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.

Pacific Partnership 2012 Celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Clay M. Whaley, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

USNS MERCY, At Sea (NNS) -- Service members and civilians aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) celebrated Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 20, while underway for Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12).

Crew members participated in an educational brief, singing, dancing and a fashion show for a first-hand view of the different traditions, culture and history of Asian and Pacific Islanders.

"We held an Asian Pacific Islander Heritage celebration to commemorate and recognize the different cultures and traditions of people, and to share their history of hard work and service to our country," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Marvin Ramos, leading chief petty officer for the directorate of Nursing Services. "Since we have such a diverse group of people in the military, I think it's important to understand everyone's heritage and background."

Ramos said Mercy crew members will be spending a majority of the mission in the Asian-Pacific region, so it is important to become accustomed to their culture and heritage.

"The celebration is important to PP12 because our objective is to build relationships with the host nations of Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines," said Ramos. "Knowing the culture and traditions of each of these countries helps us better understand their backgrounds, and can aid us in building successful relationships."

Many PP12 crew members aboard Mercy are of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

"It has been seven years since I've seen my family and friends in Guam," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Oliver Sicat. "I'm happy that PP12 is giving me opportunity to reunite with them again after all these years."

Sicat, who was born in the Philippines and raised in Guam, will have the opportunity to visit his extended family for the first time since childhood.

"I'm really excited to see my grandma," said Sicat. "I moved away from the Philippines when I was just a young child, so this will really be one of the only times I will ever have seen most of my family in my life."

Pacific Partnership is a five-month humanitarian assistance initiative designed to build partnerships and a collective ability to respond to natural disasters that and will make port visits to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.

ONR Recognizes Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

By Paula A. Paige, Office of Naval Research

Arlington (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) joined forces with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month May 23, in a ceremony at both agencies' headquarters.

Sponsored by ONR's Office of Equal Employment and AFOSR's Cultural Awareness Committee, the event featured Air Force Col. Deanna Won, senior military assistant to the director of the Defense Technology Security Administration; and Thomas Li, co-founder of Biotech Research Laboratory and former U.S. Army service member. Li is also the grandson of Li Yuanhong, a former president of the Republic of China.

Both Chinese-Americans, but born ages apart, Won and Li took the audience on a historical journey as they wove their families' narratives throughout Japan's invasion of China in 1937, the end of World War II, their migration to the United States and eventual assimilation into American culture.

"We are a land of immigrants," said Won. "We bring a diversity of thought and talent to America."

Her presentation, "Why Did We Come? Why Did We Stay? Where Are We Headed?" chronicled China's history, its geography and the nation's three migration streams to the United States.

Paul Gido, assistant vice chief of naval research at ONR, praised both speakers for their service to the United States.

"When I look at the history of these two families born of immigrants, theirs is the basic tale of the 'land of the free,'" Gido said. "We can benefit greatly from those who came to stay as well as those who return to [their native homelands]."

AFOSR Deputy Director Col. Paul Fisher said all American immigrants can find historical parallels in Won's and Li's stories.

"As we learn more about other cultures, we appreciate what they bring, their uniqueness and see how similar we all are," Fisher said. "My grandparents came from Sweden and Scotland. Hearing other people's stories makes our differences shrink to trivialities."

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was established in 1977 to celebrate the achievements of Asians and Pacific Islanders to the United States. According to the Navy, there are currently 55,000 Asian-Pacific Americans serving in the U.S. Navy, a contribution that dates back to the 1800s.

The Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states; 70 countries; 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.

Navy Lawyer Keynotes Asian Pacific Heritage Celebration

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A Navy lawyer was the keynote speaker at a celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month, hosted by the Geico insurance company at the company's world headquarters in Chevy Chase, Md., May 3.

Lt. Janelle Kuroda, a member of the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps, opened her address with Geico employees and family members with a reference to the recently published book, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,", about strict parenting in an Asian-American family.

"My Japanese father was my Chinese mother," Kuroda said. "My father taught me many valuable lessons in life and there are two I'd like to share with you today. One, never give up; two, remember where you came from".

Kuroda told how, after many unsuccessful attempts at running for student office year after year in grade school and high school, she was finally elected as secretary and vice president of the student body and head delegate of the model United Nations team, and then president of the political science club at the University of Hawaii and president of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association at Boston College Law School.

"So, as my father said, 'Never give up'".

Kuroda's relatives arrived in Hawaii from Japan 120 years ago.

Growing up only half a mile from the sugar plantation where they worked, "I was always reminded of the sacrifices that they made so that my brother and I could have more opportunities," she said.

Tony Nicely, Geico's chairman, president and chief executive officer, thanked Kuroda for her service to the nation and presented her with a certificate of appreciation from Geico.

Members of the audience were treated to a Vietnamese musical performance and enjoyed food from Japan, Korea and India.

Defense Department Honors Asian Pacific American Servicemembers

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

June 1, 2007 – About 500 guests gathered to pay tribute to Asian Pacific American servicemembers here yesterday at the Defense Department's 6th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon and military awards ceremony. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, was the keynote speaker at the luncheon sponsored by the Defense Department and the Federal Asian Pacific American Council.

