Events on tap to spotlight Hispanic Heritage Month Published Sept. 8, 2009 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Maxwell-Gunter community will celebrate strength in diversity during Hispanic Heritage Month, which will be observed on base Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The theme of this year's celebrations is "Embracing the Fierce Urgency of Now with the Contributions of Hispanics of Today." The goal of the celebration is "Just a lot of fellowship," said Tech. Sgt. Hortencia Crutcher, one of the members of the organizational committee. "We want to bring some attention to the diversity of Hispanic culture, and we're inviting the base community to celebrate." The celebration will launch with an opening ceremony Sept. 15, 2 to 3 p.m., at the Maxwell Event Center. Punctuated by food and fun, the event will also provide the base populace with a chance to learn more about Hispanic culture and noteworthy Hispanics. Tech. Sgt. Juan Medina will make a presentation about a Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient, and Sergeant Crutcher will highlight Hispanic entertainers. A Hispanic-themed meal will be available Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverfront Inn as well as the Aviation Inn dining facilities. The menu will include: Chicken quesadillas, Taco Lasagna, pork chops Mexicana, Santa Fe baked white fish, lemon rice Hispaniola, Spanish-style beans, Mexican corn, vegetable combo, chili gravy, Cuban sandwich, taco bar and Mexican cornbread. A luncheon will also be held Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Maxwell Officers' Club. "The main thing is we want people to come out and enjoy the experiences," said Sergeant Medina. "We also want to give them awareness. It should be fun for the whole family." The events will highlight the diversity of Hispanic cultures shared by people across the globe, notably in Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South American countries. "We speak the same language, but we have such different cultures and different histories," said Sergeant Crutcher. "We're building partnerships, awareness and friendships so that people of different cultures can embrace each other," said Sergeant Medina. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week on September 1968 to celebrate the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration, Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.