WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joins the nation in saluting those of Hispanic heritage and the more than 1.1 million veterans in that group as it observes Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, as Hispanic Americans have fought in every American war.

"Hispanic Americans have enriched our country beyond measure-in science and technology, education, the arts, sports, business, government-and in our military," Secretary Shinseki said.

As a major health care and benefits provider, VA recognizes that to deliver quality services it must maintain a work force that reflects the communities it serves.

VA has always strived to recruit, develop and retain a diverse, high-performing workforce and was named one of the top places of employment for federal agencies when it comes to diversity in

2009.

VA facilities nationwide will celebrate the month-long observance with local ceremonies, activities and programs.

The theme of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month is “Heritage, Diversity, and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America.”

The dates of the observance coincide with the anniversary dates (in different years) of the independence of seven Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.

Hispanic colonists settled in Florida, Louisiana and New Mexico, and two of the oldest communities in the United States – St. Augustine, Fla. (1565) and Santa Fe, N.M. (1610) – have had Hispanic inhabitants since they were established.