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    1ID FWD Honors Hispanic Heritage with Observance in Poland

    1ID FWD Honors Hispanic Heritage with Observance in Poland

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith | Maj. Harold C. Lopez, an engineer with the 1st Infantry Division Forward, provides a...... read more read more

    POZNAN, POLAND

    10.15.2019

    Story by Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith 

    1st Infantry Division

    POZNAN, Poland - Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Forward held a
    Hispanic Heritage Month observance Oct. 15, 2019 in Poznan, Poland to
    celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and to honor their
    service throughout U.S. history.
    The theme for the event was, "Honoring Hispanic Americans: Essential
    to the Blueprint of Our Nation."
    "What makes the Army so different from all large organizations is our
    ability to implement all races into one organization to fight and win our
    nation's wars," said Col. Phil Brooks. "This month, Hispanic Heritage, is
    another replication as to why we are so good as an Army," he said.
    The guest speaker for the observance was Maj. Harold C. Lopez, division
    engineer, 1ID FWD.
    Lopez, a Hispanic American who commissioned in 2008, spoke on the importance
    of using his individual service to honor those who have come before him.
    "This event is not about me. It is to honor the generations of
    Hispanics [who] have made endless sacrifices and whose contributions have
    given us the opportunities that we have today," said Lopez.
    "Without these trailblazers, we would not be seen as equals. We would not be
    able to contribute to the building blocks of the United States the way that
    we do," he said.
    During his speech, Lopez mentioned his family settling in Texas in
    1801. He spoke on the hard work and accomplishments dating back to his
    great-great grandfather who was a farmer.
    His family continued the same legacy with farming but also realized
    education was also a key to becoming a better member of the community,
    according to Lopez.
    "My grandfather was the first to attend college. He wanted better for his
    kids, so he attended school after work and after taking care of the house,"
    he said.
    Lopez highlighted many members throughout his family who have earned degrees
    in engineering, social work and nursing.
    "I know I said this speech was not about me, but I wanted to use my family
    to illustrate the hard work and accomplishments that Hispanics have made,"
    said Lopez.
    "Let's not disappoint them and continue to use the opportunities we were
    given to pass on to the next generations. If we are truly lucky, they will
    surpass us and continue to make the United States a better place."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.15.2019
    Date Posted: 10.15.2019 14:45
    Story ID: 347724
    Location: POZNAN, PL
    Hometown: FORT RILEY, KS, US
    Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US

    Web Views: 77
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN