Nestor Ramirez-Latorres: ‘Knowing your history is knowing who you are’
<p><i>Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Some three percent of Southern Nuclear employees identify as Hispanic.</i></p>
<p><b>Employee: <br>
</b>Nestor Ramirez-Latorres, senior nuclear security officer, Vogtle 1&2</p>
<p><b>Are you originally from this country?<br>
</b>I was born in Puerto Rico, and my family moved to the states when I was a newborn. I lived and studied in Puerto Rico during part of my childhood, but mostly grew up in the states.</p>
<p><b>What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?<br>
</b>It means not forgetting where I came from and who I am — a Hispanic American. I want my children to remember their Hispanic heritage, to learn about Hispanic culture and traditions, and to embrace new ones.</p>
<p><b>How do you recognize or celebrate your heritage? <br>
</b>We include traditions like pastelillos (Puerto Rican pastry) and coquito (a sweet coconut beverage) during our Christmas season. I am also involved in Hispanic community events, and I remember Puerto Rico’s important dates like its discovery in November 1492, the El Grito de Lares revolution against Spanish rule Sept. 23,<sup> </sup>1868, and when it became a territory in 1898. Knowing your history is knowing who you are.</p>
<p><b>How did you end up at Southern Nuclear? <br>
</b>I retired from the U.S. Army with 21 years of service. My wife found out about Southern Nuclear through a co-worker at her job on Fort Gordon. I have been with SNC for eight years now. I work in Security and am also a member of the confined space rescue team for Vogtle 1 &2.</p>
