Happy Memorial Day: Latinos Proudly Contribute to Principles of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

American Hispanics have a proud history of serving in the US Military. Over 500,000 Hispanic soldiers served in World War II, and nearly 50 Latinos have won our nation’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor. More than 60,000 Hispanics were on active duty in 2003 and another two million are veterans of the U.S. military. Many have also been honored with American citizenship as a result of their military service; more than 30,000 immigrants who have served in the military have become U.S. citizens through a special wartime military naturalization statute.
In Iraq, Hispanics have a death risk about 20 percent higher than non-Hispanics.
Latinos make up 10 percent of the actively enlisted military forces. They are over-represented in the categories that get the most dangerous assignments -- infantry, gun crews and seamanship -- and make up over 20 percent of the front lines.
Millions of Hispanics have a Proud Tradition of Service in the U.S. Military, and thousands today are fighting on behalf of this nation, regardless of their citizenship status. Their bravery and sacrifice, along with that of their fellow soldiers, should be recognized and honored.