DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Desert Lightning Team Airmen are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, the yearly appreciation of the heritage and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
On the authority of the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers, the theme for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Hispanic Americans: Energizing Our Nations’ Diversity.” The involvement Hispanic Americans have had on the nation’s culture is especially highlighted in this observance.
In 1968, the observance was started by President Lyndon Johnson. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observation to a 30-day period.
The anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua is September 15, 2015. Additionally, Mexico declared its independence Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18, and Belize on Sept. 21.
D-M’s Hispanic Heritage Committee is sponsoring five events to raise awareness of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The committee already held had a food tasting for DLT members to come and enjoy homemade traditional Hispanic food. Volunteers also visited Casa de los Niños, a children crisis center, where they made arts and crafts and read books to local children.
There are three more events for DLT members to get involved.
Sept. 30, a cooking class is scheduled to occur at the Health and Wellness Center from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Those who sign up to participate will learn to make authentic “Mexican Green Chile con Carne.”
“Latin Night,” scheduled for Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Mirage Club, is an opportunity for free dance lessons.
The closing event for the observance is “Zumba-thon: a Latin Fitness Party,” scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Tech. Sgt. Arthur J. Benko Fitness and Sports Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Gloria Westbrook, 355th Fighter Wing Staff command chief executive assistant, at 228-3559 or Tech. Sgt. Heather Martinez, 355th Fighter Wing Staff NCO in charge of Command Post operations, at 228-7400.
