WRITTEN BY: PFC HAON PARK

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – On October 21, 2022, U.S. Special Operations Command – Korea and the Diversity and Inclusion team hosted a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

In observance of this month, SOCKOR hosted a celebration with cultural dishes, music, and dances to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. SOCKOR Operations non-commissioned officer TSgt Daniel Sanchez was born in Michigan

and raised in Puerto Rico. With 12 years of service to the Air Force, TSgt Sanchez shares what being Hispanic means to him.

“The culture is rich and has many traditions. Its food, its fashion, its music are really unique, and we really have a strong family bond,” said Sanchez. “Everybody gets together, celebrates life, and celebrates each other’s accomplishments. Even in moments of distress, we all come together and help each other out. Being Hispanic, you share the same

language. You may share the same culture, but different values. Ultimately when it comes to being Hispanic, it’s about being proud of where you come from.”

SOCKOR Logistics non-commissioned officer and SHARP Victim Advocate SSG Evelyn Santiago was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She shared that her race is unique as Puerto Ricans represent being Taino, Spanish, African, and North American.

“To me, I never knew about Hispanic Heritage Month until I joined the military and I heard about this month,” said Santiago. “I never celebrated [Hispanic Heritage Month] before I was active duty. For me it’s another day but my heritage is a daily celebration that I’m a Hispanic person.”

For TSgt Sanchez, Hispanic Heritage Month is to honor those who came before him.

“It’s this opportunity to recognize those great icons, people that have contributed to this society and have helped progress the world that we live in nowadays,” said Sanchez. “I see it as us remembering those that helped us out to get where we’re at right now.”

Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a valuable reminder for us of the history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latin Americans of past and present. Celebration and recognition of Hispanic culture, tradition, and heritage as well as all of the different diverse cultures around us are not limited to just a month, but rather a daily awareness of how diversity helps strengthen our teams at SOCKOR.