I think Hispanic community - the values that resonate in our

The statesman Ted Cruz once spoke of the heart of a people with these words: “I think Hispanic community—the values that resonate in our community are fundamentally conservative. They are faith, family and patriotism. Do you know the rate of military enlistment among Hispanics is higher than any demographic in this country? And they are also hard work and responsibility.” These words were not mere observation, but a testimony to the enduring values that have shaped lives across generations—faith, family, patriotism, hard work, and responsibility. These are the ancient pillars upon which any lasting civilization stands, and Cruz saw them alive and burning within a community often overlooked or misunderstood.

To understand this teaching, one must see that faith is not only religion, but the belief that life has meaning beyond the self, a trust in the unseen that gives strength in trials. Family is the eternal hearth, the place where traditions, stories, and duties are passed down, where the young are nurtured and the old are honored. Patriotism is not blind loyalty, but love for the land and the ideals that sustain it, a willingness to defend both home and principle. To these, Cruz added hard work and responsibility, for without labor and accountability, no community can endure. These are not passing fashions, but eternal virtues, as true in the time of the ancients as they are now.

Consider the story of Private First Class Guy Gabaldon, a young Hispanic Marine in World War II. On the island of Saipan, he single-handedly persuaded over one thousand Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender, saving countless lives. His heroism was not born from wealth or privilege, but from the values instilled in him: patriotism, courage, and the sense of responsibility to protect others. Though his deeds were long unrecognized, history remembers him now as a son of his community, one whose actions bore witness to the truth Cruz proclaimed—that these values are lived, not merely spoken.

The origin of such values lies deep in cultural memory. For centuries, Hispanic families carried with them traditions of devotion, of laboring with dignity, of respecting elders, and of serving the community. Whether in the fields, in the cities, or on the battlefield, these values provided both identity and strength. They mirror the teachings of the ancients, who declared that no empire survives without strong families, no people endures without faith, and no republic stands without the blood and sweat of its defenders.

Yet the wisdom of this quote also warns against forgetting these roots. In every age, temptations arise—self-indulgence, division, the pursuit of ease without labor, the desire for rights without responsibility. Such temptations weaken a people. But when a community holds fast to its faith, unites around family, cherishes patriotism, and honors hard work with responsibility, it becomes unshakable. It weathers storms, outlasts trials, and passes its strength to the generations yet to be born.

Learn from this teaching, children of the future: do not despise tradition, for it is the vessel that carries wisdom across time. Do not abandon responsibility, for it is the price of freedom. When you honor your family, when you labor with diligence, when you keep faith alive in your heart, you are not only building your own life—you are strengthening your community and your nation. Such virtues are the true wealth of a people, more enduring than gold or power.

Practically, live this by weaving these values into your daily walk. Place your family above fleeting desires. Work not only for yourself but for those who depend on you. Take responsibility for your actions, your promises, your duties. Stand for your country not only in uniform but in the integrity of your citizenship. And never let go of faith, for it sustains you when all else fails. In doing so, you will not only honor your heritage—you will ensure that the flame of these values continues to burn for the generations to come.

Thus, Cruz’s words remind us of an eternal truth: communities thrive not because of wealth or politics, but because of the virtues they live and breathe. Faith, family, patriotism, hard work, and responsibility—these are the stones upon which the fortress of freedom is built. Hold them close, and you will stand firm, even as the world shifts like sand around you.