Stars, Stripes, & Salsa! Benefit Concert Captures Memories and Marks Historical Moment for Latino Hispanic Service Men and Women

McLean, VA, November 28, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Stars, Stripes, & Hearts, Inc., held it’s first Stars, Stripes, & Salsa! benefit concert at the historic Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. on the last day of Hispanic Heritage month, October 15. The evening was filled with celebration of Latino culture and recognized Latino servicemembers contributions to the military. The evening featured 5-time Grammy award winner Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Tito Puente, Jr., son of Latin music icon, Tito Puente.

Special guests of the evening included former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Jim Nicholson, and a representative of Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell’s office, Jason Williams.

Highlights of the evening included: a moving video tribute, “Generaciones: Centuries of Service and Valor,” in remembrance of 44 Hispanic Latino service men who were awarded the medal of honor. Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernandez, an 81-year-old Korean War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor, was escorted on stage by founder and CEO of Stars, Stripes, & Hearts, Lynette Spano. Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen gave a moving testimony of the countless acts of bravery Mr. Hernandez demonstrated during the Korean War and awarded him a special recognition award on behalf of Stars, Stripes, & Hearts, Inc.

Stars, Stripes, & Hearts, Inc., is a nonprofit and philanthropic arm of SCI Consulting, Inc. The mission of Stars, Stripes, & Hearts, Inc., is to raise awareness and funds in support of Hispanic-Latino servicemen and women suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and severe depression. Funds raised support charities that provide culturally competent, evidence-based mental health programs for the Hispanic Latino military community affected by the invisible wounds of war.