‘Vanguards’ host Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage observance

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Katzenberger | Antonio Taguba, a retired major general who served as an executive officer with 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., in the late 1980s, speaks during the 3rd Infantry Division’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance, hosted by the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, on Fort Stewart, Ga.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2012

Story by Sgt. Mary Katzenberger 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month against the backdrop of the 50 U.S. state flags, May 17, in the “Vanguard” Fitness Center, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The educational program, which included performances of traditional dances and a drum presentation by the Matsuriza Taiko Drummers, marked the Marne Division’s recognition of the annual national observance.

“Thank you all for joining us today—a day that celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in support of this great nation,” said Col. Kimo Gallahue, commander of 4th IBCT. “Our keynote speaker truly represents this year’s theme: striving for excellence in leadership, diversity and inclusion.”

Antonio Taguba, a retired major general who served as an executive officer with 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., in the late 1980s, returned to Fort Stewart to speak at the observance on the advancement of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders in the military.

“This year’s theme of striving for excellence in leadership, diversity and inclusion is [our role as leaders in] this country and [it’s] about representation of the fast-growing community of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Taguba said. “It is also about harnessing the energy and talents of our Asian Americans [and Pacific Islanders] in their [communities] in fostering an enduring cycle of active involvement and contributions to our nation.

“In my opinion, this theme cannot simply be a few words that we celebrate this month, but a lifelong objective that can be fulfilled if we focus on the operative words of promoting diversity,” Taguba continued. “It is about achieving equity in our society in our professions and working through the many disparities of striving for diversity.”

Taguba said there is an unfinished intellectual discussion in America when it comes to the color of the people and what that means to the nation’s freedom. He said the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are readily acknowledged for their sacrifices—in lives and treasure—toward helping the nation become the prominent country it is, but that language and cultural barriers, stereotyping and under-representation in government positions, the private sector and in the military persist.

“This is a huge challenge for just about any ethnic group,” Taguba said. “But … we can overcome this.”

Asian American and Pacific Islander presence in many high-level positions in the military is proof that barriers are being broken, Taguba said, but the stories of their successes are not being passed on to the younger generation.

“We must make a collective commitment to having the Asian American [and Pacific Islander] community better organized and [to] having a long-term succession of mentoring programs to eliminate the under-representation … in our American society,” Taguba concluded.

Gallahue and Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan P. McIntyre, the senior non-commissioned officer for 4th IBCT, thanked Taguba for speaking at the event, and they presented certificates of appreciation to the performers.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2012
• Date Posted: 05.21.2012 13:12
• Story ID: 88740
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US