JTF Troopers & NSGB Residents celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Photo By Sgt. Zach Tomesh | Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay residents perform the Macarena in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month at the Navy Exchange, Sept. 22. Hispanic Heritage month is recognized annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. JTF Troopers and NSGB residents participated in Equal Opportunity events celebrating the Hispanic culture; which included a Macarena Flash Mob, Running of the Bulls, and a fiesta. (National Guard photo by Sgt. Zach Tomesh/112MPAD/JTF GTMO PAO)  

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

10.07.2018

Story by Sgt. Zach Tomesh 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Hispanic festivities and culture made its way to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay as Joint Task Force Guantanamo celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with numerous events, as part of JTF GTMO’s Equal Opportunity Program. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Its purpose is to recognize how the Hispanic culture has influenced American culture, as well as to understand the different customs and traditions of Hispanic nationalities.
One JTF Trooper compared the similarities and uniqueness of the Hispanic culture to the make-up of the JTF organization.
“It’s such a rich culture that spans many different countries,” he said. “At JTF we are a joint organization with many different branches of service; we are also comprised of many different ethnicities and walks of life.”
JTF GTMO’s Equal Opportunity office held multiple events throughout the month, reflecting traditions that are common practice among Hispanic cultures. A Macarena Flash Mob at the Navy Exchange kicked-off the month long festivities on Sept. 22, followed by a Running of the Bulls on Sept. 29. The month-long celebrations culminated in a final fiesta featuring traditional food and music from Hispanic countries which included: Argentina, Guatemala, Paraguay, Cuba, Costa Rica, Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela, El Salvador, Panama, Puerto Rico, Peru, Nicaragua, Colombia, Honduras Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador.
For one JTF Trooper, the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is more than the festivities.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a great way to be able to share with my brothers and sisters in-arms my heritage and where I come from,” he said. “To have a venue to celebrate these differences is fantastic.”

• Date Taken: 10.07.2018
• Date Posted: 10.09.2018 15:49
• Story ID: 295799
• Location: NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU