By Jack Marflak
Under bright morning sunlight, Saturday, Sept. 12, more than three dozen people gathered at Kearny’s American Revolutionary Bicentennial Park to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and witness the raising of the Hispanic Heritage flag.
Kearny Town Councilman George Zapata began the ceremony by thanking everyone for coming and invited Town Council President Marytrine De Castro to address the gathering.
Councilwoman De Castro was filling in for Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, who was unable to attend due to a death in her family.
De Castro thanked those gathered for the ceremony and recognized the Hispanic community’s contributions to Kearny. She pointed to the food, music, dance, cultural traditions, religious institutions and strong community ties that have become part of life in Kearny.
She also encouraged residents to use Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to learn more about the cultures and experiences of their neighbors.
“I invite all Kearny residents to join in the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration,” De Castro said. “I encourage you to take part and learn about the diverse connections we have in our beautiful Town of Kearny.”
Assemblyman Jerry Walker and Cory Garriga, vice president of Policy at the Latino Action Network, were also asked to say a few words in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the many contributions of the Hispanic community.
How Kearny’s celebration began
A few years ago Mayor Doyle approved Councilman Zapata’s first request for a proclamation to designate Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Kearny. She has approved the proclamation each year since.
Zapata explained that a number of years ago he had repeatedly heard concerns from immigrant residents and the Latino community. They wanted an event that emphasized that they were part of Kearny and that Kearny itself has long been an immigrant community. Zapata said “We have to figure out a way to promote it, make everybody feel comfortable, make everybody feel inclusive, and that this town really is an immigrant community.”
The first year, according to Zapata, the town had a flag raising that included a community resource fair and some live performances by multiple cultural groups representing Peruvian, Brazilian and other cultures. The format has changed slightly from year to year with different activities associated with the celebration.
Kearny graduate reflects on Hispanic heritage
Daniela Miranda Calle, the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s Miss Ecuador, also addressed those gathered for the flag raising. Calle is the first Kearny resident to hold the title of Miss Ecuador for the Chamber.
Calle addressed the crowd in both English and Spanish and offered a very personal perspective on her immigrant background. Calle is a first-generation immigrant and the first in her family to attend college and graduate school. She is currently attending Seton Hall University.
Calle said, “As someone who was raised here in Kearny, Hispanic Heritage Month is deeply personal to me. My parents came to this country more than 30 years ago with dreams of building a better future for our family. Standing here today serving my community and representing both my Ecuadorian heritage and the town that helped raise me is part of living the American dream that they envisioned.”
She recognized the education she received at Kearny High School and thanked all the Latino teachers and every educator who made “students like me feel esteemed, supported and capable of more.”
The origins of Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States observes National Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The national tradition began in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. At that time it was a week-long observance. Two decades later, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a full 30-day celebration which enshrined the dates into Federal law.
The mid-month timing is intentional. Sept. 15 marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American nations: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The celebration continues as Mexico commemorates its Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. The 30-day window also encompasses Belize’s independence on September 21 and Día de la Raza on October 12.
Across the nation, the month is marked by community festivals, educational exhibits, and cultural events that honor Hispanic Americans’ contributions to American life and culture.
Others attending the ceremony included Councilmen Jose Rodrigues and Fred Esteves, Hudson County Undersheriff Orlando Miranda, County Commissioner-elect Alex Valdez, Manuel Vasquez, president of the Peruvian Civic Association of New Jersey, Ana Placencia and Ligia Corchuelo, members of the Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros and Sarah Bonilla, the Democratic nominee for 3rd Ward Council seat.
The ceremony concluded with De Castro, Zapata and other attendees raising the Hispanic Heritage flag over American Revolutionary Bicentennial Park to cheers and applause.
