82nd CAB and Fort Bragg Celebrate AAPI Heritage

Photo By Christopher Freeman | Members of the Aloha Ka’naka O Hula Hulau cultural dance team perform a dance to the theme of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, an event hosted by the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C. May 12. This year’s theme was Walking Together, Embracing Differences, and Building Legacies. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman/ 82nd CAB PAO)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.12.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Each May, the U.S. Army joins the nation in honoring Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent for their military and civilian service.

The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division and the Fort Bragg Equal Opportunity Team hosted an AAPI-themed event. This year’s theme was Walk Together, Embrace Differences, and Build Legacies. The event included AAPI native cuisines, cultural dances, and a guest speaker from the President's Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Mr. Ravi Chaudhary.

"The Asian American and Pacific Islander community is the fastest growing demographic in America," said Chaudhary, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years as a C-17 pilot. "They have contributed to almost every conflict in our nation's history, dating back to the Civil War."

To date, there have been 31 Medal of Honor recipients of AAPI descent and there are over 28,000 AAPI Soldiers on active duty, making up over 5% of the active duty population. One of those Soldiers shared his experience and some cuisines from his home country of Vietnam.

“I was born in Ho Chi Minh City and lived there until I was 16," said Spc. Michael Nguyen, integrated family of test equipment operator and maintainer, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd CAB, 82nd Abn. Div. “It was much different growing up there. We didn't have many freedoms that we have here in the United States."

Nguyen didn't let the environment sway his love for his country. He shared a well-known Vietnamese cuisine with those in attendance and talked about some of his favorite memories growing up.

"The Vietnamese spring rolls I am serving are a very common dish back home," said Nguyen. “You will see them as appetizers at almost all family reunions, church events, and neighborhood gatherings. Growing up, our community was very close. We looked out for one another and it became like one big family."

After the food sampling from multiple countries that are part of the AAPI celebration, which includes over 50 ethnic or language groups, Chaudhary shared one his favorite stories that highlights the diversity in our ranks.

"I was on a mission flying C-17s moving Soldiers down range," said Chaudhary. "During our night stop in Germany, we met with some members of the local community who noted the diversity of my crew. Upon seeing us, they couldn't believe how so many cultures can operate on one aircraft. My crew responded almost in unison 'that's what makes our nation so strong."

• Date Taken: 05.12.2016
• Date Posted: 05.16.2016 15:44
• Story ID: 198239
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US