FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Members of the Fort Carson community gathered Sept. 28, 2015, at the Elkhorn Conference Center to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanics in America.
The 4th Infantry Division Equal Opportunity (EO) team along with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., organized the event. Held annually Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month helps increase awareness about important Hispanics who have earned their places in history among the most successful within their large, diverse community.
The featured guest speaker, Lt. Col. Lucinda R. Wilson, gave a speech in English and Spanish about her Family starting out in America. She highlighted how her Hispanic background helped shape the Soldier she is today due to hardworking values along with close support from Family.
"I am the first kid in the Family to go to and graduate from a four-year institution straight out of high school," said Wilson. "I am also the first (in the family) to achieve the rank of lieutenant colonel in the military."
Wilson is the commander of the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB, and is an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilot who has strived to overcome stereotypes about Hispanics to excel above her peers and break down racial barriers.
Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, she graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1995, which is the same year she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
Wilson said that when she arrived at her first duty station in Germany, she was met with two reactions from her peers. The first was that as a woman she would not be able to meet the physical demands and the second was that, as a Mexican, she would not be able to meet the intellectual and academic demands of employing the Kiowa helicopter.
She excelled by maxing out her Army Physical Fitness Test, flying more hours than her peers and performing more training at the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
"If you want to energize diversity, destroy and then shatter the stereotypes through your deeds," Wilson said after sharing her story.
The event also featured Raquel Carney, an employee at the Elkhorn Conference Center who performed a traditional Panamanian dance titled "La Batea." Carney was able to entertain the crowd with her colorful folk costume flowing to the rhythmic dance and with help from Soldiers in the audience who participated.
The event helped Soldiers and attendees learn how Hispanics have strived to make a difference while representing their culture in America. The Army represents a large portion of Hispanics representing countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
"We all have different values and backgrounds," said Sgt. 1st Class Liza Wells, a representative from the 4th Inf. Div. EO team. "Understanding someone's diversity and their values helps Soldiers work better together."
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