DVIDS – News – Fort McCoy’s 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month is all about cultural cuisine and celebrating culture.

Fort McCoy held its 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Oct. 10 in Building 905 at Fort McCoy, where dozens of members of the installation community attended to hear from Garrison Commander Col. Sheila Baez-Ramirez and enjoy free traditional cultural foods.

“Thank you everyone for coming here today,” Baez-Ramirez said. “When we look at society today, it’s great that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month here. Not only for all of history, for all that Latinos have done for our military, for all the contributions that Latinos have made to the military, but also for all the changes that it has brought to our society.

“As we look to the future and look at our community from the inside, the actions that many of these soldiers, many of these officers and many of these soldiers took many years ago were the first step to begin closing the bridge and closing the gap that we still have today we see in society,” said the colonel. “The reason the military celebrates Hispanic Heritage, Asian Pacific Heritage Month and all these other holidays is because in today’s society we have to remind people that even if our skin color is different, even if we look different. we have a common goal.”

Baez-Ramirez also said it’s good to bring people together and celebrate, especially with food.

“I think trying different cuisines from different countries is always great to bring people together,” Baez-Ramirez said. “And you will be able to get out of the office and relax. When you sit here, even if the same colleagues are working in your field and you are eating, the environment is different. You relax a little and eat. You do things that are a little different. We want to keep things professional, but we want to give you the opportunity to spend time with your colleagues. You probably spend more time here with your colleagues.

“So, thank you to everyone who took the time to come here today,” she said. “I couldn’t be the first female Latina commander (of the Fort McCoy garrison) … and let this celebration pass by without making an effort to organize a little event. We (also) had one of our tenants (181st Multifunctional Training Brigade) help us put on this great event. So let’s give our team a round of applause.”

Sergeant 1st Class Joshua Cantor, 181st Equal Opportunity Advisor, served as master of ceremonies for the official portion of the event. Chaplain (Major) Carlos Ruiz, also assigned to the 181st, also gave the invocation and benediction for the event.

Many participants said they were full. Dozens of meals were brought by military personnel and employees of the Fort McCoy garrison, as well as tenant organizations.

According to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) 2024 press release for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the celebration provides an opportunity to learn more about Hispanic culture and more.

“From September 15 to October 15, the Department of Defense celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the rich history, traditions and cultural diversity of the Hispanic/Latino community,” the release states. “This holiday honors inspiring Americans who trace their origins or ancestry to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America and other Spanish cultures. This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” embodies the innovative and resilient spirit of the Latino community.

“This highlights the unity that has been instrumental in paving the way for future generations,” the press release said. “This theme is illustrated by the lives of three outstanding men: Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez, a U.S. Medal of Honor recipient whose acts of valor went above and beyond the call of duty; US Navy Captain Mary Angela Sanabria Catson, whose mentorship has been a beacon of leadership and inspiration; and Private 1st Class Roberto Clemente, a Major League Baseball legend whose sportsmanship and dedication to community service continue to inspire. These individuals represent the many ways Hispanics/Latinos have contributed and enriched our society.”

History shows that President Lyndon B. Johnson officially established Hispanic Heritage Week on September 17, 1968. In 1988, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan, Hispanic Heritage Week was extended to a full month, as shown on the DEOMI website.

“Why in the middle of the month? Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate Independence Day on September 15; Mexico – September 16; In Chile – September 18; and Belize’s Independence Day is September 21,” noted DEOMI representatives. “The month continues through October and includes Dia de la Raza Day, October 12, which celebrates the fusion of Hispanic races (razas) and culture. … As of July 1, 2023, the Hispanic population in the United States was 65.2 million, making it the largest racial or ethnic minority in the country.”

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and other events through DEOMI by visiting their website at https://www.deomi.mil.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/FMPAO, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy”, on Flickr at at https:// /www.flickr.com/photos/fortmccoywi and on X (formerly Twitter) by searching “usagmccoy”.

Also try downloading the My Army Post app on your smartphone and setting Fort McCoy or another installation as your preferred base. Fort McCoy is also part of the Army Facilities Management Command, where “We Are the Home of the Army.”