Soldiers honor Hispanic Heritage Month with 'Latin Fiesta'

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Carmichael Yepez | Service members enjoy and night of food, music and dancing at a fiesta night in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month on Forward Operating Base Marez, Sept. 18.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

09.19.2009

Story by Capt. Linda North 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

MOSUL, Iraq — Soldiers grooved to the sounds of Latin music at the dining facility on Forward Operating Base Marez the evening of Sept. 18 during a fiesta hosted by 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and 130th Engineer Brigade Equal Opportunity offices.

The 'Latin Fiesta' night showcased a variety of dance styles and music by volunteer Soldiers in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month-long program to educate service members about Hispanic heritage and history.

The main event highlighted six couples each demonstrating a different style of dance consisting of Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata, Banda, Merengue and Boogalu. Between dance routines, a small group of Soldiers sang traditional Spanish songs while playing the bongo drum, tambourine and maracas.

The audience even took part in the festivities. Once all the dance exhibitions were complete, the dancers pulled people from the crowd to join them for a few songs. Free dance lessons, food and refreshments were also provided afterwards.

"This event was important to bring out the Hispanic heritage culture for the Soldiers of this ethnicity. It is a time for them to express and share with others," said Sgt. 1st Class Cadonna Odom, a Louisville, Ky., native and the equal opportunity advisor for 3rd BCT.

Soldiers from both 3rd BCT and 130th Eng. Bde volunteered and formed a committee to plan the night. The committee met regularly with the equal opportunity advisors and developed a program that would be both entertaining and informative.

Sgt. 1st Class Erik Pina, a native of San Antonio and an information operations non-commissioned officer with 3rd BCT, is a volunteer salsa dance instructor at the weekly 'Salsa Night' on Forward Operating Base Marez. Pina was a key participant in bringing dancers and musicians together for the fiesta.

"Many of us are very close friends, and with the help of Sgt. 1st Class Odom, we were able to reach out to men and women through advertisements on emails and flyers to help us fill our voids in the event," said Pina.

The planning committee quickly learned that certain resources weren't readily available in a combat zone and therefore had to rely on volunteers in the community.

"We realized that finding instruments in relation to Hispanic heritage was a little more difficult than we may have initially thought," said Pina. "But thankfully, we were able to get instruments donated for the evening by some of our fellow service members that were happy to assist."

The Department of Defense observes Hispanic Heritage Month this year from Sept. 15 to Oct 15. Units across the Army will host events honoring Hispanic men and women who have made a difference in the American culture and armed services.

The next Hispanic Heritage Month observance on FOB Marez will be held Oct. 2 at the Combined Activities Center. Col. Fabian Mendoza, commander of 130th Eng. Bde, is scheduled to be the guest speaker.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2009
• Date Posted: 09.23.2009 03:46
• Story ID: 39161
• Location: MOSUL, IQ