Whidbey Island Celebrates Hispanic American Heritage Month

USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, At sea (NNS) -- Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen deployed aboard amphibious dock-landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month during a ceremony on the ship's mess deck, Oct. 3.

The ship's Diversity Committee organized the event to expose crewmembers to different aspects of Hispanic culture and the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans.

"The reason we have events like this is not to learn the history of countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico or Uruguay," said Cmdr. Eric L. Conzen, commanding officer, in his opening remarks. "It isn't even to remind Sailors and Marines of the many famous Hispanic military members who have gone before us, although that is a pretty good side benefit. It is to celebrate our own diversity together. We use gatherings like this, and the wonderful special meals like the culinary specialists prepared for us tonight, to share the different parts of our American culture. At the end of the day, we're all Americans and our diversity makes us stronger."

The celebration began a few weeks ago when members of the committee decorated the mess deck and played Hispanic-influenced music during meal times. Flags from every Hispanic country were hung along the main meal line, and biographies of influential Hispanic Americans lined the walls near most tables.

"I wanted people to walk away from meals having learned something about Hispanic heritage," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Mitchell Treherne, a member of the diversity committee who played a key role in planning and decorating for the event. "By placing colored paper over the fluorescent lighting on the mess deck and playing the music, we were able to create a warmer environment. We wanted it to feel more like what you'd experience at a family-oriented Hispanic restaurant or home."

Prior to the ceremony, members of the diversity committee helped the ship's cooks prepare the evening meal to include Hispanic-influenced dishes such as "arroz con pollo," chicken and rice, Mexican corn, spicy chicken soup and Peruvian salad.

"I helped cook for the celebration, making Peruvian salad, 'Ensalada Peruana,' my traditional family recipe," said Machinery Repairman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Lady Milla, a member of the diversity committee. "I wanted to be involved in Hispanic heritage because my dad struggled to get here, and left everything behind in Peru, including me and my mother, and we did the same when we decided to come here when I was seven. I think it's important to celebrate this month because there are so many different cultures in the Navy, and it's because of diversity that we all make it what it is today. We must all respect each other's backgrounds and to do so, it's important to know where this background comes from and what it's about; the dancing, the food, the language."

After the opening remarks from the commanding officer, the ship's chaplain gave an invocation, and all in attendance stood for the national snthem. A few Hispanic American members of the crew also shared their family's story of immigration to the U.S., and what challenges they faced to get to where they are today.

Following the speakers, Treherne and Milla performed the meringue, a traditional dance that is performed at many Hispanic family parties.

"Since I don't have any Hispanic influence in my heritage, and Milla is from Peru, we thought the dance would be a great way to represent two cultures coming together," said Treherne. "We also wanted to provide a bit of entertainment for the crew during the celebration."

The celebration wrapped up with cake and ice cream, music and dancing by crew members.

Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd41/.