{"id":320248,"date":"2024-11-20T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=320248"},"modified":"2024-11-22T14:31:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T14:31:02","slug":"strength-and-sacrifice-sgt-leticia-mendozas-dual-role-as-soldier-and-caregiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=320248","title":{"rendered":"Strength and Sacrifice: Sgt. Leticia Mendoza\u2019s Dual Role as Soldier and Caregiver"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Sgt. Leticia Mendoza, a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, and her husband and a former Army sergeant, Carlos Mendoza, pose for a photo in San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 30, 2024. Leticia is the primary caregiver for Carlos, who transitioned to civilian life after 13 years of service as a financial management technician due to a medical condition. (U.S. Army photo by Joshua Taeckens)
\n (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, left, a Soldier with the Warrior Transition Unit, and Spc. Leticia Mendoza, human resource specialist assigned 101st Human Resource Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, lay in a hospital bed at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 4, 2014. Carlos was waiting for his second bone marrow transplant in hopes that his cancer would go into remission. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Courtesy)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas \u2014 The journey of a Soldier is as rewarding as it is challenging. For Sgt. Leticia Mendoza, it has also meant serving as a caregiver for her husband, Carlos, during his battles with multiple life-altering health issues and injuries.<\/p>\n

Mendoza, human resource noncommissioned officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, has faced these challenges with remarkable resilience. Resilience she credits to her upbringing and the support of her Army Family.<\/p>\n

Growing up in Porterville, Calif., Mendoza was surrounded by family values of duty and selfless service. As the youngest girl in a family of nine, she looked up to her older brothers, who served in the Marine Corps, as role models after their father passed away when she was only nine.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my dad passed away my brothers were like father figures to me,\u201d said Mendoza. \u201cEven now, when I talk to them, I just want to make them proud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mother\u2019s hard work and dedication to her children also shaped her character.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom was a beast; she still is,\u201d Mendoza shared, describing how her mother worked multiple jobs to support her children. \u201cEven at 72 years old, she was installing solar panels in open fields. My mom is a hard worker, and she never gave up on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

This example of resilience became a guiding force for Mendoza as she faced her own life challenges, especially while living in Germany.<\/p>\n

While working as an Army Civilian in Germany, she met Carlos, a newly enlisted Soldier. Though their personalities initially clashed, their relationship grew stronger through shared experiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t stand him at first,\u201d she laughed, recalling her initial impression. \u201cHe was this quiet, serious guy, and I\u2019m a bubbly, loud person. I\u2019d say hi, and he\u2019d just ignore me.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, their relationship blossomed unexpectedly and they got married in 2009, but it wasn\u2019t long before their bond began to face significant tests.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Left to right, Leticia Mendoza, Spc. Carlos Mendoza, financial management technicians with 106th Finance Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, and Valara Orr Mendoza, take a picture during Leticia and Carlos\u2019 wedding in Porterville, Calif., Sept. 11, 2009. The couple met in Germany and their relationship blossomed. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Spc. Carlos Mendoza, left, financial management technician with 106th Finance Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, poses with his stepdaughter and wife, Valara Orr Mendoza and Leticia Mendoza, before departing for a deployment to Kuwait in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Nov. 19, 2009. Carlos returned early from his deployment and was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As the newlyweds were getting settled into their new life, their world changed when Carlos was diagnosed with lymphoma while deployed to Kuwait.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe called me one day and told me he was coming home,\u201d Leticia recalled. \u201cI was so excited, but I was like, \u2018so is everybody coming home? What’s going on?\u2019 He goes, \u2018no, it’s just me. I’ll tell you when I get there.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Leticia recalled the shock when she met him at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t recognize him when he came home,\u201d Leticia recounted as tears welled in her eyes. \u201cWhen he left, he weighed about 190 pounds, but when I saw him again, he was down to about 145. I went to hug him, and I could feel his bones.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With the diagnosis, Carlos was reassigned to the newly formed Warrior Transition Unit, where he endured a grueling cycle of treatments and medical appointments.<\/p>\n

As a caregiver, Mendoza witnessed firsthand the toll that cancer took on her husband physically, mentally and emotionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was just a completely different person,\u201d she said, tears streaming down her face. \u201cHe\u2019d break down, saying, \u2018I feel like I\u2019m going crazy.\u2019 He couldn\u2019t control what he was feeling, and it hurt seeing him like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

