THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270462
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ABOARD THE GEORGE WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
When 22-year-old David Silva gets homesick, he and his buddies slip into the gray recesses of the immense aircraft carrier George Washington to listen to a little Tejano music.
``I miss most the Hispanic dances and the music,'' said Silva, whose job is to track orders and shipments destined to the carrier.
This month - actually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 - Silva may be a little less homesick. The crew of the George Washington, and the rest of the nation, is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
``It's something different to do, and it lets people know we are here and we are giving our contributions to the Navy and the States,'' Silva said.
Silva, from Hondo, Texas, is one of 150 Hispanic crew members aboard the carrier - not counting the air wing.
The George Washington's Hispanic population is a small percentage of the roughly 3,000 permanent crew members. For one month a year, their culture is spotlighted.
That means Navy chef Danny Perez can cook up a special meal for the chief petty officers he serves. Perez's contribution to the month: A meal of roast pork, rice, beans, biftec (beef with oil, vinegar, onions and garlic) and a puffed-pastry dessert called pastelillos.
``It makes me feel real happy,'' said Perez, 30, born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. ``It's a whole month a year that we can do something special for the Hispanics aboard. It's a whole month for us and the crew to learn our cultural background.''
Before the Pilgrims landed, Spain had already established a colonial city in the Southwest. While the English were busy colonizing what is now the eastern United States, Spain was settling the land from Texas west. That part of history is often overlooked, Hispanic Heritage Month organizers say.
To honor Hispanic contributions, short biographies of Hispanic crew members have been posted throughout the ship. A special committee is planning a dance, a Hispanic music performance, a Spanish mass, and several other events to celebrate the heritage.
That's more recognition than Alexander Anquiano, 20, thought he would get.
``I just got back aboard, and I didn't think the Navy was doing as much as it is,'' said Anquiano, an aviation electronics technician and Dallas native.
``I've got a lot of Hispanic friends here, and when we get together, it makes us feel like we do when we are back home,'' Anquiano said.
Hispanic George Washington sailors hail from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida and California.
``One of the things we want to do is to recognize people from different Hispanic backgrounds,'' Silva said.
Sergio Gonzales, 36, born in Mexico, said he's enjoying the recognition.
``I think it's great, but everyone is here for the same reason,'' said Gonzales, a petty officer in charge of about 150 crew members who make sure the planes land and launch safely. ``Black, white, Hispanic, out here there is no race. But it is nice to get recognized once in a while.'' ILLUSTRATION: U.S. Navy photo
To honor their contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month, short
biographies of Hispanic crew members have been posted throughout the
carrier George Washington.
by CNB