Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard | 1st Sgt. Alfred Gomez and Sgt. 1st Class Tommy Benavidas enjoy delicious food with...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Margaritas, tacos, fajitas -- these things come to mind at the mention of Cinco de Mayo. Most Americans think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day – it's not. Mexico's Independence Day is Sept. 15. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the battle of Puebla on the morning of May 5, 1862.
The French, English and Spanish came to Mexico under the guise of collecting debt. The English and Spanish settled with Mexico and left. The French remained.
The French Army, headed by Napoleon III, was undefeated for 50 years. With the most modern equipment available, they proceeded toward Mexico City to attack. The French Army decided to chase Colonel Porfirio Diaz. Diaz's 4,000-soldier cavalry, with the assistance of stampeding cattle and Indians armed only with machetes, slaughtered the 8,000-strong French Army. This victory delayed the French attack on Mexico City by one year, and is the reason for the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Today Cinco de Mayo is not only celebrated in Mexico, but also in the United States as well as here in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Bayview is hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration complete with festive music and Mexican food.
For 1st Sgt. Alfred Gomez of the New Mexico Army National Guard, celebrating Cinco de Mayo was a family affair growing up in the border town of Douglas, Ariz. His family came to the United States from Mexico in 1946 from Aqua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico to open a photography studio. His family would go back across the border to Aqua Prieta every May to celebrate.
"When I was growing up with my parents we celebrated Cinco de Mayo by going to Mexico and celebrating with friends and family. It was always a big celebration in the center of a big plaza," said Gomez.
Gomez has no plans for traveling to Mexico this year, but does plan on enjoying some good food with friends here in Guantanamo.
www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2008 15:50 |
| Story ID: | 19960 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 160 |
This work, Viva la Mexico, by PO2 Cheryl Dilgard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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