Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka headquarters celebrated cultural diversity during a Hispanic Heritage Month event, Oct. 8, at Yokosuka Naval Base.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

"In our Navy, Hispanics have played an integral role in every single war in our nation's history," said Capt. Raymond Bichard, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka commanding officer. "They have served as ordinary seamen, 4-star admirals, fighter pilots, ship drivers, nuclear engineers and, yes, even Supply professionals."

"They have stood not on the fringes of the Service, but at its core, as makers of American Naval history," Bichard added.

The U.S. Navy conducts activities in observance of nine specified diversity-related groups, events or individuals throughout the year.

These special observances are conducted to recognize the continuous achievements of all Americans to American culture and to increase awareness, mutual respect and understanding. They are designed to enhance cross-cultural awareness and promote harmony among all military members, their families and the civilian workforce.

Throughout the day's celebration, much of the history and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans in society were highlighted and all participants were treated to traditional music performances with origins from the Andes Mountains.

Peruvian and Bolivian musicians played several tribal instruments that had first been heard during the days of the Inca Empire.

"From the small outpost of San Francisco founded in the desolate wilderness of Alta California in 1776 to the fortress of St. Augustine in Florida, which was the first continuous European settlement in North America, founded in 1565, forty-two years before the English landed in Jamestown, Virginia," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Oscar Vargas, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Regional Services Department (Code 400) petty officer and educational reader for the Hispanic Heritage event. "There has been a long and important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans in North America."

The celebration culminated with a cake cutting event and the nearly 100 guests enjoyed a feast of authentic Hispanic food dishes.

"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 today that unites and makes not only this command stronger but makes our Navy the true global force for good that it is," said Bichard. "A very special thanks to our Multi-Cultural Committee, whose hard work and efforts, make these types of events possible."

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), is the Western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, headquartered just 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites from Misawa, Japan to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to serve the Asia Pacific Region's forward deployed maritime warfighter with around-the-clock logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing an array of integrated global logistics and contracting services from 110 locations worldwide to Navy and Joint operational units across all warfare enterprises.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.