Today we’d like to introduce you to Alfredo Hurtado.
Hi Alfredo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
This is from a speech I made on Memorial Day.
I was sworn in at the Brooklyn MEPS in Ft Hamilton, NY October 12 2000. After I was sworn in, I was instructed to go towards our respected branch vehicle so that we can be transported to the airport. Upon entering the common area, I took a glance at the giant television set and I saw the USS Kole with a giant hole on the side of it. Then I thought, what did I get myself into? As I left the building trying to wrap my head around the news, I approached the first vehicle I saw which was a giant tour bus. And then as I proceeded to go on the bus but I was stopped by the recruiter. He said “hold on! That’s the Air Force bus, Army is down there! As he pointed out the two retired high school sports vans. At that point I was definitely questioning all of my decisions. After 20 or so weeks in Ft Leonard Wood doing BCT, MP school and three weeks in Ft Benning “all the way!” i arrived at Ft Bragg May 2001. I was fortunate enough to experience my first field training exercise in the middle of July. Of course without the proper bug repellent or gear. The next morning, my face was swollen from the free buffet the mosquitos took advantage of. As I started getting comfortable and enjoying the army life I find myself standing on corridor 2 late September 2001. I spent seven months standing in frigid weather next to the Potomac. Being woken up after a twelve hour shift by the Army band and the old guard doing their drill and ceremony training with canons. Having the the privilege to walk through Arlington and really take my time to look at the names. To watch the 21 steps east to west and knowing the the ones who carry that honor. Driving back down to WOMACK to be with my wife as we welcome our daughter. Then there was my first time over seas in a combat zone. December 02- September 03 Afghanistan was the place to be. Tasked with combat patrols, prison duty, gate duty, and security escorts allowed for me to experience Afghanistan from several perspectives. Have you ever had to change a humvee tire under the scorching hot sun exposed to any and all possible enemy fire while your platoon sergeant tells you to hurry up? I laugh now and I laughed then. It was pretty funny but still terrifying. After nine grueling months I returned home and was invited to tryout for the All Army soccer team. I made the final cut and was selected to play In the all armed forces tournament in Millington, TN. It would be the one and only time I would represent my branch and country in an athletic role. It was time to put on my desert uniform again but it was to a different location. As I arrive to my new home I notice there is a big difference. More of a familiar infrastructure but definitely on a foreign land. My first night there we were welcomed with a night long mortar attack including the four days that followed. There was a point where I was more terrified about being inside the wire than being out there on patrol. Iraq was a different beast than Afghanistan. It was out of control! Fourteen days after being in country my humvee was struck by a roadside bomb. Every possible thought came into my head after I regained consciousness. The heat and the smoke reminded me where I was at and what I was experiencing. Did one of grenades go off? No, I would have definitely been dead. We definitely got hit! Was it a mine? An RPG? Several years later my buddy told me he had jumped into the crater and he stood chest deep inside the hole. They told me that it was a daisy chained IED and they used 155 Howitzer rounds stuffed with c-4. My team made it back alive but some were not whole.
I spent several years battling PTS and recovering from TBI. Aside from the care at the VA, I took an unconventional approach into my healing journey. After returning home from an all inclusive trip at the VA hospital, my wife handed me a leather bound book. She said that I can write whatever was in my head in this book and no one would read it. Well, I started writing in it and then I started seeing a flow and having been a musician most my life I put music to the words. I used a software program and recorded several tracks. I felt really proud and of my work. Without realizing it, I was beginning to unlock a tool. A way of sharing my story. My wife, when all was of this was heppening, was a teacher. One of her student’s parents was Michelle Pearson. One day in carpool, my wife handed Michelle the cd and told her she’s tried everything and she reaching out in hopes of me finding a way out of this trauma. Michelle listened to the cd and said “man, this guy is messed up, I need to meet him”! After having worked as a musician with Michelle for a couple of years, I found myself drawn to dance. I always proclaim dance saved my life. There was something still missing that wasn’t allowing me to grow. I was struggling with my trauma but it wasn’t until I started moving my body was when I started to notice a difference. We retain our memories In our brains but our trauma occurs to us in our bodies and the body never forgets. Dance was the vessel that allowed me to release it all. The arts is the instrument in which reminded me of my humanity, specifically dance. Because of dance, I have been able to make amazing connections and create partnerships in hopes of getting the word out to reach our brothers and sisters in need of healing and community. Because it is community that is helping me heal.
Alfredo Hurtado
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I dance for a company called Black Box Dance Theatre. We are a modern dance company that specializes in nonfiction dance. We work with K-12 throughout North Carolina. We work with active duty service members, veterans, and their families. We perform evening length works. This year we start our year residency at North Carolina State University. We have a documentary that is showcasing veterans from the veterans treatment court. BBDT works with everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackboxdancetheatre.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackboxdance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G72Kwngx1/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredo-hurtado-aa738b97
- Twitter: https://x.com/blackboxdt_nc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackboxdancetheatre8927
