Fort Huachuca, Arizona--The 309th Military Intelligence Battalion hosted members of the Fort Huachuca and local communities May 5 as they celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Murr Community Center.
Placards on each table bore the names, photos and brief histories of 33 Asian American Pacific Islanders who were awarded the Medal of Honor.
"Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in our country, growing four times as rapidly as the population of the United States," said 1st Sgt. Brian E. Zacharias, Charlie Company, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th MI Brigade. "It is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in America. "They remind us that we are bound by our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children. The nation's story would be incomplete without the voices of Asian Americans, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who call the land we all love 'home.' This month, we honor the irreplaceable role they have played in our past," he said, reading from the presidential proclamation.
"This observance gives us the opportunity to honor, recognize, and celebrate the rich diversity, leadership, and enduring empowerment of all Asian American and Pacific Islanders, and their dedicated service and contributions to the betterment of our nation," said President Barack Obama in his proclamation declaring May as the month to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander heritage.
Zacharias then introduced Capt. Morgan P. Cina, commander, Charlie Co., 309th MI Bn. Following brief remarks, Cina introduced the guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Viet X. Luong, director of Joint and Integration, Headquarters Department of Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8 in Washington, D.C., and the first Vietnamese-born general in the U.S. military.
Speaking on this year's observance theme, "Walking Together, Embracing Differences, Building Legacies," Luong shared stories from his personal life.
He described how, when as a young boy, he lay on the tarmac of a Vietnamese airport, shaking and scared while his family was fleeing Vietnam. It wasn't until his father told him things were going to be okay that he calmed down.
They were airlifted from the country by Marines conducting a helicopter rescue operation, deposited on a ship, taken to the Philippines and ended up in a refugee camp in the United States where they made their way to Los Angeles.
Having only a few dollars, the family immediately sought employment. The oldest daughter found work in a Chinatown sweatshop, another in a gas station. The first was given a workload too intense for her to carry, and the second was robbed at gunpoint.
"It was not our idea of the American dream," Luong said.
The father got a job working 60-80 hours a week as a security guard, the mother at a fast food restaurant. The younger children focused on school.
"Our goal was to go to school and succeed -- getting a B grade was not an option," he said. After a while, the oldest daughter was tasked with ensuring everyone did their homework, and they gave her the nickname "Dragon Lady." Luong said they would not have succeeded as well as they did without her.
"We never ate out. Our clothing came from Goodwill. We never took a vacation," Luong said. Eventually the family saved enough to buy a house. The children graduated from school and got good jobs. Luong became a military officer and is now the military's first Vietnamese-born general.
"We succeeded through hard work, perseverance, love and Family values," he said.
"Being American meant we were able to embrace the rights given to us by our Constitution. I am an American by choice, not by birth," Luong affirmed. "I believe in everything the nation stands for."
"I offer two takeaways. The first is that it's important to celebrate these ethnic events and observances and do a great job at embracing diversity. Love our nation and its ideals. … You can do this at Fort Huachuca through your honorable service.
"Continue to take good care of our men and women," he said was his second takeaway, reminding the audience they should wake up every day and thank the military personnel who sacrificed so much for the nation, sharing personal experiences he had with Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to save others and help those of other nations seeking freedom.
After Luong's presentation, Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, presented the visiting general with a Buffalo Soldier statuette as a keepsake and to thank him for his presentation. Afterwards, those attending the observance were treated to a Hawaiian style barbecue.
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