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AAPI Heritage Month, directed by Congress in 1977 and established by presidential proclamation in 1978, highlights the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout modern U.S. history.
Originally, AAPI Heritage Month was designated to take place the week of May 4th. President George H.W. Bush expanded the observance to include the full month of May in 1990.
New York’s celebration began with Sailors performing Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Over the Rainbow.”
“To be able to represent someone from the Hawaiian culture is pretty awesome,” said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Leslie Garcia, a participant in the ceremony. “It was my honor to be able to represent the Hawaiian culture in front of the Sailors and Marines aboard [New York].”
The ceremony continued with Sailors and Marines performing a Polynesian war cry dance known as a Haka. The dance was originally performed before a battle to intimidate enemies. Today, Hakas are still used during ceremonies and celebrations to symbolize importance and to honor guests.
“Doing a Haka in front of New York felt great,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Timothy Kaufusi, “Being able to share my culture with everyone was exciting.”
The ceremony closed with a Tinikling performance. Tinikling, or bamboo dance, is a traditional Filipino folk dance that consists of two dancers hitting bamboo poles on the ground and against each other while other dancers hop between the poles and is the most well-known of the traditional Filipino dances.
"It is important that we take time to celebrate our diverse cultures and allow our Sailors and Marines to share their heritage with the rest of the ship's crew,” said Capt. Brent DeVore, commanding officer of New York. “Part of what makes our Navy and Marine Corps team great is the ability to grow and learn from each other, blending our different backgrounds and experiences so that we become the best force possible. We look forward to hosting future events to promote our rich differences and remind us that we truly are greater than the sum of our individual parts.”
New York, homeported in Mayport, Florida, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interest in Europe and Africa as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).
The Iwo Jima ARG embarks the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and is comprised of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), New York, the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Fleet Surgical Team 8, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 22, components of Naval Beach Group 2 and the embarked staff of commander, Amphibious Squadron 4.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2018 07:49 |
| Story ID: | 279560 |
| Location: | MEDITERRANEAN SEA |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS New York Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month, by PO1 Lyle Wilkie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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