FORT POLK, La. -- A Hispanic Heritage Month celebration took place at the Warrior Community Center Sept. 28. The theme of the month-long observance, which runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, is "Diversity United, Building American's Future Today."
The event was filled with the color, tradition, art and sound of a variety of Hispanic cultures from Panama, Peru and Puerto Rico to Brazil, Mexico and beyond. Samples of clothing, artwork, instruments, food and more were displayed as attendees walked into the WCC banquet hall, while music and dance were woven into the tapestry of the program.
Wearing a traditional dress of Panama called a pollera, Pamela Henry, a military spouse, said she was showing pride in her heritage. The dress is worn for special occasions such as weddings, festivals and carnivals, according to Henry. "America is a melting pot of cultures. I was born in the United States, but my mom was an immigrant from Panama. Everybody that has roots in another country or culture and came to America has to learn to merge the two," said Henry. "Our American heritage blends into our native heritage. But we don't want to lose part of who we are. You always have to remember where you came from."
In introducing the Hispanic Heritage day's keynote speaker, Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Clarence Keithley said that Command Sergeant Major, United States Army South, Gabriel Cervantes is a role model that young Hispanic Soldiers and officers can look up to in today's Army. Not because he is a sports hero, but because he is an American hero. "He has played a vital role in shaping the Army over his 31 years of service and leadership," said Keithley.
Cervantes said that heritage events help the Army become better because it depends on groups of people working together. "By understanding Hispanic cultures, I believe it helps us to become stronger as teams. Hopefully that understanding will help to retain, mentor and develop young Hispanic Soldiers," said Cervantes.
He gave some examples. "In the Air Force, the system is geared to something that flies. That is their main focus. Everybody works in support of getting that plane off the ground. In the Navy, the system is geared toward keeping the ship afloat. In the Army, the main system is the individual with boots on the ground. Everybody works in support of that system. We are a people organization. That's why I think understanding who we are as a culture is very important."
Cervantes said that currently, Hispanics have the highest number of decorated Soldiers, as well as the highest number of Soldiers killed in action. The reason for that, he believes, is that 87 percent of Hispanics entering the military join a combat arms unit.
He explained a bit about the Hispanic culture as a whole. "We respect our elders, take care of each other as a family, enjoy having fun, are committed, dedicated and hard working," said Cervantes.
But within each individual Hispanic culture, he said, there is also diversity. "That's why we have to make the effort to get to know our Soldiers, understand their culture and show them that we care about them," said Cervantes.
Cervantes related a story about a Mexican boy whose father had to frequently cross the border into the United States to make enough money to feed his family. The boy grew to understand that the U.S. was the land of opportunity and with hard work, could be the answer to his dreams of a better life. The young man moved to the U.S., graduated from high school and started working. Then one of his family members asked him if he had considered the military? He went to the recruiter station. The recruiter told him what the military offers Families and that the Army was the best way to achieve his goals. He signed up, but things didn't go smoothly. At first, he rebelled at the system and was busted down to private more than once. He was on his way to being kicked out of the Army, when one of his superiors talked to him and made him understand the Army and its demands within the context of his heritage. That superior stood up for him and he got one last chance to make his Army career a success and he never looked back. That young man was Gabriel Cervantes.
It took someone, Cervantes said, with an appreciation of his heritage and culture to meld the man he was into a Soldier the Army could be proud of. "Without that understanding, a seamless blending could be difficult to attain and that's what Hispanic American Heritage Month and all other cultural celebrations are about," said Cervantes.
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