Novo Sero Training Area, Bulgaria – “I have always looked up to my father, not only as a great father, but as a great man. Although he never told me to join the Army , his actions throughout my life influenced my decision to follow in his footsteps,” said the U.S. Army Sgt. Dima Velasquez Jr., a firefighter assigned to the 233rd Engineer Detachment (Fire Engine).
Velasquez Jr. is deployed with his father, Staff Sgt. Dima Velasquez Sr., Novo Cerro Training Area Fire Chief. This will be Velasquez Jr.’s first deployment since joining the Army, but his father is a veteran of multiple deployments. The California natives specialize in crash rescue operations in their home state and often work during state emergencies.
Velasquez Sr. said, “Being deployed as a father and son has its good and bad sides.However, the time and shared experience of getting through this together will bring us closer together.” ” he said.
Implementing them together presented both unique challenges and benefits. As father and son, the Velasquez family maintains a delicate balance between personal and professional dynamics, an experience that has tested and developed their relationship. The opportunity to work together created lasting memories.
“It’s unbelievable to be deployed with my dad,” Velasquez Jr. said. Most people say that no one cares about your career more than you, but my father wants nothing more than for me to be stronger, faster, and smarter. He pushes me to reach my full potential. There are tense moments, but we always support each other. Working together has deepened our relationship both personally and professionally. ”
The deployment is significant for Velasquez Sr., who transitioned to the National Guard after nearly five years on active duty. He reflected on the privilege of coaching his son through his early career while creating lifelong memories.
“It’s not stressful being deployed with my son,” Velazquez Sr. said. “It’s great to have a young soldier who is willing to learn. My job is to make him the best he can be.”
Velazquez Sr. takes command of the unit as chief, while his son, a novice firefighter, takes on more physically demanding duties. Despite these challenges, Velasquez Jr. is eager to learn and grow, something his father finds rewarding.
Velasquez Sr. said, “I support my son by being there for him whenever he needs me and pushing him to be a better person and soldier. “It helps me focus on what I want to do.”
For Velasquez Jr., the development was an eye-opening experience. As a new member of the firefighting team, he admits there were challenges keeping pace with his more experienced colleagues. But he values the opportunity to learn from the team. He appreciates Bulgaria’s unique firefighting environment, which comes with challenges such as language barriers and unfamiliar equipment. For Velasquez Jr., experiences like this deployment are part of the reason he chose to serve.
“I knew I was going to join the Army Guard,” Velasquez Jr. said. Being placed with him was incredible and taught me the importance of teamwork and understanding work roles. ”
The Novo Sero fire department is under the supervision of the US Army Black Sea Garrison. USAG Black Sea is the newest U.S. Army post, supporting V Corps by enhancing command and control capabilities and integrating base support to enable permanent, rotational, and expeditionary force readiness. . Firefighters play a critical role in installations across the garrison, ensuring the health and safety of thousands of soldiers.
Date taken: October 9, 2024 Posted: October 9, 2024 04:55 Story ID: 482796 Location: BG Web views: 6 Downloads: 0 Public domain
This work “Father and Son Firefighters Strengthen Bonds While Deployment” by SPC Alexcia Rupert, identified by DVIDS, is subject to the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
