Hispanic American Heritage Month: Fort Carson celebrates diversity

By Kerstin Lopez (Fort Carson)September 22, 2011

Hispanic American Heritage Month: Fort Carson celebrates diversity
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Hispanic American Heritage Month: Fort Carson celebrates diversity
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Hispanic American Heritage Month: Fort Carson celebrates diversity
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FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Mountain Post community gathered Sept. 20 at the Elkhorn Conference Center to celebrate the heritage and achievements of Hispanic Americans.

Sgt. Amber Hargrove, 3rd Brigade Combat Team equal opportunity leader, 4th Infantry Division, said the monthlong observance, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

"Today we are here to celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month. Americans have annually recognized Hispanic history and the contributions since 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson signed a congressional declaration to establish the first Hispanic History Week. The celebration expanded to a full month in 1988," Hargrove said.

September was chosen as the celebration date because it is the anniversary of the independence

of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days in September, Hargrove said.

"Celebration of the National Hispanic Heritage Month provides us an opportunity to focus national attention upon the contributions of the Hispanic community to American society," Hargrove said.

Keeping with this year's theme, "Many backgrounds, many stories … one American spirit," six Hispanic American Soldiers shared their personal stories and backgrounds.

"We had a great event here and we really got an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our Army, and we know there is strength in diversity, especially the Hispanic culture," said Brig. Gen. James H. Doty, acting senior commander, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. "This fabric of our Army is made up of many fibers and the Hispanic culture has provided great Soldiers and great leaders."