Soldier Highlight during Asian American and Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders Month in Yakima, Washington

Photo By Spc. Preston Robinson | U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Justin Sinlao, a medical surgical nurse from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, scans his car lane during vaccination operations at the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at State Fair Park in Yakima, Washington, May 12, 2021. Sinlao is part of a group of Soldiers from 62nd MED BDE are deployed to the Yakima CVC in support of the Department of Defense COVID response operations to help communities in need. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Preston Robinson)  

YAKIMA, WA, UNITED STATES

05.13.2021

Story by Spc. Preston Robinson 

Federal Vaccine Response

YAKIMA, Wash. - The month of May is a period for recognizing the contributions and influences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in the history and culture in the United States. We highlight the continuous hard work and leadership of U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Justin Sinlao, a medical surgical nurse from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Sinlao, a San Diego native, is of Filipino descent, his family originates from Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines. “My grandfather served in the Army during World War II during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines and my father served as a Seabee in the Navy”, Sinlao said. “It’s a great privilege and pleasure to carry on that tradition and serve in the military capacity.”

Sinlao says that growing up in a household with a father in the U.S. Navy while still observing traditional Filipino values and customs has proven to be a rewarding experience.

“I’m proud to be Filipino and to have the values that come with my culture,” Sinlao explains, “but I’m also proud to be an American and it’s been fun to navigate both cultures and develop my own identity as a Filipino American.”

Sinlao is part of a group of Soldiers from 62nd MED BDE are deployed to the Community Vaccination Center at State Fair Park in Yakima, Washington, in support of the Department of Defense COVID response operations to help communities in need. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19.

• Date Taken: 05.13.2021
• Date Posted: 05.13.2021 16:50
• Story ID: 396337
• Location: YAKIMA, WA, US