Fort Hood observes Hispanic Heritage Month

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The III Corps and Fort Hood Equal Opportunity Office and 3rd Cavalry Regiment will host a Hispanic Heritage Month observance from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Phantom Warrior Center here.

All Fort Hood Soldiers, Families and civilians are invited to help celebrate the culture and accomplishments Hispanic Americans have brought to our nation.

Attendees will enjoy music from local Hispanic Band Noche Kandela and remarks from guest speaker retired Col. Raul G. Villaronga, former mayor of Killeen.

The observance started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

The day of Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for 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. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30-day period.

In addition to the event at the Phantom Warrior Center, all Fort Hood dining facilities will serve Hispanic cuisine.

Media desiring to cover this event should call III Corps Public Affairs Office at (254) 287-0106 or (254) 287-9993 no later than 4 p.m. Sept. 23.

On the day of the event, media should meet in the south-side parking lot of the Fort Hood visitor's center at 1 p.m.