Community celebrates Asian-Pacific American heritage

By Breanna Walton, Army Flier StaffMay 5, 2011

Community celebrates Asian-Pacific American heritage
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Individuals from many different backgrounds stopped at the post exchange to get a taste of a different culture April 29.

"We are here celebrating this diverse event," said Susie Antonello, post exchange visual merchandise manager. "We are celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage month with a heartfelt and fun-filled event to help raise awareness of different cultures at Fort Rucker."

The event is the first of many to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month at Fort Rucker.

"We were shopping through the PX and saw the decorations and women dressed up and decided to stop," said Capt. Vito Errico, A Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment. "I think this is a good way to highlight and expose others to different cultures."

Several Asian restaurants served samples of food, including Bangkok Thai cuisine to help the community experience different cultures through food. Soldiers and their Families also brought in homemade dishes, including Korean glass noodles, Daeji bulgogi and Burmese coconut rice with chicken sauce.

Additional activities included Korean alphabet writing, ultimate Frisbee disc tournament sign up, door prizes and Thai dancing. Deanna Gudger, 8, entertained the crowd with hula dancing routines.

"I am here to experience the different cultures. Every country has its own culture and I enjoy seeing how it is different from my own," said Ratree Moore, military spouse.

Other activities are scheduled throughout May, including a Fort Rucker dining facility luncheon May 18 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., ultimate Frisbee disc tournament May 21 and movie night on May 25 from 7-9 p.m.

"This is an opportunity for everyone - all ethnic groups, creed, color and race - to try something they never have before," said Sgt. 1st Class David Kintz, equal opportunity adviser. "The purpose is to really give people a chance to experience and understand a different type of culture."