172nd Infantry Brigade

Story by Capt. Stephen Short

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Fiesta, fun and food filled the Blackhawk Inn dining facility as Soldiers of all races, ethnic groups and cultures joined together to celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month on Forward Operating Base Kalsu Oct. 9.

Soldiers of the 172nd Infantry Brigade "Blackhawks," joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the month, which observes the rich cultural heritage of the largest linguistic and ethnic minority in a month-long tribute to Hispanic contributions. This year's theme is "Embracing the fierce urgency of now."

Hispanic American Heritage Month, established in 1989, was set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse Hispanic cultures of American society. The term Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking people of any race. In the 2000 Census, more than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino.

Entertainment from talented dancers demonstrating traditional styles of Hispanic dance drew a large crowd to join in the music and fun.

"I learned Merengue, Salsa and Bachata dance from my family," said Staff Sgt. Magaly L. Santillan, team sergeant, 1411th Civil Affairs Company. "It was just a part of growing up."

"The celebration is showing our culture and diversity among other nations and diversity makes us all richer," added Santillan, a native of Patterson, N.J., of Peruvian descent.

Male and female dance partners came together from different backgrounds with costumes varying from western-style vaqueros and Mexican cowboys, to flowered pattern silk dresses. The dancers spent about three weeks practicing for the performance.

"I learned to dance Salsa, Bamba and Plena styles when I was young in Humacao, Puerto Rico," said Spc. Angel L. Caceres, logistics specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 172nd Inf. Bde. "This is our culture and our roots."

Following the dancing, the celebration guest speaker, Maj. Ricardo J.Diaz, brigade judge advocate, 172nd Inf. Bde., spoke about Hispanic heritage.

"Being Hispanic is more than just adding up a stereotypical sum of a culture's parts," said Diaz. "Being Hispanic in these times, means transforming past wisdom into present action, thereby forging history's future."

"I find myself now, in an age where terrorists seek to threaten the nation that protects my family and I reflect on my elders everyday," said Diaz, a resident of Brownville, Maine.

Diaz said he learned wisdom from his elders, especially his grandparents, who raised five children on a humble Caribbean farm. He shared what he called simple refrains from his grandparents like, "tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are," "love, time and patience are always yours to give, but never yours to conquer" and "if you want a new idea, read an old book."

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