Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2016

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Troutman | 160921-N-ON468-031 PEARL HARBOR (September 21, 2016) Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 3rd Class N'Kosi Gaddy speaks to audience members during a Hispanic Heritage month celebration at Pearl Harbor. Hispanic Heritage Month observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period, paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. There are more than 57,000 Hispanic Sailors currently serving in the Navy and more than 16,000 Hispanic civilian employees working for the Department of the Navy (DoN). Making up a total of 15 percent of the Navy, 2.5 percent are serving as flag officers and 11 percent represent the E8-E9 leadership. Representation is present in every rank and in a wide variety of career fields to include fighter pilots, physicians, nuclear engineers, policy makers, boatswains and corpsmen. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeff Troutman/Released)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

09.21.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Troutman 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

Hispanic Heritage Month runs each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

“Today we’re here to honor the camaraderie and heritage of Hispanic Americans,” said Cmdr. George Mendes, JBPHH command chaplain. “It’s important for us to share in the bonds of cultural traditions, and to recognize how the richness of many nations has helped to shape our country.”

The celebration included a variety of traditional Hispanic cuisine, a trivia contest with prize giveaways, music from the United States Pacific Fleet band, and remarks from Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Priscilla Clark about notable Hispanic individuals who served in the U.S. military, delivered in both English and Spanish to emphasize the importance of recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.

Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class Lavida Boone, president of the JBPHH Diversity Council, encouraged audience members to learn more about the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to our nation by traveling to countries frequented by the U.S. Navy during port visits and community relation events.

“It’s wonderful that we have a specific month dedicated to recognizing all of the Hispanic countries who have contributed to the growth of our nation,” said Boone. “Hopefully one day we all have the privilege of visiting some of these countries and know a little bit more about them. We’re very fortunate and blessed to have these kinds of experiences, to learn about Hispanic cultures and other cultures that we routinely encounter in our careers.”

Hispanic Heritage Month observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period, paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Currently, there are more than 57,000 Hispanic Sailors currently serving in the Navy and more than 16,000 Hispanic civilian employees working for the Department of the Navy. Making up a total of 15 percent of the Navy, 2.5 percent are serving as flag officers and 11 percent represent the E8-E9 leadership. Representation is present in every rank and in a wide variety of career fields to include fighter pilots, physicians, nuclear engineers, policy makers, boatswains and corpsmen.

For more information about the history of Hispanic Americans and their numerous contributions to the Navy, visit www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/hispanic-americans-in-the-navy.html/.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2016
• Date Posted: 09.22.2016 15:21
• Story ID: 210239
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US