ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Hispanic history and culture were celebrated during the Aberdeen Proving Ground annual observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month at the APG North (Aberdeen) recreation center Oct. 3.
The keynote speaker, Acting Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, encouraged the audience to seize opportunities.
"These (cultural) events serve to show us not how different we are, but how similar we are," he said. "Opportunity inspired our ancestors to come here and take a chance on liberty and freedom."
Perez said that all of our ancestors had the courage and the vision to succeed, to make America a great country.
He said that his ambitious, hardworking grandparents inspired him and gave him the motivation to succeed. His grandfather, who grew up during the Great Depression, told him to never say "I can't" and to seize every opportunity.
"This generation said if you don't have it, build it, if it is broken, fix it. If life gets hard, get tough," Perez said. "If life gets harder, get tougher, and they did."
Perez added that Medal of Honor Recipient Raul (Roy) Benavidez, of Hispanic descent, is another personal hero of his.
Benavidez, a former Green Beret sergeant rescued at least eight men during the Vietnam War, despite incurring numerous severe wounds during the process.
"There is someone who refused to say can't," Perez said. "It is that indomitable spirit."
Perez said while some people believe that greatness is a matter of circumstances and luck, he believes that greatness is a matter of conscious choices and discipline.
"It is about taking those opportunities to better yourself, taking the opportunities to make our nation (….) our Armed Forces the best they can be."
The program, hosted by U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, also included educational performances by D4C and a Latino dance team from Aberdeen High School. After the program, attendees were treated to samplings of traditional Hispanic food and displays that highlighted the clothing, art and history of Hispanic cultures.
"I feel privileged to serve in the American military, which takes time to celebrate the diversity that makes our country great," said Sgt. Maj. Robert Wojtaszczyk, from the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, after the program.
"I think it's important to celebrate different cultures. These events give you a better understanding of your community, your neighbors," said Christopher Davis, a junior from Aberdeen High School. "They give you a broader understanding of where other people are coming from."
The celebration also included the National Anthem sung in English by Judith Jones from the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command and in Spanish by Rachel Acevedo, from the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center. ATEC Chaplain Assistant Sgt. 1st Class William Benjamin gave the invocation in English and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Chaplain Assistant Staff Sgt. Carlos Vasquez gave the invocation in Spanish. Commanding General of ATEC Maj. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco gave closing remarks.
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