From now until July 4, the Post, collaborating with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring stories from everyday Americans about what the American Dream of 2026 signifies for them. Everett Alvarez is a retired U.S. Navy commander living in Maryland.
We aren’t a flawless union, but honestly, this is the most remarkable experiment the world has witnessed. I embody the American Dream. My grandparents came from Mexico on both sides of my family. I was born in Salinas, California. You know “The Grapes of Wrath” by Steinbeck? I kind of grew up alongside those kids, who migrated to California during the Dust Bowl.
My mom worked in a packing warehouse, while my dad was a welder. Now, even though we didn’t have much, I wasn’t really aware of our financial struggles. Right after I graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1960, I enlisted in the Navy.
I was a pilot in a jet squadron stationed on the USS Constellation when things started escalating in Vietnam. I took part in the first raid on North Vietnam back in August 1964 during what’s known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and got shot down.
I became the first American POW held by the North Vietnamese at what was infamously referred to as the Hanoi Hilton. I spent over eight years as a prisoner of war. They didn’t see us as soldiers but as criminals, treating us accordingly. I lost some friends along the way due to the harsh conditions.
We, the POWs, developed ways to communicate between our cells. We relied on each other for support. While not everyone had faith, a majority did, and that bond helped us endure.
Young generations today might not grasp it. Honestly, we’ve had it pretty good for many years here. Most people don’t truly appreciate what they have until it’s taken away.
This nation offers something better than anywhere else, especially nowadays, with challenges posed by countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. It’s our responsibility to remind the world, “Hey, this isn’t safe.”
The American Dream Video Project showcases genuine stories that highlight the journey to opportunity. This series, in collaboration with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), celebrates America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is a new cultural hub in Washington, DC, featuring interactive exhibits and narratives about achieving the American dream. For more details, visit: mcaad.org.
