Asian American Pacific Islander observance slated May 29

By Deborah Ince, APG NewsMay 22, 2014

Asian American Pacific islander observance slated May 29
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Team APG will present the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 29 at the Myer Auditorium, Bldg. 6000.

Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs Edward Chow, Jr. is the program's guest speaker. The event will include food samplings from individuals as well as from local Asian restaurants, Asian Pacific displays, a martial arts demonstration and dance and musical solos by local performer Ashley Xu.

"It's important to learn about the different cultures that make up the fabric of this great nation and to recognize the tremendous contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the American experience," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Coggins, lead organizer with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. "Both of these unique groups play a vital role in the diversity and strength of Team APG."

Chow has served as the director of programs for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, the national vice president for the Vietnam Veterans of America, deputy assistant secretary and senior advisor for the Office of Policy and Planning for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the city administrator for the City of Kent in Washington state, and as an adjudicator and loan service representative for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Seattle, Wash.

In 1967, Chow received the Bronze Star for his service during Vietnam and is a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also has served as a member of the National Japanese-American Memorial Foundation, the Vietnam Veterans of America's National Board of Directors, the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Hispanic War Veterans Association and the Japanese American Veterans Association.

Chow holds a bachelor's degree in commercial science from Seattle University, a master's in public administration from the University of Puget Sound, a certificate of planning for nuclear emergencies from Harvard University and a certificate from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs from the University of Texas Public Executive Institute.

This event is open to the APG community. For more information, contact Coggins at 410-436-5138 or email andrew.j.coggins.mil@mail.mil.