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Hispanic Americans are vital to the success of every mission aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and are an invaluable asset to our Navy in general. Since the beginning of our history, they have served in the Navy with honor, courage and commitment. Comprising of more than seven percent of the Navy’s entire population, more than 66,000 Hispanic Americans honorably serve in our organization contributing to the continued fortification of our diverse, volunteer force.
The annual observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is a time to recognize the accomplishments and contributions Hispanic Americans have made to our Navy and country.
Today, aboard mighty IKE, Hispanic Americans serve in key leadership positions at the division, department and command levels. They lead and operate work centers that consist of hard-working teams that ensure successful operations at homeport and overseas. Many of these Sailors are motivated by the cultural values they grew up with and share with their families.
“I value hard work and dedication,” said Chief Logistics Specialist Alvis Sanchez. “Sweat equity is necessary and required to be successful. More importantly my family and I have our faith in God. He steers the course and we follow his lead. Our values help me to be a better Sailor because I am able to use my position and authority to influence my Sailors to make good decisions both in their personal and professional development.”
The Navy recognizes not only the significance of individual contributions, but also the value of diversity and an inclusive environment during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Onboard we have various organizations whose missions are to celebrate what makes us unique and validate an important part of our identities: our unique cultures. These groups give Sailors the opportunity to connect with other Sailors through education and enjoyable experiences that promote open mindedness and acceptance.
The Hispanic Sailor’s Association is one of these groups with a very active member base. They hosts movie nights, dancing classes, language classes and many other events that give all Sailors obiard IKE the opportunity to educate themselves on the Hispanic culture and create bonds through shared experience.
The mighty IKE embraces diversity, and our resilient Sailors understand that we are stronger when everyone has an opportunity to contribute and share their cultural experiences in service of their country.
“One of our biggest strengths is our immensely diverse Navy,” said Sanchez. “Our diversity affords us the opportunity for innovation and opinions made from a much broader pool of experiences. Those that live up to our values of honor, courage and commitment embody the essence of cultural diversity because they understand and value diversity as an asset.”
Military service is a unifier of all cultures through shared values, work ethic and bonds. Through overcoming challenges together and understanding each other’s cultures and backgrounds, it enables us to connect in unity and strengthens our effectiveness as a team.
“I respect our country, I respect our flag and I believe in what our Navy represents, freedom,” said Sanchez. “Those same freedoms allowed those Hispanic American service members that came before me to serve, sometimes in reverence and thankfulness to a country that we helped build and cherished as our own. These sentiments is why I serve, I respect those that came before me, and I strive every day to be the best version of myself for the betterment of our Navy and for our greatest asset, our Sailors.”
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2021 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 408515 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hispanic Heritage Month, by PO2 Jorge LeBaron, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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