Hispanics celebrate a shared heritage that enriches U.S.

Americans take time out of their busy schedules Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to reflect on the ways Hispanics have influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Hopefully, it is not just because it’s a congressional order, but because people in the U.S. sincerely recognize and value the contributions made by this large segment of our society — more than 60 million people — to our nation’s character and moral compass.

When we talk about Hispanics — some prefer the term Latinos — we are referring to much more than the Mexican or Mexican American component that, for its size and historical circumstances, deserves distinct consideration. The congressional order also is intended to recognize and appreciate the talents and contributions gifted to our nation by those from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Spain. This much was recognized by retired Col. Gil Coronado, a native San Antonian who was the driving force behind the expansion of this celebration from a week to a month, which was signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Coronado went on to become deputy assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs and later director of the Selective Service System.

Interestingly enough, the celebration highlights the cultural legacy left in place by the Spaniards after almost four centuries of dominance over a vast portion of the Western Hemisphere. The dominions of the Spanish crown included a significant segment of today’s U.S. territory. No wonder then, even after Spain’s forced departure from the area, its legacy remains vibrant and influential throughout the continent, including in our country.

University of Notre Dame professor Felipe FernándezArmesto, in his book “Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States,” postulates that the history of this country unfolded in a twofold-directional track, with the Anglo East-West expansionist trajectory intersecting with the North-South axis formed by the colonization movement of the Spaniards, who had been in this part of America even before the British subjects’ war for independence from England. Spain supported the revolutionaries. Hence, the author insists, the Hispanic presence on this territory is not the result of immigrants in search of a country with a fully formed culture on its eastern seaboard. Much to the contrary, “Hispanics belong in the entire story of the country — as part of its origins and part of every important episode in its unfolding.”

Perhaps more than any other city in Texas, San Antonio has become a cultural melting pot for Hispanics. Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, Panamanians, Colombians, Peruvians, Argentines, Uruguayans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Chileans, Ecuadorians, Venezuelans, Bolivians and, again, Spaniards offer the city an enviable cultural kaleidoscope of meaningful contributions. The beauty of Hispanic heritage resides in its diversity and the symbolism we use individually to capture the essence of history, beliefs, customs and traditions. This differs idiosyncratically from group to group. In the aggregate, however, we form an enriching and compelling force in the arts, education, music and gastronomy of our city.

Equally significant is the fact that here in Military City, USA, in addition to the respectable number of Mexican American service members, there is a large population of active and retired military men and women from these culturally aligned groups that have and still serve this country with pride and distinction.

In 2014, five local Puerto Rican military veterans who served in the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as The Borinqueneers, along with other members of the regiment, were presented the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. This is the highest civilian honor the Congress can bestow, and lawmakers recognized and honored these veterans, as a unit, for pioneering military service, devotion to duty and their many acts of valor during the Korean War.

Indeed, their proud gallantry resonates loudly with this year’s theme for the celebration: “Hispanic: Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future.”

Our nation’s character is anchored in diversity. We would not be the leading country we are today if it weren’t for the incredible resourcefulness of our diverse population. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s embrace and appreciate its sociocultural value at its fullest.

¡Viva la Hispanidad!

Jaime Vazquez is a retired Air Force colonel who served as the commandant of the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) at Lackland AFB.