Asian American, Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultures were celebrated and recognized during the annual AAPI Heritage Month observance at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, Fort Bliss, May 23.
The equal opportunity observance, hosted by the William Beaumont Army Medical Center Equal Opportunity team, featured music by Sgt. Maj. Robert Balatico, a Honolulu native, and Polynesian dance performances.
"Aloha and welcome," said Sgt. Maj. Mark Victor, the guest speaker for the observance, currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Armored Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss.
This year's observance rallied around the theme "Unite our vision by working together," honoring the idea that the promise of America is possible because of the collective contributions of people from every walk of life and every corner of the earth.
"In the Western (culture) style, we often unite our vision first and then we work together," said Victor. "The Asian perspective is to unite our vision by working together first. It's based on practicing inclusion in a diverse setting. Everywhere you go diversity is amongst us, diversity is apparent, in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods and shopping centers."
Everyone has a voice and needs to be included, said Victor. If diversity is what a community has then inclusion is what will result.
Today nearly 59,000 individuals who identify as Asian American/Pacific Islander serve in the Total Force, including Army Reserve and National Guard Forces, representing nearly six percent of the Army's ranks.
Victor also shared the story of Brig. Gen. Evans F. Carlson, who spent years observing and training with the Chinese Army prior to World War II and is credited with introducing the term "Gung-ho," to U.S. Armed Forces, a term originating from Chinese forces meaning "to work together."
"If you take a look at the true concept of gung-ho, it's really built within the concept, the practices of the group and their value and practices in a diverse setting," said Victor. "Transformation starts in the self."
While many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to serve today, thousands have donned the Army uniform since the civil war. Across the Armed Forces, only a handful of Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders have made it to the general officer ranks including Maj. Gen. Ted Wong, who was WBAMC's 37th commander from 2010-11.
During World War II, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all Japanese-American unit, distinguished themselves in combat and earned 9,485 Purple Hearts, eight Presidential Unit Citations, and 21 Soldiers assigned to the unit were awarded Medals of Honor.
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team's impact in the Army still holds true today as their contributions to military operations and history earned them the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010, more than 60 years after their operations in the South Pacific.
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