Soldiers strengthen diversity at Asian-Pacific American Heritage luncheon

Photo By 1st Sgt. Jessica Barnett | Pfc. Joleen R. Bautista, a Guam native and small arms and artillery repair specialist with Company B, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., demonstrates a traditional Samoan dance with the rest of her group members, known as "The Islanders," during the Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebration at the main dining facility on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, May 25.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

05.25.2010

Story by Spc. Jessica Barnett 

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq –Smells, sights and sounds of Asian-Pacific Islanders pleasantly filled Soldiers' senses during an Asian-Pacific American Heritage luncheon held at the main dining facility on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, May 25.

As Soldiers shared an Asian-Pacific meal of deviled pork, vegetable biryani, crisped pita bread and more, they learned about the vast contributions and accomplishments that Asian-Pacific Islanders have made throughout American history.

One of the countless Asian-Pacific American contributions was the Men of Steel. On May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was finished with the help of 12,000 Chinese laborers. The 1,776 miles of track connected the east and west coast for the first time. Due to their hard work and perseverance, North America became the first continent to have a coast-to-coast railroad.

Soldiers also learned about the many different cultures of Asian-Pacific Islanders through entertainment, which was the main attraction of the luncheon.

"The Islanders," an Asian-Pacific dance group of 13 Soldiers from COB Speicher, performed traditional Samoan, New Zealand and Tahitian dances that are performed during important ceremonies within their respective cultures.

"It is important to share this culture because it is very interesting. There are so many different values," said Pfc. Joleen R. Bautista, a Guam native and small arms and artillery repair specialist with Company B, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan. "There are so many different ways to express who we are, especially through dance with the chanting and the movements we do with our arms. We're actually showing you things that we do in our everyday life - small things, as little as cooking."

Experiencing events like this is an important part of being an American.

"Not just Soldiers, but young people in general need to know that there's not just their culture, there's everybody's culture," said Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Goforth, a native of Belle Glade, Fla., and the operations noncommissioned officer for the Security Detachment, HHSC, DSTB, 3rd ID. "The United States is comprised of many different cultures. And everybody needs to know a little bit about everyone else. Knowledge is power."

On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution creating the annual celebration, after both the Senate and House passed similar bills. The first observance was held the following year.

In May of 1990, the week cultivated into a month-long event as President George Bush designated May to be Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2010
• Date Posted: 05.26.2010 23:02
• Story ID: 50331
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