National American Indian Heritage Month: Standing Together

  • Published
  • By Rich Ruggiero
  • National American Indian Heritage Month Committee
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- This year is the 27th year that the U.S. has celebrated National American Indian Heritage Month in November. The theme for this year’s observance is “Standing Together.”

The observance originated in 1986 when then-President Ronald Reagan declared Nov. 23 to Nov. 30 as Native American Heritage Week.

In 1990, then-President George H. W. Bush dedicated entire month of November to Native Americans, to celebrate their heritage, past and present, and to the contributions they have made.

"In 1990, 75 years after the first attempt at a national holiday, we now have National American Indian Heritage Month," said Tech. Sgt. Raphael De La Rosa, a member of the Native American Heritage Month Committee, noting the first attempt failed in 1915.

At Hanscom, Native American Indian Heritage Month committee members held local events to honor the culture and educate the community.

Each year, the Department of Defense, including the 66th Air Base Group Equal Opportunity Office here, celebrates several heritage observance months.

“I think it is great for members of the Hanscom community to come together and learn about the many cultures of our diverse workforce,” De La Rosa said.

For further information about special observances at Hanscom, visit http://www.hanscom.af.mil/Units/Equal-Opportunity/.