NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution spotlights Manuel Arceo, a supervisory supply systems analyst at DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California.
The Defense Department pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have enriched the nation’s history and who continue to be pivotal to the success of the country. Hispanics and Latinos include all Americans who can trace their ancestry back to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Arceo believes that it is extremely important to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month because it spotlights the achievements and contributions all Hispanic Americans have made throughout history.
“National Hispanic Heritage Month means a lot to me because it brings to light the achievements and contributions of all Hispanic Americans that have come before me, to include those in my family, that made it possible for me to become the person I am today,” he said. “It allows them to be celebrated as such.”
One thing unique about Arceo’s heritage is how his great grandparents immigrated here from Mexico.
“Both sets of my great grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. And with that, they brought with them their tradition of family first and mentality of hard work. Both my wife and I raised three children and now have three beautiful granddaughters, who I love spending time with. Without my great grandparents passing down their tradition of family first and the mentality of hard work, I would not be where I am today.”
While it is important to Arceo for DLA to recognize this month, it is also important to him that the DLA Distribution workforce recognizes why we are celebrating this month to begin with.
“It is very important to me that National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized because it highlights the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans within DLA as well,” he said. “My takeaway would be to recognize those who came before you year-round. Not just in the month set aside. Their contributions and achievements are something that paved the way for all of us to become the person we are today.”