#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Sandra Cancinos

During Hispanic Heritage Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Sandra Cancinos, who served as a helicopter door gunner in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sandra Cancinos enlisted in the Army in 2005 and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In an interview with the Veterans History Project, she said that basic training gave her discipline and introduced her to one of her best friends, who she remains in contact with today. Following basic training, she then attended advanced individual training at Fort Lee in Virginia.

Cancinos served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. She began as a logistics specialist and later became a Black Hawk door gunner. Cancinos was the only woman in her company in this new role.

In an interview with the Veterans History Project, Cancinos said she learned to be humble and willing to make sacrifices when needed through her service. She said she also recognized the importance of always being prepared in every situation. Cancinos said she found these lessons to be helpful in her life and career after she left the Army.

Following her honorable discharge, Cancinos attended St. John’s University in Queens, New York, and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and business administration. Cancinos then received her master’s degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University. Following graduation, Cancinos accepted a position with the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, working for U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard in Hawaii’s second congressional district.

Following her service, Cancinos worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Thank you for your service!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Rachel Jensen

Editor: Amra Kandic

Fact checker: Monique Quihuis, Caroline Seyer

Graphic artist: Roni Ruadap