Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Performers with the Toa Samoa Mo Le Atua performance group take a picture with Fort...... read more read more
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William Beaumont Army Medical Center hosted the Fort Bliss 2016 National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, Fort Bliss, May 17.
During the month of May, Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) heritage is observed to commemorate the contributions of the AAIP community to the United States.
The Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” meaning “Out of many, one” was reiterated by guest speaker Lt. Col. Vaioa Leau, deputy installation chaplain, Fort Bliss, throughout the presentation to signify the unity of the United States.
“It describes the sentiment that our multicultural diversity can coexist together settle any place and be united,” said Leau, a native of American Samoa. “I believe that was the dream of Asian immigrants when they first came to our country.”
The melting pot epithet for the United States is affirmed by the contributions and sacrifices of the AAPI community through war and peace time. Some of those contributions include those of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the Army’s most decorated units in World War II. Notable honors include 9,486 Purple Hearts, 21 Medal of Honor recipients and eight Presidential Unit Citations.
“The ethnic and cultural diversity of our armed forces reflects the diversity of our nation and it’s a powerful witness in today’s world,” said Leau. “Diversity in our military makes us very unique, special and distinguished.”
Leau went on to describe the sacrifices AAPI have made to the Armed Forces including a total of 31 Medal of Honor recipients and having the highest death rate per capita during the War on Terrorism from all U.S. states or territories.
President Barrack Obama’s 2016 presidential proclamation for AAPI Heritage Month highlights the unity AAPIs envisioned when first migrating to the U.S.
“We are bound in common purpose by our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children,” states the proclamation. “Thousands of Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad pushed the wheels of progress forward in the West.”
Leau stressed the patriotism that exists within the AAPI communities by ending his presentation with a shared bond.
“Although there is diversity among the people that make up the United States, when the sun sets at the end of the day, we are all still Americans,” said Leau.
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2016 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 198789 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Bliss observes Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, by Marcy Sanchez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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