Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tom Wade | U.S. Army Central Servicemembers socialize after sampling the different foods, May 31,...... read more read more
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Since 1992, May brings in Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month.
Area Support Group-Kuwait and the 335th Signal Command Theater-Provisional paid tribute to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by hosting a program, which featured cultural dancing and singing, May 31, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Hager, commanding general, 335th Signal Command Theater-Provisional, spoke to a large audience about the personal achievements of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He concluded his address to the crowd with a message of pride and unity.
“As we move forward together, let us embrace our cultural identity and not forget our heritage, let us continue to recognize the dignity and respect of all people, pass it on to the next generation, and perpetuate the American dream into the future.” stated Hager.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Yanrong Yang, human resource officer, 369th Special Troop Battalion spoke of her feelings on taking part in the festivities.
“Participating in events like today’s dance is a good leadership challenge,” said Yang. “We have a significant portion of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Army, but people really don’t know who they are or what their heritage has contributed.”
The month of May commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the Unites States, May 7, 1843.
In the United States, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage month started off as a ten-day celebration, which was changed and signed into law for the whole month by former President George H.W. Bush.
“We celebrate months like Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage to show the diversity within the military,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christina Balmorez, finance noncommissioned officer, 335th Signal Command. “This month is important to me because I get a chance to show everyone what culture I am from through dance and food.”
The day concluded with Servicemembers sampling many of the Asian and Pacific recipes. Spam musubi, lumpia, pancit and fried rice highlighted the posters around Camp Arifjan, inviting people to taste these foods for the very first time.
“I thought that today’s program featuring a dance was original, different and on point,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gayle Wade, human resource noncommissioned officer, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. “The food was an added bonus with the pig being extraordinary in its size and taste.”
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2017 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 236639 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders honor heritage through dance, song, food, by SFC Tom Wade, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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