DoD Observance of Hispanic Heritage Month

1. PUBLIC LAW 100-402 ESTABLISHES SEPTEMBER 15
THROUGH OCTOBER 15 AS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE THEME FOR THIS YEAR'S OBSERVANCE IS "HISPANIC
AMERICANS - MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NATION".
2. NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AFFORDS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO OUR NATION BY THE HISPANIC
COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR'S THEME SERVES AS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO OUR
MARINES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE. HISPANIC MARINES HAVE LONG SERVED AND
SACRIFICED FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CORPS. THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S
HISTORY AND IN THE CONDUCT OF THE PRESENT GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM,
HISPANIC MARINES HAVE MADE, AND CONTINUE TO MAKE, A DIFFERENCE IN
ENSURING OUR NATION'S FREEDOMS.
3. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE MILITARY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HISPANIC MARINES AND THEIR IMMENSE VALUE TO OUR
CORPS; OUR COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM THE HIGH CALIBER AND
CHARACTER OF MARINES RETURNING HOME FROM FAITHFUL SERVICE. THEY
CARRY WITH THEM FOREVER OUR CORE VALUES OF HONOR, COURAGE AND
COMMITMENT. HISPANIC MARINES RETURNING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES
CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SETTING THE EXAMPLE AND REMAINING
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO THESE CORPS VALUES. 
4. COMMANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE
PARTICIPATION IN HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH OBSERVANCE EVENTS BOTH ON
BASE AND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. COMMANDERS MAY USE THE DOD THEME
OR DEVELOP THEIR OWN THEMES FOR COMMAND OBSERVANCES.