As difficult as it was to watch her husband suffer, Mendoza remained a steadfast source of support. Her daughter, Valara, was also deeply affected and grew closer to her stepfather, becoming his \u201clittle bodyguard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Valara Orr Mendoza, the stepdaughter of Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, a Soldier with the Warrior Transition Unit, flushes his Hickman line in Clarksville, Tenn, Dec. 10, 2014. Although Carlos was the one who was diagnosed with cancer, their whole family went through the battle together. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cHe is her everything,\u201d Leticia said of her daughter. \u201cShe\u2019s like his protector. She won\u2019t let anyone say anything about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the challenges, Carlos fought to maintain a level of normalcy in his life while fighting to beat cancer and continue his military service.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still wanted to do things as a Family, so even when I was tired we would still go out and do things,\u201d said Carlos. \u201cMy goal was always to do 20 years, and I was still pretty active and in my mid 30s. So I wanted to go back to normal duty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Left to right, Spc. Leticia Mendoza, human resource specialist assigned 101st Human Resource Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, her daughter, Valara Orr Mendoza, and Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, a Soldier with the Warrior Transition Unit, enjoy a Family outing in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2014. The Mendozas went to a local hotel with indoor holiday decorations because Carlos was sensitive to temperature during his cancer treatment. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

After a year of various treatment, Carlos went into remission, reenlisted and prepared for his next assignment with his Family, but paperwork complications separated the couple when Carlos was sent to Korea.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s when I told him, \u2018I will always follow you and be with you because I love you, but I want to have a career of my own,\u2019\u201d Leticia recounted. \u201cWhile he was in Korea and I was in California, I went to the recruiter\u2019s office and joined.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Pfc. Leticia Mendoza, left, a human resource specialist assigned 101st Human Resource Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and her husband Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, financial management technician with 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, take a picture at Fort Campbell, Ky., March 2013. The couple reunited at Fort Campbell after spending a year apart as Carlos was stationed in Korea and Leticia completed basic combat training and advanced individual training. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Courtesy)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As fate would have it, Carlos and Leticia reunited and headed to Fort Campbell, Ky., where their lives would be upended yet again.<\/p>\n

While working on his vehicle, the hydraulic jack failed while Carlos was under the car. The truck fell on his head. The accident could have been fatal, but Carlos survived with the help of his friends, who managed to lift the truck off him.<\/p>\n

Leticia called Carlos to check in and he frantically told her that he was on the way to the emergency room and he thought he was going to die.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he was joking,\u201d Leticia recalled emotionally. \u201cBut then his friend took the phone and told me what had happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite his injuries, her husband\u2019s spirit remained unbroken, but during his recovery, they received devastating news \u2013 his cancer had returned and was much more aggressive than before.<\/p>\n

For more than four years of chemotherapy, surgeries, and treatments, Leticia and Valara stood by Carlos every step of the way, but they said it was their Army Family that allowed them to focus on recovery.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, second from left, financial management technician with 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and fellow Soldiers, take a picture together at the Team Mendoza Support BBQ at Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 15, 2014. Mendoza\u2019s fellow Soldiers came to the BBQ with their heads shaved in support of Mendoza\u2019s battle with cancer. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Courtesy)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Valara Orr Mendoza and her stepfather, Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, a Soldier with the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), pose for a photo during a bone marrow donor drive at Fort Campbell, Ky., Nov. 16, 2015. The WTU organized the donor drive to find a donor to help Carlos during his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

From friends helping get Valara to school during Carlos\u2019 long hospital stays, to the Warrior Transition Unit organizing donor drives, they always felt supported.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing in the Army, you’re not going to be around your immediate Family,\u201d Carlos stated. \u201cSo your fellow Soldiers, the people in your units, your neighbors, those people become your Family. My choice to serve in the Army saved my life, and I was fortunate enough to have [Leticia] by my side.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, left, Soldier with the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), and his wife, Spc. Leticia Mendoza, human resource specialist assigned 101st Human Resource Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, pose for a photo on Carlos\u2019 last day in the Army at Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 29, 2017. Carlos was medically retired from the Army during his battle with Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Strength
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 2<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Sgt. Carlos Mendoza, left, financial management technician with 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and Spc. Leticia Mendoza, right, human resource specialist assigned 101st Human Resource Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, attend the 101st Sustainment Brigade Holiday Ball at Oak Grove, Ky., November 21, 2014. This was the last ball they attended as a dual-military couple before Carlos medically retired from the Army during his battle with cancer. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Courtesy)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

After years of fighting, Carlos was medically retired from the Army in 2017.<\/p>\n

As Leticia reflected on her journey, she said she remains grounded by her unwavering commitment to both her military service and her loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard, but I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way,\u201d she said. \u201cMy family is my world, and being in the Army gives me the chance to take care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 Sgt. Leticia Mendoza, a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, and her husband and a former Army sergeant, Carlos Mendoza, pose for a photo in San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 30, 2024. Leticia is the primary caregiver for Carlos, who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":320250,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-320248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=320248"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":320262,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320248\/revisions\/320262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/320250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=320248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=320248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=320248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}