/mdva/assets/2022-09-19-hispanic-heritage-month_tcm1066-540848.pngThe Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) proudly recognizes National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, which celebrates the contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

As shared by Gov. Walz in his 2022 Proclamation of Latino Heritage Month, September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence September 16 and Chile on September 18.

The theme for 2022 is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” This theme encourages us to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation. Rich combinations of language, educational backgrounds and experiences bring forth a wide range of ideas and perspectives; communities can benefit from solutions to challenges and creation of opportunities that address the ideas, perspectives and concerns of all people.

Here are some interesting facts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Minority Veterans.

• According to 2021 statistics, Hispanics in the United States constituted 18.5 percent of the nation’s total population. This makes people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority.
• Richard E. Cavazos was the U.S. Army’s first Hispanic four-star General.
• Sixty-one men of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
• Hector Perez Garcia, M.D., was the first Mexican-American member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; in 1948, he founded the American GI Forum In Corpus Christi, Texas, to assist Veterans and their families with educational, health, employment and civil rights issues.
• Everett Alvarez, Jr. was one of the longest-held American prisoners of war in American history. Alvarez was the first U.S. pilot to be shot down and detained during the Vietnam War and spent over eight years in captivity.

To connect to community resources and educational tools, check out these sites.

• Minnesota Council of Latino Affairs: a month’s worth of events you can enjoy and a community resources list
• University of Minnesota - Chicano and Latino Studies: education/arts, advocacy and service organizations list
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Center for Minority Veterans (CMV): https://www.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
  • CMV’s quarterly newsletter – The Voice
• Smithsonian Institution: Heritage and History Month events

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs strives to create and support a workplace where all employees feel they belong. To ask questions, discuss concerns or give any suggestions for making the workplace more inclusive, please contact the Director of DEI, Jean Maierhofer, at
612-548-5961 or diversity.MDVA@state.mn.us.