Community members share their Asian, Pacific Islander heritage

By Wendy Brown (USAG Wiesbaden)June 18, 2013

Community members share their Asian, Pacific Islander heritage
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Community members share their Asian, Pacific Islander heritage
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Community members share their Asian, Pacific Islander heritage
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WIESBADEN, Germany - When Camryne San Miguel grows up, she can say with confidence she began performing as a Samoan dancer at the age of 15 months old.

In fact, San Miguel, dressed in a pint-sized costume that matched many of the older female dancers, nearly stole the show at the Wiesbaden military community 2013 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at the Tony Bass Fitness Center May 31.

She toddled around the dancers, smiling and laughing as she danced her own dance and sometimes kept her movements in synch with the older dancers. As well as she did, however, no one outdid Sgt. 1st Class Burgie Perofeta, who led several Samoan dances during the event.

In addition to several Asian American and Pacific Islander dance troupes, the garrison celebrated with a keynote address from U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer 4 Russell Ramos, officer in charge of Detatchment 1, Company G, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion in Darmstadt. Ramos obtained his citizenship through naturalization and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988.

People also enjoyed Asian American and Pacific Islander food, as well as music, cultural displays and speeches.

"The performers were really good," said Flo Siatini, who traveled to the event from Vilseck with her husband Siatini Siatini. "It was a really nice, well prepared event."

Siatini Siatini, who is from the island of Samoa, said he enjoyed the event immensely. "I'm glad to be here sharing the heritage with these guys," he said.

Joseph Husseini said he was particularly proud of his two daughters, who practiced for three months for the event, and did a great job performing Samoan dances.

"I thought it was a great performance by all the groups," Husseini said.

Spc. Jeffrey Wright said he has no Asian or Pacific heritage, but enjoyed volunteering at the event. "The Samoan dances were excellent, and the food was too - especially the Korean food," he said.

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