Navy Misawa Celebrates 2016 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

05.16.2016

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

The rich history of Asian American and Pacific Islanders serving their country was shared during the event along with performances and food that highlighted their heritage.

The Navy and Air Force heritage committees in Misawa worked together to organize a very entertaining and informative event.

Lt. Daniel Topper, NAF Misawa’s Security Officer-in-Charge, from Lumberton, N.C., was the guest speaker for the event.

Topper shared his personal history of being an Asian American military child of Korean descent, who grew up in Lumberton, N.C. after his father retired there.

He also shared the history of Asian Americans who valiantly served America during World War II in the European and Pacific theaters.

“Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month gives everyone the opportunity to learn about our history, experience the cultures, customs, and traditions and eat some amazing food," said Topper.

Tinikling dancing, the national dance of the Philippines that involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles, was performed by NAF Sailors.

Hula dancing, a dance developed in the Hawaiian Islands that dramatizes or portrays words into a visual dance form, was performed by the Misawa Air Base Hula Dance Team.

A traditional Tahitian dance, known as ʻōteʻ dancing which is characterized by a rapid hip-shaking motion to the rhythm of drums, was also performed during the celebration.

A guitar and singing duet also performed a song in Chamorro, the native language of Guam.

This year’s national theme is “Walk together, embrace differences, build legacies.”

Today, there are 24,500 Asian American and Pacific Islander Sailors serving in the Navy, including eight admirals and 235 master chief and senior chief petty officers. These Sailors represent more than 56 ethnic groups who speak more than 100 languages.

• Date Taken: 05.16.2016
• Date Posted: 05.18.2016 03:12
• Story ID: 198421
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: LUMBERTON, NC, US