Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza helped the U.S. Army Operational Test Command celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday.

Garza, a Killeen native whose family claims Mexican heritage, said he's seen Latinos come to a play a greater role in Texas politics since he began his law career in 1981.

He was elected district attorney in 2001 and is serving his third term. He is the first minority to hold the position.

"The population is changing," said Garza, 55. "(Latinos in government) went from South Texas to San Antonio to Austin to here."

Today, Garza said, Killeen is one of the most accepting communities in the world, in part due to the diversity that comes from Fort Hood.

While Garza's Mexican family instilled in him the value of family and passing traditions on to the next generation, his military upbringing also instilled in him the value of hard work and personal success.

Garza's father was a command sergeant major at Fort Hood before he retired.

"I was the first in my family to attend college," Garza said. "It wasn't enough that you stayed where you were, but you needed to push forward."

Fort Hood's Operational Test Command, a brigade-sized organization composed of active-duty soldiers and civilians, holds cultural observances throughout the year.

Diversity is key to the command's success, Executive Director Jim Amato said before presenting Garza a commander's coin on behalf of Col. Laura J. Richardson, the command's senior officer.

"Nothing this organization does doesn't rely on what everyone brings to the fight," said Amato.

That being said, he added, "The same values make us tick."

Garza's speech was followed by a luncheon featuring authentic Latin American dishes.