ASC colonel lauds Hispanic contribution at community ceremony

By Kevin Fleming, ASC Public AffairsOctober 16, 2015

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Rev. Fredi Gomez prepares to ring a bell while standing next to Col. James Baker, G-2 (Intelligence), U.S. Army Sustainment Command, at the League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10's National Hispanic Heritage Month closing event in Le... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. James Baker, G-2 (Intelligence), U.S. Army Sustainment Command, speaks at the League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10's National Hispanic Heritage Month closing event in LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, Oct. 15. (Photo by Kevin Fl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 93 placed seven wreaths in the Mississippi River in honor of the U.S. military at the League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10's National Hispanic Heritage Month closing event in LeClaire P... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. James Baker, G-2 (Intelligence), U.S. Army Sustainment Command, meets with members of the community following the League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10's National Hispanic Heritage Month closing event in LeClaire Park, Davenpor... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299 stand at attention as one of their members plays taps following their 21-gun salute at the League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10's National Hispanic Heritage Month closing event in LeClair... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Col. James Baker, G-2 (Intelligence), U.S. Army Sustainment Command, spoke about the contributions of Hispanic Americans in U.S. military history at a community event in LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, Oct. 15.

The event was held to recognize the closing of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Baker talked about how Hispanic service members contribute to the nation both in and out of uniform.

"Not only have many of these brave military personnel served with honor on hallowed battlefields, stood the midnight watch, guarded the boundaries of freedom, and provided assistance to the poor and destitute, many continued to contribute to our nation after they took off the uniform," he said.

Baker spoke of nine different notable Hispanic American service members who served, and some who still serve, during different periods throughout history. Some of these included Brig. Gen. Stephen Vincent Benét, chief of U.S. Army Ordnance Corps following the Civil War in 1874; Master Sgt. Raul (Roy) Benavidez; Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Vietnam War; and Warrant Officer Marisol Chalas, the current commander of a fleet of Army Reserve Black Hawk helicopters.

Volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 93 placed seven floral wreaths in the Mississippi River in honor of the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Merchant Marine, and those missing in action and prisoners of war. Rev. Fredi Gomez rang a bell for every wreath placed in the nation's largest river.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens Council 10 (LULAC) hosted the event. According to the LULAC national website, it was founded in 1929 and is the oldest national Hispanic civil rights organization in the nation.

Local LULAC Counsel 10 is 56 years old and supports the community in many ways, like offering annual scholarships, donating to local schools and partnering with military services for events.

Matt Casillas, president of LULAC Counsel 10 in Davenport, said he liked Baker's speech.

"I hope that attendees recognize why we do this; it is in recognition of the contributions that Hispanic Americans have given to the United States over the years," he said. "And I think that Col. Baker did an excellent job of highlighting those contributions. That's what National Hispanic Heritage Month is all about."

Maria Llaca, community events coordinator, LULAC Counsel 10, said that the event was intended to specifically recognize the military.

"We as Hispanics take pride in saying that we walked with you, we ran with you and we fought with you to protect this country," she said.

Retired Capt. William Albright, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, spoke briefly at the event about the importance of remembering the service of those who fought in the Vietnam War and others.

The American Legion Post 200 provided the color guard, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299 provided a 21-gun salute and played taps for the event. The Quad Cities Patriot Guard also participated.

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