Asian roots and combat boots

Photo By Spc. Jamie Beale | Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division dance the “Haka,” a traditional dance, during an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance at Club Stewart, May 17. The haka was originally performed by warriors before a battle but can also be performed for other reasons like welcoming distinguished guests. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jamie Beale)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.17.2017

Story by Sgt. Caitlyn Smoyer 

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

Soldiers and civilians of the Fort Stewart community attended an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance at Club Stewart, May 17.
Maj. John Abella, the officer in charge of the operations section of the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade headquarters, was the guest speaker and focused on the theme “Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together.”
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have proved talented and creative people who have contributed their share to America’s progress and history,” Abella said. “Some were welcomed by their communities while others were shunned.”
Abella’s Filipino background goes back to his grandfather’s immigration from the Philippine Islands to Alaska. The “American dream” gave him the courage to pursue better opportunities for himself and his future family.
“The U.S. afforded my grandfather the dream he was in search of,” he said, “and in some cosmic way I am giving back.”
Though he did not have to grow up with the difficulties that can come with being a multicultural child; the beginning of his Army career made him realize that his external appearance seemed to precede him, he said.
After a long time of ignoring his Asian roots and abandoning his heritage, he made a change.
“I reassessed my ethnicity, multicultural heritage and my identity,” Abella said. “It was a very positive experience, which resulted in my comfortability in my own skin and culture.”
Aside from discussing his own experience as an Asian American and Pacific Islander, he spoke on the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project chaired by Maj. Gen. Retired Tony Taguba.
When the Philippines separated from the U.S. and became an independent nation with the Rescission Act of 1946, Filipino Soldiers were not recognized for their service to our country during World War II and were deprived of their U.S. citizenship. The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project helped to raise awareness through research and public education.
As the project’s website states, “The Filipino WWII Soldiers accomplished their mission to protect our freedom. We must now do our mission to support them.”
Finally, in 2016, the Congressional Gold Medal Act documented their loyal service.
By recognizing different cultures and traditions throughout the year, everyone is given an equal opportunity, which has become a priority of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Army’s Equal Opportunity Program has a mission that ensures military personnel, family members and civilians are treated fairly regardless of race, color, gender, religion or national origin. It also provides an environment free of discrimination and offensive behavior.
“Celebrate the diversity and culture of our entire nation,” Abella said, “as each one of us has unique stories equally important to be told and shared.”

• Date Taken: 05.17.2017
• Date Posted: 05.17.2017 14:43
• Story ID: 234161
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US