Soldiers come together at Camp Lincoln for Multicultural Day

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/08/2015)(readMedia)-- Soldiers on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois came together May 6 to celebrate cultural diversity during the Multicultural Day Festival.

"The Illinois National Guard's Multicultural Fest provides a great opportunity for us to learn more about other cultures, traditions and lifestyles," said Capt. Kira Crocker, Equal Employment Manager for the Illinois National Guard. "Individuals and groups from our local community come together to make this a celebration of diversity."

Capt. Alana Wood, victim advocate coordinator for the Illinois National Guard Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program, said it's important to have events like this because the Illinois National Guard is such a diverse organization.

"The food was great and I was able to try some new foods and learn how other cultures celebrate around food," said Wood. "I'm happy it was a good turnout for this event today, it's great seeing how proud people are of their heritage."

Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Enriquez of Chicago, readiness noncommissioned officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 1-178th Infantry Regiment based in Chicago, said it is important to have the event because the Illinois National Guard has Soldiers from all different backgrounds and many were born in different countries.

"We get to learn from each other at events like this, we educate Soldiers on the many ethnicities out there," said Enriquez.

Enriquez said he would love to see this done at many more armories throughout the state in the future.

Crocker said the bottom line for the event was to celebrate and educate the Illinois National Guard on nationalities, ethnicities, social behavior patterns, art, and beliefs.

"I had a lot of positive feedback from the Soldiers and I am happy knowing that they learned some new things about different cultures," said Crocker. "This organization is constantly changing and we plan to have more events like this in the future."

Cutline 1: Spc. Stephanie Moore of Chicago with the 405th Brigade Support Battalion based in North Riverside, Illinois grabs some food from one of the food tables at the Multicultural Day Fest May 6 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois National Guard's Multicultural Fest provided an opportunity for Guardsmen to learn more about other cultures, traditions and lifestyles while enjoying foods from different cultures.

Cutline 2: Bill Rogers with the Saint Andrews Society of Central Illinois tells Lt. Col. Michael Hough, Labor Relations Specialist for the Illinois National Guard some history about Scotland's culture at the Multicultural Fest May 6 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois National Guard's Multicultural Fest provided an opportunity for Guardsmen to learn more about other cultures, traditions and lifestyles while enjoying foods from different cultures.