NPS Community Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
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U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Lewis Hunsaker
NPS Community Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
By MC1 Lewis Hunsaker
Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Carcamo addresses students, faculty and staff during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration held on the Herrmann Hall sun deck, Oct. 4. Each year, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the U.S. Navy joins the nation in celebrating the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans, citizens with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to stand amongst you today as a first and third generation Cuban and Salvadorian American serving in the U.S. Navy,” said guest speaker Carcamo. “My mother’s family fled Cuba in the late 1950s as Fidel Castro established his dictatorship.
“My father was born and raised in Santa Ana, El Salvador, where conditions were rough due to limited resources in a household of five kids,” continued Carcamo.
In 1979, tensions and unrest in El Salvador over inequality boiled over into a 12-year civil war.
“My dad was in a movie theater with his friends when Salvadorian soldiers rounded up all the boys at gunpoint, threatening to kill their families if they didn’t comply,” said Carcamo. “During basic training my dad escaped, and at the age of 14, he began a perilous journey by himself through Guatemala and Mexico to family in Los Angeles.”
Carcamo expressed great pride in his Hispanic heritage, and in the sacrifices his parents made to build a better life for their family.
“Since our founding, our nation has drawn great strength from the diversity of our people,” said Carcamo. “With faith, passion, a sturdy work ethic, and a devotion to family, Hispanics have helped carry forward a vibrant beacon of opportunity to all.”
In 2015, Hispanic Americans had the largest gains of any group in median income and reduction in poverty, and high school graduation rates continue to rise.
“Our nation’s story began with immigration,” Carcamo said. “Instead of bashing our newcomers, let’s all step up to support the integration of immigrants and refugees into our communities … Let us reaffirm our commitment to expanding opportunities and building an even brighter future for all.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Carcamo addresses students, faculty and staff during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration held on the Herrmann Hall sun deck, Oct. 4. Each year, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the U.S. Navy joins the nation in celebrating the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans, citizens with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to stand amongst you today as a first and third generation Cuban and Salvadorian American serving in the U.S. Navy,” said guest speaker Carcamo. “My mother’s family fled Cuba in the late 1950s as Fidel Castro established his dictatorship.
“My father was born and raised in Santa Ana, El Salvador, where conditions were rough due to limited resources in a household of five kids,” continued Carcamo.
In 1979, tensions and unrest in El Salvador over inequality boiled over into a 12-year civil war.
“My dad was in a movie theater with his friends when Salvadorian soldiers rounded up all the boys at gunpoint, threatening to kill their families if they didn’t comply,” said Carcamo. “During basic training my dad escaped, and at the age of 14, he began a perilous journey by himself through Guatemala and Mexico to family in Los Angeles.”
Carcamo expressed great pride in his Hispanic heritage, and in the sacrifices his parents made to build a better life for their family.
“Since our founding, our nation has drawn great strength from the diversity of our people,” said Carcamo. “With faith, passion, a sturdy work ethic, and a devotion to family, Hispanics have helped carry forward a vibrant beacon of opportunity to all.”
In 2015, Hispanic Americans had the largest gains of any group in median income and reduction in poverty, and high school graduation rates continue to rise.
“Our nation’s story began with immigration,” Carcamo said. “Instead of bashing our newcomers, let’s all step up to support the integration of immigrants and refugees into our communities … Let us reaffirm our commitment to expanding opportunities and building an even brighter future for all.”