CNO: Shipmates, CNO Gilday here with my wife Linda. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements of Hispanic Americans and recognize their incredible contributions to our Navy and to our Nation.

Linda: Hispanic Heritage Month is an important reminder of how much strength we draw from our diversity as a Nation of immigrants. 

CNO: Today, Hispanic Americans are the second largest minority group in the Navy with more than 65,000 Sailors serving across the Fleet. 

Linda: From Central America to Europe to South America and beyond, the heritage and traditions Hispanic Americans bring to this country enrich all of us.

CNO: Hispanic Americans have a proud tradition of service, and they have left an enduring mark on our Navy. Indeed, their service is an inspiration to all of us.

Linda: Sailors like Rear Adm. Lore Aguayo, who became the first female officer to oversee Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Atlantic, and is also dual-hatted as the U.S. Fleet Forces Civil Engineer. Amazing. 

CNO: Or Yamil Candelario who served as the Administrative Leading Chief Petty Officer for two Chiefs of Naval Operations, and was commissioned last year as an LDO.

Linda: And of course, our 78th Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, and his wife Betty.

CNO: Hispanic Americans are also the namesakes of several ships that represent America around the globe like the USS Rafael Peralta, USS Farragut, and the USNS Cesar Chavez. 

Linda (In Spanish): ¡Gracias a todos los marineros hispanos que han hecho de nuestra Marina de los Estados Unidos lo que es hoy!

(Thank you to all the Hispanic Sailors who make our U.S. Navy what it is today!)

CNO: Well said Linda. And we’ll see you in the Fleet, Shipmates