FILIPINO SAILORS ARE PROUD OF ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

05.01.2016

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Bolibol 

Navy Reserve - Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to enter the United States on May 7, 1843. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
There are more than 24,500 Asian-Pacific Islanders that serve in the United States Navy and Reserves.
“I am proud that the Navy recognizes the Asian American Pacific Islanders and didn’t realize that there’s so few of us,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Ma. Josephine Barcelona.
Sailors come from a long lineage of military members in their families like Electronics Technician 2nd Class Ryan Jugao, attached to Coastal Riverine Squadron 1. “My grandfather joined the Philippine Commonwealth Army in World War II and my father retired as an Aviation Structural Mechanics Equipment Chief in the Navy,” said Jugao. “My dad was in the Filipino Military Academy before he joined the US Navy.”
Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Mark Gular, comes from a distinguished Filipino military family.
“My mom’s uncle is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy,” said Gular. “Who inspires me is my uncle, Earl Hampton. He was the first Filipino Naval Flight Officer, first Filipino Commanding Officer of his squadron and he set the standard in leading the way for other Filipino Americans.”
Retired Capt. Earl Hampton, spent more than 30 years as a naval Flight Officer and has now assumed his duties as the Deputy Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West.
“I feel proud of being a Filipino American. It’s an honor to serve and continue to serve what my family has started,” said Gular.
For more information about the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their numerous contributions to the Navy, visit http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/asians-and-pacific-islanders-in-the-navy.html

• Date Taken: 05.01.2016
• Date Posted: 05.01.2016 18:35
• Story ID: 196998
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US