More than 200 staff, family members and friends were in attendance at Training Support Center (TSC) Hispanic Heritage Month Fall Picnic event Oct. 4.

This year’s theme is “Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Traditions.” The event was held at Naval Station Great Lake’s Nunn Beach overlooking Lake Michigan.

“Each year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices made by the millions of people who have helped, and continue to help, our Navy be the most powerful in the world,” said Capt. Mark Meskimen, commanding officer of TSC Great Lakes. “The Navy is strengthened by the diversity of its force and patriots of Hispanic American Heritage continue to build legacies of freedom and diversity as they fight for the security of the country.” 

As of June 2018, approximately 59,000 active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the U.S. Navy contributing to the strength of the nation’s force. Hispanic Americans’ military service dates back to the Civil War.

One well-known example is Jorge Farragut who was born on the Spanish island of Minorca and joined the South Carolina Navy in 1779. Remembered as one of the first Hispanic Revolutionary War heroes, he was instrumental in securing a Union victory in New Orleans on April 28, 1862. When Adm. Farragut died in 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant led 10,000 Soldiers and Sailors through the streets of New York during his funeral procession.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an important opportunity for all of us to understand and value not just the incredible contributions of the past, but to celebrate the diversity that unites and makes America’s navy strong,” said Chief Damage Controlman Scott Matusz, command climate specialist at TSC. “Thousands of Hispanic-American service members throughout the world are protecting our nation. Just as in generations past, we honor our Hispanic community—military and civilian—for significantly contributing toward protecting the United States and embodying Navy values that unite us as one team.”

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