Hispanic Heritage Month activities kick off

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs


 

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Eglin’s Hispanic Heritage Month activities kicked off at an opening event Sept. 19.

“This a great opportunity to represent my roots,” said Lt. Col. Javier Escobar, an El Paso, Texas native of Mexican descent, now with the Air Force Research Laboratory advanced concepts division chief, during his opening remarks.

Escobar said he’s participated in several Hispanic Heritage Month events at different duty stations over his 18-year career.  He said he drew from the experiences of many Latinos he met along the way. 

He said he is excited about the month’s events, which include dance classes, bilingual book readings to child development center children, a Hispanic-themed movie night and a 1.5-mile run.  Anyone with base access can participate.

“I’m glad this annual observance continues on,” he said.  “Inclusiveness in all of the events is important.”

In closing, Escobar encouraged the audience to learn and grow as a community.

“It’s not always easy,” he said.  “On more than one occasion, I’ve been in a room where I’m the only one who looks like me, and that’s ok.  Events like this remind us that we have so much to share.  Our experiences and ideas make the whole more than the sum of its parts.”