Deployed Tropic Lightning Soldiers celebrate Asian-Pacific American heritage

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Daniels | Sgt. 1st Class Ituau Tunufa'i, assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and a native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, emcees the 25th Inf. Div. Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebration on Contingency Operating Base Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

05.24.2009

Story by Pvt. Jesus Aranda 

25th Infantry Division   

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq — Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division and attached units took time from their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to honor and celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with a special exhibition of traditional dances from the Pacific Islands at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, May 24.

In addition to the dance exhibitions, attendees of the celebration received shell leis and a luau feast of Kahlua pork and other Hawaiian favorites.

Maj. Rizaldo Salvador, a logistics planner assigned to 25th Inf. Div., was the guest speaker for the celebration. Salvador, from Cleveland, Ohio, spoke about emigrating from the Philippines in 1978 at the age of three.

"This immigrant stands before you today as the fulfillment of a dream, which at times seemed improbable to overcome," Salvador said during his speech. "This immigrant is the product of our country, and endeavors to contribute back to our American society, and answers our nation's call to duty."

Salvador expanded on the theme of the month: "Leadership to meet the challenges of a changing world."

"Ultimately, the leadership challenge is within us. We must continue to embrace cultural diversity and maintain our cultural heritage and values. We must always remember the essence of who we are because this only strengthens the organizational culture," said Salvador. "Be the lighthouse of culture at each crossroads. Let your heritage shine and be the guiding light which paves the way for future generations."

Male and female Soldiers performed traditional dances from Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga.

Sgt. 1st Class Ituau Tunufa'i, assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div., and a native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, emceed the show.

Tunufa'i was one of many Task Force Lightning Soldiers who participated in the Pacific Island cultural event. Participants representing all ranks and backgrounds kept the 25th Inf. Div.'s "Tropic Lightning" spirit alive.

"Today, I think, this was the perfect show. Everyone danced with their heart," said Pfc. Melenaite Lokotui, a Seaside, Calif. resident assigned to 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Div., who performed a dance from her native Tonga.

"I was raised on the island, I came straight from the island to join the Army, and I still love my island. I still hold the culture and the tradition from the island," said Lokotui.

Lokotui added the opportunity to perform for an audience which may not be familiar with Tonga made her proud.

"We're representing our people back in the island, and we're sending this show back home to my family," said Lokotui. "I don't want them to look at it and think that I'm not doing my best."

• Date Taken: 05.24.2009
• Date Posted: 06.01.2009 16:04
• Story ID: 34392
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