MacDill celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

The poster depicts Staff Sgt. Ladislao “L.C.” Castro, the assistant engineer and waist door .50 caliber gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber named “T-Bar” of the "Flying Eightballs" in the 506th Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. We celebrate him in correlation with National Hispanic Heritage Month, formerly known as Hispanic Heritage Week, has been celebrated for more than 50 years and dates back to 1968. In 1988, during the President Ronald Reagan administration the observance period, that was once only a week extended to a month and received its new name. Since then, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins every 15th of September and ends the 15th of October. During this month members pay respect to the Americans who sacrificed themselves for this nation. (Graphic by Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute)

Depicted in the poster is Sergeant Consuelo Mary Hartsell. She left the service in 1946. The sisters were sent to boot camp at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the only sisters and the only Latinos in the camp. Both were assigned office jobs at the Depot of Supplies of the 1st Marine Division in San Francisco. Hartsell was assigned a desk job overseeing supplies shipped to and from overseas.She was awarded American Campaign and World War II victory medals, as well as recognition for her honorable service.We celebrate her in correlation with National Hispanic Heritage Month, formerly known as Hispanic Heritage Week, has been celebrated for more than 50 years and dates back to 1968. In 1988, during the President Ronald Reagan administration the observance period, that was once only a week extended to a month and received its new name. Since then, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins every 15th of September and ends the 15th of October. During this month members pay respect to the Americans who sacrificed themselves for this nation. (Graphic by Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute)

Depicted in the poster is Corporal Julius Casarez. In June of 1942, Casarez was sent via Africa to India, to serve as part of the 703rd Special Forces, a machine-gun battalion.We recognize him in correlation with National Hispanic Heritage Month, formerly known as Hispanic Heritage Week, has been celebrated for more than 50 years and dates back to 1968. In 1988, during the President Ronald Reagan administration the observance period, that was once only a week extended to a month and received its new name. Since then, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins every 15th of September and ends the 15th of October. During this month members pay respect to the Americans who sacrificed themselves for this nation. (Graphic by Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute)

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, MacDill AFB will observe and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when the contribution of Hispanic Americans who have served and are serving now are recognized. The observance started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson's administration as a one-week celebration called Hispanic Heritage Week. Years later, President Ronald Reagan proposed extending this celebration into a month-long event. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, officially designating the 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Honoring Hispanic Americans – Essential to the Blueprint of Our Nation.” Many Hispanics have marched for social justice, defended our country, and helped advance America’s journey toward an ideal nation by sharing a dream of equality and limitless opportunity. They have defied social and cultural stereotypes throughout many generations and have become pioneers in their respective fields. (Graphic by Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute)