MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Members of Team MacDill gathered for a luncheon in recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, Oct. 13, 2016 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
The luncheon included musicians, dancers, foods from Hispanic cultures and historical facts about the month.
“Hispanic Heritage month celebrations began on Sept. 15, which is the anniversary of independence in 1968 of five Latin American countries; Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Dirr, an aerospace medical technician assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squadron.
During the lunch on base, a local Tampa dance studio provided Hispanic and Latin American dance lessons to guests with live music. The luncheon even attracted coalition partners from U.S. Central Command, to include service members from Belize and the Republic of Korea, who came to experience the Hispanic culture.
“Hispanic-Americans really laid the foundation to who we are as a country today,” said Dirr. “The U.S., being a combination of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds, is a place where dreams are made and even the humblest beginnings spring generations of leaders, friends, family and loved ones.”
The luncheon provided a look into Hispanic culture, and helped promote diversity in the Air Force, explained Master Sgt. Melida Hernandez, an emergency manager with the 6th Medical Group.
“Diversity surrounds us in the Air Force,” said Hernandez. “Everyone wears the same uniform, but the Airmen under it are unique. With this, we’re strengthened by each Airman’s personal point of view.”
Editor’s note: For further reading into Hispanic Heritage from other MacDill Airmen, see these articles - Staff Sgt. Alejandra Laguna / Staff Sgt. Kayla Gonzalez