FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Representatives from many Asian-Pacific countries shared their cultures with each other and the Fort Rucker community at a luncheon at The Landing May 27.
The luncheon was the capstone event of several in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Attendees were treated to cuisine and a variety of cultural demonstrations including dancing and singing.
Command Sgt. Maj. Antoinette Aila, 110th Aviation Brigade, a Hawaiian native, was happy to see the level of participation from both the installation and Wiregrass Asian-Pacific communities.
"My favorite part was seeing the students from Troy University giving us such a well-done presentation," she said. "The coordination of (this event) was very good. It was so great to see such a wide variety of cultures."
Event guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph C. Borja, a Guam native, also remarked on the diversity of the crowd and how honored he was to be a part of the festivities.
"I've been mentored by many different people from many different nationalities," he told the crowd. "Our country is getting stronger because of that diversity, and because we come together like this and share each other's cultures."
Borja, from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Redstone Arsenal, stressed the importance of teaching diversity early and making sure to self-educate when it comes to working with new people with different backgrounds.
"It all starts in the home," he said. "Regardless of your background, you have to educate yourselves about other cultures. What's good for one Soldier might not be good for another Soldier."
He also gave the audience a brief history lesson on the background of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and how it came to be.
The first 10 days of May were originally set aside to recognize Asian-Pacific American heritage by a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter in October 1978. In May 1990, President George H.W. Bush declared the entire month to be Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, he noted. May was chosen in recognition of the first Japanese immigrants coming to America May 7, 1843.
He also spoke about the importance of working together to make a stronger Army and country. Putting aside petty differences is the only way to come closer as a nation, he said.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Nguyen, 98th Army Band, also attended last week's event. His parents are originally from Vietnam and he is the first in his Family to serve in the Army. He echoed Borja's statements about educating each other on diversity.
"It's great to see so many different backgrounds and to be recognized as part of that," he said. "It's very important to educate the community and events like this give us a great opportunity to do that."
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