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Hispanic Heritage Month opening ceremony focuses on rich heritage

  • Published
  • By Kimberly L. Wright
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The Hispanic Heritage Month opening ceremony Tuesday at the Maxwell Event Center opened eyes to the diversity of the Hispanic experience through slices of life - home-cooked food, educational displays, presentations and clothing. Tech Sgt. Juan Medina and Tech. Sgt. Hortencia Crutcher, both of International Officers School, brought their Hispanic heritage to life through history lessons and personal experiences. Christine Bushby of 42nd Force Support Squadron served as master of ceremonies.

Sergeant Medina gave a presentation on the first Hispanic Medal of Honor winner, Cpl. Joseph H. De Castro, a flag bearer from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry. He earned the nation's highest honor for valor in dramatic fashion during the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg. Corporal De Castro "attacked a Confederate flag bearer with the staff of his own colors and seized the opposing regiment's flags" during a failed Confederate assault, said Medina.

Sergeant Medina also noted that 43 Hispanics have earned the Medal of Honor. Coming from a strong family heritage of military service, he noted, "We're very proud to serve this country."

Sergeant Crutcher, of Cuban/Argentine descent, detailed her background through an exploration of music. She paid tribute to her Cuban heritage via an overview of Salsa and Celia Cruz, the legendary Queen of Salsa and the most influential salsa performer of the 20th century.

Sergeant Crutcher recognized her Argentine background with a discussion of tango's origins and a discussion of Carlos Gardel, the King of Tango, whose musical influence is still felt in Argentina today several decades after his untimely death. These Hispanic music forms are themselves of multicultural descent, inspired by African influences.

Educational displays throughout the Event Center included clothing specific to Hispanic cultures, posters illustrating flags and scenes from Spanish-speaking nations, as well as a poster sharing tidbits of information about many noteworthy people who are Hispanic. For instance, Adm. David Farragut was Hispanic, with a father of Mexican decent. He is forever immortalized by the order he gave during the Civil War's Battle of Mobile Bay - "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

Committee member Master Sgt. Jose Sanchez said of the event, "Our goal was to make it an educational activity for everyone."

Committee chair Maj. Claudine Wega emphasized the importance of learning more about different cultures: "Such events highlight the diversity that has contributed to make our nation the great one it is today." Such diversity also has a positive impact on the overall mission of the Air Force, she said.

Col. Christopher Sharpe, the 42nd Air Base Wing vice commander, applauded the committee's hard work to bring the Hispanic Heritage Month events to life. "Volunteerism is really what these events are all about," he noted. He also commended the 42nd Medical Group for so often stepping up to the plate to help organize such events.

The next Hispanic Heritage Month event at Maxwell is a luncheon on Oct. 13, 11 a.m., at the Officers' Club, featuring speaker Lt. Col. Joel Guzman-Molina of the Mexican Air Force, an Air War College student who is expected to graduate in May 2010. Tickets are available from Information, Tickets and Travel, or ITT, for $10. In addition to the committee-organized events, Riverfront Inn and Aviation Inn are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Hispanic-themed meals on Sept. 23.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week in September 1968 to celebrate the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.