This year, the theme "Shaping the Bright Future of America," represents Hispanic Americans walking together with those who share in the honor of calling this nation home.

"Hispanics have a long and distinguished heritage in our nation and continue to be an integral part of America and the United States Navy. There are more than 57,000 Hispanic American Sailors, as well as more than 16,000 Hispanic American civilian employees working for the Department of the Navy. Every single one of them making up a very diverse force that makes our country and Navy the most powerful in the world. Our strength is our people and our diversity is something to be celebrated."

The guest speaker for the event was Cmdr. Omar Martinez, executive officer of Naval Station Great Lakes. He told his story of being a child of parents that immigrated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Mexico.

"Hispanics have made enormous contributions to this country throughout its history, and continue to do so today," Martinez said. "It's important to honor and recognize those Sailors who have contributed to the shaping and defense of this great nation. Celebrating the heritage of our Sailor shows how far we have come and brings to light how diverse our Navy is. It also shows that today's Navy is so much more representative of America as a whole, and its diversity is not only one of its greatest achievements, it is one of its greatest strengths."

Following the presentation and dance demonstration, staff enjoyed a lunch of traditional Hispanic food.

Officially, on a national level, contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the U.S. have been celebrated for 48-years. In 1968 President Lyndon B. Johnson set aside a week to celebrate Hispanic heritage, and in 1988 President Ronald Reagan expanded it to cover a 30-day period. On Aug. 17, 1988, under the approval of Public Law, Hispanic Heritage Month became an official observance.

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