Luke opens Hispanic Heritage Month Published Sept. 14, 2007 By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - -- The opening ceremony of Luke's Hispanic Heritage Month is 11 a.m. today at the Luke Community Chapel. "The purpose of Hispanic Heritage Month is to allow the community be able to experience the Hispanic American culture," said Tech. Sgt. Chantel Libby, Luke Hispanic-American Heritage Committee secretary. The events for the month include, a children's piñata party at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the youth center; storytime at the base library at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 4; and a dinner and dance at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Desert Star Club. Tickets for this event can be purchased from Tech. Sgt. Nathan Zuniga at (623) 856-3655. Through these events, Sergeant Libby said she hopes that people will gain a better awareness of the Hispanic American culture. Living in Arizona, many people are already exposed to a lot of Hispanic culture and this is another way to experience what this area has to offer, she said. "Being adjacent to Mexico we are able to experience the Mexican culture represented by many of the Hispanic Americans, but at the same time it can make us aware of the other Hispanic cultures. Recognizing Hispanic Americans this month will broaden our community awareness of the other cultures that make up Hispanic Americans."