# Hispanic Heritage Month spotlight: Laura Wages

/ Published Sept. 20, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
*Editor’s Note: The Defense Logistics Agency recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. In honor of Hispanics’ contributions to the agency’s global mission, DLA is highlighting Hispanic Americans who work daily to provide logistics support to the nation’s warfighters.*

**My name is:** Laura Mercado Wages

**I am:** I am the front office manager for the Director’s Staff Group at DLA Headquarters. I ensure administrative actions coming to the DLA director, vice director, chief of staff, senior enlisted leader, and deputy chief of staff are reviewed, staffed and returned so that everyone is better able to support the command group and the DLA mission. This includes travel authorizations, awards, meetings and office calls.

**How long have you worked for DLA?** I have worked at DLA since the beginning of July. Prior to that, I was the director of policy and engagements for the Office of Veterans Business Development at the Small Business Administration. My job was to help service members, veterans and military spouses start their own businesses, a very rewarding job.

**Describe your Hispanic background.** I was born in Texas but grew up in New Mexico, about 26 miles from the Mexican border. My parents moved to the United States from Mexico for a better life and to be with their siblings who were already living in the US. I do still have some relatives that live in Mexico, so it is fun to go visit.

**Tell us something unique about your heritage.** There are many groups within Mexico and many different regions from deserts to rainforests to coastal areas. Indigenous groups in those areas prospered and left behind incredible histories. There are Mayan pyramids and the Mayan calendar as well as food like beans, tomatoes, chocolate and corn that were first cultivated by these ancient groups.  Imagine not having corn and chocolate as part of our diets. These groups traveled far north into what is now the U.S. Places like Colorado, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Franscisco and Santa Fe were all established and named by Hispanics.   

**What are some traditions your ancestors passed on to you that you continue to embrace?** Every December, my mother hosted a Posada at our home. It is a celebration leading up to Christmas for 12 days. Each night, a different family would host the Posada and through a series of songs, the group outside would ask the group inside to be let in just as Joseph and Mary asked for refuge. After the third ask, the outside group is let in. Then the fun begins for the young and old with everything from cookies, candy, hot chocolate and atole – a traditional hot Mexican drink made with masa flour and spices like cinnamon and vanilla – to pinatas.

**What misconception about your heritage or country of origin would you like to correct?** We don’t all like spicy food.

**What challenges remain for Hispanic Americans today?** Confidence. I would like to see more successful Hispanics become role models for younger generations. I would like the see the Hispanic community take on bigger roles in schools, communities and politics. For example, we have a huge immigration problem at our southern border, but I’ve yet to see Hispanics engaged in that conversation. Education is also a huge challenge. The goal should no longer be graduating from high school, but graduating from college. Military service is a great avenue to getting a college education. I was able to graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso because of the G.I. Bill.

**What does the theme “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America” mean to you?** If you look at the growing number of Latinos starting businesses, graduating from schools, beginning professional careers and their significant contribution to the U.S. economy, it is important they understand their power and use it to further support other Latinos. There is power in being the largest growing minority group in the country.

**Why is it important to you that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?** There are so many groups that make up the Hispanic community, and each has their own rich history, culture, tradition and foods. As a Mexican, I love to learn about the other amazing groups from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Guatemala to name a few that make up what we call “Hispanics.”