Greene County News

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — The Hispanic Heritage Month recognition at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base begins with the Grand Opening 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 21 at the USO of Central & Southern Ohio in Building 1222 in the Kittyhawk area on the base.

The event offers free tastings of food donated by committee members, a memorabilia display and Latin Music. This year’s theme is “Embracing, Enriching and Enabling America.”

Each year, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 31-day period starting on September 15 and ending on Oct. 15.

The “Read Me a Book” event is organized with the base Child Development Center, where books are read in Spanish to children ages 3 to 5. Volunteers will count and sing in English then translate it to the children in Spanish. There will also be dancing along with the songs.

Other events currently being planned are breakfast burrito sales, cooking and Spanish Lesson event, Latin Night at the club and a Zumbathon. More details on these events will be announced later.

The Hispanic Heritage Culture Awareness Committee also still needs volunteers. If interested in volunteering, contact Master Sgt. Beatriz Perry at 937-257-3075 or [email protected].