature of the military – as she has kept in shape by running and passing her lifeguard certification again recently, which entails swimming for a mile and a half.
“Honestly, the physical part doesn’t scare me,” she said. “It’s the yelling” that comes with bootcamp that she dreads. Her mother and grandfather smile, knowing her dilemma. Celinda will be gone for eight weeks to boot camp and will not return to Buda until mid-November.
“I will certainly miss my family,” she said.
Mom gently massages Celinda’s shoulder; grandfather Ricardo gives her a big hug. Their Celinda is one more person from the Buda-Kyle area making the sacrifice.
