Dustin G. Lara Corp. - U.S. Army - 2006-2011

In Long Beach, California Dustin Lara was the fifth of six sons born to his parents. The four brothers older than him each joined the US Army. The oldest was deployed to Kuwait and would call home when he could. At age 12, Dustin was in on the phone conversations. He heard the reports of war and in a way, prepared to be a part of it then.

His parents emigrated from Mexico and became American citizens. The children were then first generation American citizens. They knew that if they worked hard, and smart, and persisted, good things would happen. The second oldest brother was deployed to Kosovo...