The Voice Behind Hispanic Heritage Month (Encore)

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Keith Fernandez sits down with Colonel Gil Coronado, the father of Hispanic Heritage Month. They discuss the history of expanding the celebration from a week to a month and why we celebrate it. Learn more about the Colonel's life story and achievements in this month's episode of The Purple Line.Gil Coronado retired from the United States Air Force on August 1, 1989 as a Colonel after serving his country for thirty years. Gil Coronado enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of sixteen, and his life story reads like a novel. The recipient of such awards as the 1982 European "Commander of the Year”, and a 1984 inductee into the U.S. army officer candidate school "Hall of Fame”, Colonel Coronado was named the 1988 "Serviceman of the Year” by the American G. I. Forum of the United States, and was the recipient of the league of United Latin American citizens (LULAC) 1989 president's award.