MAYPORT, Fla. - Seaman Recruit Amaury Gonzalez Mercedes, a sailor from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Gonzalez Mercedes, a 2018 graduate of Dr. Agustrin Stahl High School, joined the Navy to succeed in life.
“All I want for my future is to be stable enough in life, so I can make life easier for my future family and mom and dad,” said Gonzalez Mercedes.
Today, Gonzalez Mercedes relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Puerto Rico to succeed in the military.
“From my hometown, I learned that life can often be hard but it depends on you to make the change,” said Gonzalez Mercedes. “You decide if you want to do the right thing or do wrong.”
These lessons have helped Gonzalez Mercedes while serving in the Navy.
Winston S. Churchill is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Winston S. Churchill. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Gonzalez Mercedes is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy,” said Gonzalez Mercedes.
Gonzalez Mercedes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“So far, my proudest accomplishment has been being able to drive the ship as a boatswain’s mate, but I know that this is just the beginning of my naval career,” said Gonzalez Mercedes.
As Gonzalez Mercedes and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is not just a job, it’s being a part of something bigger,” said Gonzalez Mercedes. “We all signed up to serve this Nation, and we are here to do the right thing whenever it is needed.”
Gonzalez Mercedes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I appreciate all the advice that my father, Marino Gonzalez, and mother, Francia Mercedes, have given to me in life,” said Gonzalez Mercedes. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be the same person.”
“This is the first time I’ve been a part of something so important, and I’m the first person from my family to serve in the military,” added Gonzalez Mercedes.
“The Navy is instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy,” said Gonzalez Mercedes.
Gonzalez Mercedes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“So far, my proudest accomplishment has been being able to drive the ship as a boatswain’s mate, but I know that this is just the beginning of my naval career,” said Gonzalez Mercedes.
As Gonzalez Mercedes and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is not just a job, it’s being a part of something bigger,” said Gonzalez Mercedes. “We all signed up to serve this Nation, and we are here to do the right thing whenever it is needed.”
Gonzalez Mercedes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I appreciate all the advice that my father, Marino Gonzalez, and mother, Francia Mercedes, have given to me in life,” said Gonzalez Mercedes. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be the same person.”
“This is the first time I’ve been a part of something so important, and I’m the first person from my family to serve in the military,” added Gonzalez Mercedes.