"It is widely agreed that today's military is the finest force this nation has ever fielded, and that quality reflects the quality of our people," Chu told the audience. "Diversity is part of that quality, and it has made us stronger -- diversity that is offered in good measure by the Asian Pacific community."

The Asian Pacific community is a "tapestry" that comprises Americans with Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Native Hawaiian, Cambodian, Thai, Tibetan, Burmese, Laotian and ancestries from about 20 other nations, Chu said. Asian Pacific Americans now represent more than 4 percent of the U.S. population, he added.

Asian Pacific Americans played a vital role as the U.S. military personnel during World War II, Chu said. Japanese-Americans were denied entry into the military in 1943, he noted, but they later were admitted and became part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team that earned more than 18,000 individual decorations for valor during campaigns in Italy and France.

Asian Pacific Americans continue to contribute as military members, Chu said, and he paid a special tribute to former and current servicemembers from American Samoa - a small, unincorporated U.S. territory between New Zealand and Hawaii.

American Samoa has suffered the highest number of casualties in the war on terrorism, "more than any other American state or territory on a per capita basis," Chu said.

American Samoa has a total population of less than 58,663. More than 200 American Samoans deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2006, and 12 of them lost their lives, Chu said.

"This diverse group of Asian Pacific Americans has helped the nation build a military force capable of preserving our national liberty while serving as a role model for other freedom-seeking nations and people around the world," he said. "And many have given their lives."

Chu, the most senior Asian-American in the Defense Department, helped to hand out meritorious service awards to nine servicemembers, most of whom were recognized for their contributions to diversity and equal opportunity for Asian Pacific Americans in the federal workplace.

The theme for this year's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month observance -- "Pursuing excellence through leadership, diversity, and unity" -- is embodied by the award recipients from each service branch, Chu said.

Servicemembers recognized during the ceremony were:

-- Army Staff Sgt. Karim-Azar A. Grajo, who continuously promotes national and cultural heritages in the military and civilian communities in which he has lived and served for the past 18 years. Grajo's selfless efforts in founding and organizing Asian Pacific American Association events have paid huge dividends in promoting cross-cultural awareness and fostering a positive living environment.

-- Army Reserve Lt. Col. Evelyn Langford, who has made significant contributions to helping pave the way for Asian Pacific Americans throughout her 24 years of military service. With the start of her career in the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, the most highly decorated unit of World War II, Langford made history by becoming the first American Samoan woman to achieve the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.

-- Navy Capt. Myles Esmele Jr., whose passion and enduring vision have helped create opportunities and promote diversity for Asian Pacific Americans within the armed forces and the federal civil service. His role as a leader and mentor in spreading cultural awareness truly stands out in both local and international communities.

-- Navy Reserve Cmdr. Thirumanaliyur Subramanian Shankar, who distinguished himself as a Sunni engagement officer for multinational forces in Baghdad, and who also supported operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. In his role as a senior engagement officer in the Directorate of Strategic Effects, Office of National Reconciliation, he works on various confidence-building measures directed at insurgent groups, and he actively assists with implementation of the new Counterinsurgency Manual doctrine.

-- Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Stephane M. Castonguay, who distinguished himself as the noncommissioned officer in charge of a recruiting substation in Hawaii and as Pacific recruiter instructor for the 12th Marine Corps District. While in Hawaii, Castonguay led seven canvassing recruiters in assessing 135 applicants in the Far East. Toward the end of his tour as NCO in charge, he restructured and expanded Recruiting Substation Hawaii into two recruiting substations.

-- Air Force Maj. Leonard J. Kosinski, who distinguished himself as an operations officer with the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. He led a diverse group of more than 200 officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians through 11 major operational activities supporting the wing's C-17A Globemaster III airlift mission. His leadership enabled 1,100 crewmembers to accomplish the missions of combat and humanitarian airlift and airdrop throughout the world.

-- Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Bernie H. Lagasca III, who distinguished himself as a paralegal in the California Army National Guard. He consistently provided positive representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as well as other ethnic groups, both within and beyond the California Army National Guard. He demonstrated excellence in individual achievement and became a valuable asset to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate by providing legal assistance to the office, as well as to countless soldiers who request legal assistance.

-- Air National Guard Maj. Anni Mu Loeb, who distinguished herself as executive officer for the director of the California Air National Guard's Joint Staff and the 162nd Combat Communications Group. As a committee member for the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month ceremony, Loeb excelled in supporting initiatives that created a positive focus on cultural awareness to enhance the representation of Asian Americans in the California National Guard. She contributes her talents by mentoring servicemembers and individuals in the local community.

-- Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Krysia Pohl, who distinguished herself as a waterways management officer for the Coast Guard's Delaware Bay sector. She is a positive role model for Asian Pacific Americans. Pohl volunteered to mentor a company of recruits at Training Center Cape May, N.J. She prepared discussion notes and activities for a group of more than 60 recruits on two separate visits at which she shared insights about her experience within and outside the service. As a result, the recruits invited her to be the keynote speaker for their graduation.

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.