TYLER, Texas — The Libre Institute hosted a Veterans Day dinner Wednesday night for UT Tyler’s Hispanic Student Association to teach students about Latinos who have served in uniform.
More than a dozen students showed up to learn about and appreciate the sacrifices of the thousands of Latin men and women who answered their country's call.
Roy Mendoza, the keynote speaker at the event, says the purpose of the dinner was to teach young Latinos about their culture's history.
“[You] become aware of the true historical background," Mendoza said. "Their true historical contributions to our nation."
During the event, students learned about the 61 Latinos who were awarded the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor, established by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, was first awarded in March 1863 to Union volunteers who has participated in the Great Locomotive Chase.
Three Latino soldiers during the war were awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic action from the Battle of Gettysburg, assault on North Carolina's Fort Fisher and action aboard the USS Saratoga in the South Atlantic.
In all, more than 60 servicemen of Latino origin received American's highest honor.
Mendoza wanted students to leave with more than a simple history less though.
“Pride of who they are. Pride of their country, and more importantly a new sense of ownership,“ Mendoza said.