Hometown Hero: David Hernandez A Life of Willing Service
By Tammy Thornton
For some people, serving is just a way of life. Our hometown hero, David Hernandez, has served in the United States Air Force since 2001. He is an ophthalmic technician and was recently an Air Force recruiter. Some of his duties have included humanitarian missions to underprivileged countries such as Bolivia, Thailand, and Belize, and Peru, where he served on teams to provide free medical attention to the poor. While stationed at the JBSA-Lackland base, he was in charge of 18 technicians in the Air Force’s largest ophthalmic clinic for five months during his supervisor’s deployment. He also directed the Air Education and Training Command’s First Term Airmen Center to orient 120 airmen to their first duty assignment.
Due to his work ethic, love of the Air Force, determination, and positive outlook, Hernandez has earned much recognition in his military career. In 2013, Hernandez was promoted under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program (STEP). According to the Air Force Medicine newsletter, “The number of men promoted under the STEP program is incredibly limited.” STEP promotions are a way for commanders to immediately promote enlisted members. Hernandez continues to receive honor and recognition and was recently promoted to Master Sergeant.
Msgt. Hernandez realizes that without the love and support of his family, this service would be much more difficult. Like most military families, Hernandez’s wife and children also sacrifice for this life of service. Though Hernandez was recently stationed in south Jersey, he was transferred to Fort Dix in June. Hernandez has been stationed in California, Japan, Texas, and New Jersey. Most assignments are for a period of 4 years. When he and his family came to live in Linwood, New Jersey, in 2014, his daughter, Destiny (DJ) was just starting middle school, his other daughter, Harmony, was beginning first grade. They settled, made friends, and became part of the community, knowing that in 4 years, they would need to uproot move and start all over again. As their older daughter graduated middle school right before the move, the reality of beginning a new high school with total strangers set in. Hernandez’s wife, Jennifer, has also sacrificed much for this military career. While her husband worked the long hours of a recruiter, Mrs. Hernandez, studied for and passed the boards to become a registered nurse. And by the time they were ready to move this past June, they were welcoming their newest addition to the family, another daughter, Trinity Aria.
Hernandez did not have an easy start in life. He was raised in Camden, New Jersey, and grew up in a rough neighborhood with high crime rates and drugs. Instead of choosing this lifestyle for himself, he rose above these obstacles and chose a better life. This proud father of three is seeing his children following in his footsteps. His daughter, DJ, now a freshman in high school, has recently joined the Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC).
We know that though the details and names change, this story is repeated over and over again by military families. Many branches of the service are represented in our shore and mainland towns as they pass through for a chapter of their lives. We are honored to know you, to become your friends, even as you know, it’s only for a time. We thank you and salute you.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
