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."
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 |
This work, 1ID FWD Honors Hispanic Heritage with Observance in Poland, by SFC Maurice Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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