Lincoln Celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Walters, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in a ceremony to honor Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month in the ship's hangar bay, May 18.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in the Navy throughout May to educate Sailors about the many different cultures, traditions and histories of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln's commanding officer, kicked off the event with a cake-cutting ceremony on the ship's mess decks followed by a speech welcoming Sailors to the hangar bay ceremony.

"Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month supports the diversity we have throughout our country," said Alexander. "The Lincoln crew is proud to share the variety of cultures through the performances."

After the opening remarks, the ship's band performed a variety of songs featuring Master Chief Logistics Specialist Joselito Tolentino playing the ukulele.

Members of the ship's diversity council also demonstrated eskrima, the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, and tinikling, a traditional Filipino dance.

"Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is a great way to introduce the Asian culture to the Sailors aboard the ship," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Marcelino Tan. "This month allows people to see the beauty of these extraordinary cultures."

Lincoln is currently deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of the guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.