LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
Team Lackland enjoyed a lively Hispanic Heritage Luncheon with plenty of food, music, dance performances and comments from a local professor Oct. 3 at the Gateway Club.
A native of San Antonio and dean of the graduate school at St. Mary's University, Dr. Henry Flores shared his life story and highlighted a number of Hispanic contributions to the United States.
"If it had not been for the military, I would not be in the position I am in today," said Dr. Flores.
"The GI Bill paid for my undergraduate education and first year of graduate school," he said.
Dr. Flores, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, served two tours with the 1st Cavalry Division.
There he commanded an artillery battery and was deputy chief of staff of the division.
"My family has always had a military relationship," Dr. Flores said.
"The neighborhood I grew up on in the West side of San Antonio has always felt a very, very close tie to the military, and I've always felt it's a personal obligation to serve our country," he continued.
According to Dr. Flores, military service by Hispanics dates back to the late 1700s, when Bernardo de Galvez, a Spanish colonial governor and general, led soldiers along the Texas and Louisiana coast against the British.
The native of San Antonio also pointed out that Spanish Royalists helped finance the American Revolution in 1777.
He also noted that many of the recipients of the Medal of Honor are Hispanics.
Dr. Flores said Hispanics are diverse, coming from an array of different countries, but they are all hardworking, diligent and have a deep desire to succeed and nurture their culture and language.
"The United States of America is currently the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world," said Dr. Flores. "Think about that. We were third to Argentina.
"We now have more people that speak Spanish in the United States than Argentina has population. We're second only to Mexico. That says a lot."
Audience members found the luncheon informative, fun and representative of many aspects of Hispanic culture.
"I think it was a wonderful luncheon," said Doris Cabezas from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy. "Dr. Flores certainly pointed out the importance of Hispanics in our community, and I am proud to be a Hispanic."