Soldiers Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic American 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers clap to music during a Hispanic Heritage month dinner at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq

Hispanic American 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers dance the salsa during a Hispanic Heritage month dinner at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, Oct. 26.

Command Sgt. Maj. James Pearson, from Philadelphia, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George's County, Md., commander, 3rd HBCT, Pfc. Lucero Hernandez-Velasquez, from San Diego, a supply specialist in the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, and Chief Warrant Officer Joaquin Serrano, from Puerto Rico, Headquarters Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, cut the cake during an Hispanic Heritage month dinner Oct. 26 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq. Hernandez-Velasquez was the youngest and Serrano was the oldest Hispanic American to attend the celebration.

by Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division held a Hispanic Heritage month dinner in the FOB Hammer dining facility, Oct. 26.

“Hispanic-Americans have made a difference in today’s world,” said Sgt. 1st Class Laura Reyes, from Miami, Okla., noncommissioned officer in charge of human resources for the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion. “We are ambitious and willing to do what we can to progress.”

Reyes, who coordinated the event, said the dinner is in recognition of heroes. Hispanic-American Soldiers are deployed in Iraq, serving their country and making a difference.

“Hispanic-Americans: making a positive impact on American society,” was the theme of the hour-long celebration.

“We have to work hard to get what we expect,” said Spc. Waleska Rivera-Berrios, from Puerto Rico, Headquarters Company, 3rd BSTB. “Leaving our countries is when everything started. Even though we started from the bottom, we never give up.”

The dinner consisted of traditional Hispanic cuisine such as rice with chicken, steak fajitas, shrimp cocktail, paella, Spanish rice, Mexican cornbread, Spanish king ranch soup, Mexican salad, and sweet rice.

“The food, the music, the decorations; they all brought me back to family gatherings at home,” said Spc. David Dimuro, from Brooklyn, N.Y., Headquarters Company, 3rd BSTB. “The food reminded me of my mom’s cooking.”

The entertainment and decorations were festive and colorful. The Mexican and Puerto Rican flags as well as flags of other Hispanic nations, piñatas, and streamers added to the atmosphere. Soldiers were treated to performances of salsa dancing and Spanish karaoke.

“It was so nice to have a lot of Hispanics together and do something as a group,” Dimuro said. “The decorations were great. Hispanic get-togethers are always colorful, lively, and festive.”

According to Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the Hispanic heritage is built upon fundamental values and is inspiring to him. Grigsby’s wife of 23 years, Cynthia, is Panamanian.

“The Hispanic culture is focused on family, community, big hearts and lively spirit,” Grigsby said.
Maj. Luis Rivera, from Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, guest speaker at the celebration, spoke to the Hispanic-Americans and guests who attended the event.

“As Hispanics, we should strive to better ourselves each day, help one another, and be the best example to our children,” he said. “It is a dual honor not only to be Hispanic but to be an American. I know that Hispanics of this great brigade, like me, are proud of the things we have accomplished, but more importantly look forward to what we will accomplish as Hispanic-Americans in the future.”

The 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.