JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The U.S. Army 5th Recruiting Brigade hosted the annual Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Hispanic Heritage Month Observance at the Fort Sam Houston Theater Sept. 29.
The event featured Henry Cisneros, a former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Mayor of San Antonio, as guest speaker for the event.
“My family has deep connections to Fort Sam Houston and also to San Antonio in general,” said Cisneros. “Fort Sam Houston continues to play a major role, a historic role as a headquarters post but very importantly as the center of military medicine. We’re very, very proud of that. It has immense implications for our economy and our community and we have great respect for it.”
Every year National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It’s a time that is set aside to celebrate the rich histories and diverse cultures of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean as well as Central and South America and other countries.
It was a great program, according to 5th Recruiting Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Craig L. Russell.
“This celebration honors and recognizes all that Hispanic and Latino Americans have done for the United States and its Armed Forces,” Russell said. “All the military services have greatly benefited from the numerous contributions of people from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds and things just keep getting better.”
Sept. 15 is a significant day because it coincides with the anniversary of independence for El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. What’s more, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18 respectively. Also, Día de la Raza, more widely known as Columbus Day, falls on Oct. 12 and is within the designated 30-day period.
“Latinos today in the United States are the largest minority population in the country and the fastest growing minority on top of that … 55 million people,” Cisneros added. “It’s diverse in its makeup and it’s also diverse in its location within the United States. We’re all going to depend on these young people becoming skilled workers, becoming STEM capable in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, because that’s where the economy is going and if we don’t educate them in that way we will all suffer.”
In 1968, the Hispanic observation saw its beginnings as Hispanic Heritage Week during President Lyndon Johnson’s administration. In 1988, the program was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to 30 days in duration starting on Sept. 15 and lasting through Oct. 15. When Public Law 100-402 was approved, the program was officially enacted into law.
“Hispanic and Latino Americans have a proud and prestigious record of military service that dates back to the Civil War,” Russell added. “They've defended America countless times with unwavering bravery, honor and dignity. Today, Hispanic military men and women can be especially proud of their selfless service to the U.S. Armed Forces. They truly embody the values embodied in military service that unite all service members as one.”