Fort Hood celebrates Hispanic culture, contributions

Staff Sgt. Johnathan Hoover

2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division hosted the III Corps Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Sept. 22, at the Phantom Warrior Center on here to highlight the contributions Hispanics have brought to the country and the Army.As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it serves as a celebration for all the contributions by those of Hispanic heritage to this great country we know as the United States," said Mayor Jose Segarra, guest speaker and mayor of the City of Killeen, Texas.

"The biggest thing about today is celebrating the diversity of all the Soldiers that are inside the US Army," said Lt. Col. David Diaz, commander of 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd ABCT. "Their contribution's makes us the strongest team in the world based on the individual things they bring to the team their from their heritage."

Segarra spoke of the long history Hispanics have had on America, it's defense and the major impact it has had on our history.

"Hispanics have had a major impact on the course of US history and have played major roles in several key events since the War of Independence," said Segarra, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Segarra said, "during the Revolutionary war, as the morale and financial conditions of the American army fell dangerously low, the colonists sent a representative to seek funds in Cuba. The money needed was collected in five hours from the public treasury and from private citizens in Havana. It was this money that helped finance the Battle of Yorktown, the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. A footnote to history is that the women of Havana made this collection possible by contributing their jewelry to the cause."

"Hispanics can also be proud of the efforts of Hispanics like Juan de Miralles Trailhon and General Bernardo de Galvez who's contributions to the revolutionary war played a key role and were noted by General George Washington," said Segarra. "After the war, because of the generous assistance that Galvez gave Americans who wanted to settle Texas, they named one of their cities after him, known as Galveston, Texas."

Segarra said, "not many are aware of the 4,000 Spanish soldiers who died as prisoners of war on English prison ships in New York Harbor after being captured while fighting for American independence."

"This early dedication to the American cause has continued as Hispanics throughout our history have participated in the defense of the United States, just as so many do here today," said Zegarra.

Segarra said, the celebration also enables the Hispanic culture to become aware of all that is capable in this great country no matter what your background is and instills a sense of pride in a heritage that has had a tremendous impact on helping build this country to what it is today.

"This is a fantastic event, we had an opportunity to recognize the Hispanic culture and the contributions Hispanic Soldiers have made to our Army's culture and defense of our military over time," said Diaz.

Hispanics are not just one nationality or just one culture but many diverse people within a culture. Hispanics are not a race but an ethnicity, said Segarra speaking of the origin of Hispanics.

"Hispanic Americans come from all over the world. They come from Europe, Africa, Asia and all of South and Central America. Hispanics are the offspring of Spain, but then that's where we start to separate into our own different cultures. Hispanics in the U.S. have ties to so many countries and cultures. That is why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage in September because it is the celebration of the anniversary for independence of some of those Hispanic countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile).

"Mayor Segarra's comments really resonated with me. My families heritage's origins come from Spain by way of Northern Mexico," said Diaz.

"I for one consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to have grown up in this great country where we have the freedom to decide our own destiny, make our own choices of who we want to be and what we want to do with our lives," said Segarra, also a military veteran.

The event featured several other attractions such as a performance from the 1st Cavalry Division Band newly formed Latin Band. A dance performance and cultural percussion instruction by Sensei Erika Nicole, owner of a local dance school in Killeen.

Nicole walked the audience through the different steps of many types of Hispanic dances and the event finished with a solo song performance by 1st Lt. Rolesta Brooks, 36th Engineer Brigade, singing "Como La Flor." by American singer, Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

In honor of the Hispanic Heritage Month, the day prior to this event, Soldiers at the Black Jack Dining Facility served a meal that included traditional favorites such as caldo de res con verduras, carne asada tacos, ropa vieja, elote, and arroz con pollo, arroz con gandules. The meal finished with a choice of desserts such as Tres Leche Cake. Flan and Churros.

The "Black Jack" brigade Soldiers also provided a small buffet style meal following the event featuring traditional Hispanic foods.

160922-A-3857H-415.jpg

Mayor Jose Segarra, City of Killeen, Texas, speaks at the America Hispanic Heritage month celebration at the Phantom Warrior Center, Fort Hood, Texas on Sep 22. The event was hosted by III Corps, Fort Hood, 1st Cavalry Division and the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and included music, dancing and a sampling of traditional foods.

(U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Eileen Hernandez, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)

160922-A-3857H-387.jpg

Chief Warrant Officer Karla Smith, mistress of ceremonies and brigade movement officer, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, narrated interesting facts about each country represented as 2ABCT Soldier's walked out onto the stage on Sep 22 at the Phantom Warrior Center, Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Eileen Hernandez, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)

160922-A-3857H-418.jpg

Right to Left, Hyung Choi, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade and Lt. Col. David Diaz, 1-9 CAV battalion commander, and Erika Nicole, owner of Black Belt Salsa Killeen, listen to the City of Killeen Mayor, Jose Segarra, speak about the many contributions Hispanic people have made to the United States military. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Eileen Hernandez, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)

160922-A-3857H-278.jpg

Black Jack Dining Facility served a meal that included traditional favorites in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sep 21. They served caldo de res con verduras, carne asada tacos, ropa vieja, elote, and arroz con pollo, arroz con gandules. The meal finished with a choice of desserts such as Tres Leche Cake. Flan and Churros. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Eileen Hernandez, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)

160922-A-3857H-284.jpg

Black Jack Dining Facility prepared a Tres Leche Cake in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Along with this cake, Soldiers enjoyed a traditional meal on Sep 21. "I grew up eating all of these types of foods," said Pfc. Oscar Hernandez, baker, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Eileen Hernandez, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)