Photo By Robert Whetstone | Sgt. Maj. Michael Davis and Alcira Etienne perform a traditional dance Oct. 14 during...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Lori Newman
Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Brooke Army Medical Center celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month Oct. 14 in the Medical Mall with a guest speaker, music, dance and food.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, BAMC commanding general, guest speaker U.S. Army South Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Olvera, and BAMC Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Crews emphasized this year’s theme – “Embracing, Enriching and Enabling America.”
The commander reiterated this in his opening remarks.
“We in the military embrace many things -- our beliefs, our customs, our families, our units and our diversity. We hold those things close to our hearts, we accept them -- we embrace them,” Johnson said.
“Hispanics and Hispanic-Americans not only embrace America and its culture but they also bring their own traditions, values and work ethic to the table. They enrich our culture through diversity, hard work, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to make this country better.”
The general talked about two members of the 65th Infantry Regiment. The Borinqueneers, a Puerto Rican U.S. Army unit that served in World War I and World War II, but it was during the Korean War that they made their mark in extensive combat. The unit fought in nine of 10 campaigns during the Korean War.
By the time the Korean War had ended, Soldiers from the 65th Infantry Regiment had earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, about 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars and 3,000 Purple Hearts. In April, the living members of the 65th Infantry Regiment were presented the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
86-year-old Korean War veteran Retired Staff Sgt. Jose Diaz-Rivas was unable to attend the ceremony at the capitol, because he was a patient at BAMC. Johnson presented Diaz-Rivas his Congressional Gold Medal bedside.
“Seeing his humility even in his hospital bed was inspiring for everyone who was there,” Johnson said. “He even attempted to sing his unit’s fight song but he couldn’t get all the words out because he was overcome by emotions.”
Johnson also mentioned 88-year-old Victor Lopez was a member of the Borinqueneers from April 1951 to March 1952 during the Korean War. He served 28 years in the U.S. Army and he has volunteered at BAMC for 21 years.
“Observances such as this provide a great opportunity to pause and reflect on our shared history as Americans, and to honor the cultures that, all together, helped build and strengthen our Army and our nation,” Olvera said. “This year’s national theme … aptly captures that spirit as we together celebrate all that Hispanic Americans have contributed to our nation and Army.”
Olvera highlighted the accomplishments of several Hispanic Americans throughout history who had storied military careers and spoke about his own experiences growing up in a predominantly Mexican-American community in rural California.
Hispanic Americans make up about 14 percent of the Army’s active component, which is a 10 percent increase over the past 30 years, Olvera said.
“America’s diversity has always been one of our greatest strengths, as people of different backgrounds and cultures share their unique experiences and perspective to benefit all,” Olvera said.
“Our Army embraces diversity as a way to create a system that maximizes individual talents, increases morale and greatly enhances military effectiveness.”
Crews closed the ceremony by thanking Olvera for his positive remarks and emphasized the importance of embracing our differences, but standing together. “United we stand, divided we fall,” Crews said.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2016 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 212498 |
| Location: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hispanic culture, diversity celebrated during heritage month commemoration, by Lori Newman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT