InMaricopa.com runs, on a regular basis, opinion pieces submitted by community members. The following article is the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of InMaricopa.com.
On Oct. 1 Mark Lippert, chief of staff to the National Security Council, announced that he will return to active duty in the Navy SEALs. Lippert, 36, felt that this is his call to duty. I do not know much about Lippert or what his political views are, but what I do know is that this man has given up a high-ranking/high-paying job to return to military active duty.
The term “call to duty” often refers to those who serve in the military, police officers, firefighters and those who have taken an oath to serve the citizens of the United States. Every person has their own personal “call to duty” that inspires them to achieve goals they have set for themselves.
There are many who may think that Lippert is crazy for leaving a good paying job to return to active duty. This also brings back memories of prominent pro-football player Pat Tillman, who was killed in combat while fulfilling his call to duty. I do not think that Lippert nor Tillman were crazy for giving up their time and, in Tillman’s case, the ultimate sacrifice (his life) to fulfill their personal “call to duty.”
When my sister graduated from college with a degree in mathematics, she decided to become a teacher. At the time, I did think that it was crazy of her to give up a higher paying job just so she can teach. She was passionate about teaching and saw this career as her personal call to duty.
Upon graduating from high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force. The military taught me true patriotism and the importance of giving back to our community. While I was stationed in Maryland, I volunteered for the Maryland Special Olympics and also for an ROTC program at a boy’s prison. The young men at this institution were between 16 and 19 years of age and most were illiterate. The primary goal of the ROTC was to teach these boys how to read. Since I was the only woman in the group, I recall having a guard assigned that stood directly behind me at all times. This volunteer experience was very difficult and, at the same time, extremely rewarding.
Through the years I have done my part and answered my personal call to duty by volunteering and contributing my time to my community. For several years my sister and I were Girl Scout leaders for a group of special girls. Our troop consisted of all Latinas, a wheelchair bound quadriplegic, a young girl with mental retardation, and most of the girls came from low-income Spanish-speaking households.
My personal call to duty has now geared me to pursue a seat for the Maricopa City Council. At Maricopa’s Founders Day I had a booth for my campaign, and I was very impressed by the support and input I received from many Maricopa residents. For those who do not know me, allow me to give you a brief overview of who I am. I’m a veteran of the U.S. Air Force; I have been married for over 20 years, and I’m the proud mother of three great kids. I have been an active Maricopa resident and volunteer. I’m a registered Democrat and my husband, Kevin Gusse, is a Republican. My parents, two brothers, my children and I are Catholic; my husband is Lutheran, and my sister is Mormon.
Before moving to Arizona, I was the program coordinator for over seven years for a multi-million dollar U.S. Department of Education grant at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from CSULA, and I am currently working on a M.A. degree at the University of Arizona. I was a substitute teacher for the Maricopa Unified School District, and I served as the city of Maricopa’s Spanish interpreter and secretary for the Planning and Zoning Commission.
My entire family has been very active and productive within the Maricopa community. My daughter is an Advisory Member of the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, representing Maricopa and the Greater Phoenix Girl Scouts organization. My husband and sons have participated and are actively involved with Maricopa Parks and Recreation sports and the Maricopa Little League. My oldest son played football for the Maricopa Wells Middle School and Maricopa Youth Football League. My brother, Jorge Romero, was the Maricopa Little League Vice President for the 2008-09 season and his children are also very active within the community. My youngest brother, Humberto Romero, recently purchased a home in Maricopa and will also be calling this city his home. My family is rooted within this community, and I look forward to being an active member in furthering its development.
My goals are to focus on grant programs, joint ventures with our school district, economic development and community youth/adult/veteran programs. I truly believe that once our country recovers from this recession, economic development will happen. We cannot expect this to happen without our council and our city’s support in seeking and working with businesses to make it happen. We can only move forward by uniting as one; this will include our city government, our school district, our small business owners, the corporate/franchise businesses, the youth organizations (Maricopa Little League and the Maricopa Youth Football League), senior organizations, surrounding tribes, community organizations (Friends of the Library, Rotary) and the veteran organizations (VFW and American Legion).
I am a vote for Maricopa’s prosperous future ([email protected]). Thank you to Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant and The Water Boy for your support! If you would like to join my campaign or discuss my qualifications and future goals, please send me an e-mail or join me for a meet and greet at Tacos ‘n More Mexican Restaurant on Nov. 10 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
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