Fort Bragg Soldiers celebrate
Hispanic Heritage Month

by Paula M. Fitzgerald
Paraglide

	photo by Dawn Elizabeth Pandoliano/Paraglide Omariya McEachern, 11, and Yadira Blair perform Panamanian dances during Hispanic Heritage Month observance at Ritz Epps Physical Fitness Center Thursday.

On Oct. 8, Soldiers from the 44th Medical Command hosted “Living in Many Worlds,” an event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Master Sgt. Luis Aviles, a Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native, emceed the celebration, which was held during lunchtime at the Ritz-Epps Physical Sports Complex.

According to Aviles, the term “Hispanic” refers to people who share Spanish as their common language. “Latino” and “latina” are also accepted when referring to a person of Hispanic decent.

“This is an opportunity for Hispanics to come together and show to everyone that we have unique cultures,” said Aviles, who is the 44th Medical Command clinical operations noncommissioned-officer-in-charge.

Aviles also explained, “Hispanics encompass a lot of different countries, with a lot of different cultures. There are differences that other people don’t understand, but we are trying to teach.”
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Aviles said one of the major differences he has learned between Americans and Puerto Ricans concerns respect.

“When I was a boy, if I looked into my mother’s eyes when she spoke to me, that was a sign of disrespect,” he said. “In America, if you don’t look in your parents’ eyes when they talk to you, then that is disrespectful. A Soldier from Puerto Rico might not look in your eyes when you address him. He’s not doing anything wrong because that is his culture.”

To help teach about Hispanic culture, the audience was invited to partake in authentic Hispanic cuisine, which included chicken, beef, chips and salsa, rice, beans, melon and cake.

While lunch was being served, the Bordonúa y Más dance group demonstrated Puerto Rican dances and Valle de la Luna showed off Panamanian dances.

One spectator, Spc. Debbra Meadows, dental hygienist with 44th Medical Command, became part of the show during a dance by Bordonúa y Más. She was asked to dance with one of the entertainers.

“I came here today because I wanted to celebrate Hispanic culture,” she said. “It’s important to celebrate diversity, especially in the United States.”