FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- More than 20 Asian Pacific countries will be recognized at Fort Jackson's annual heritage month luncheon May 20.
May is Asian American Heritage month. The contributions of Asian Pacific Americans will be remembered and celebrated with food, entertainment and guest speaker Aumua Amata.
Amata is an American Samoa community activist and member of its Republican National Committee. Amata was reared in a military family. Her father fought in World War II and was inducted in the Army Infantry's Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.
She has three brothers who are Army veterans, another brother who is a Navy veteran and her grandfather also served in the Navy.
Sgt. 1st Class James Tucker, an equal opportunity adviser with the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, is helping coordinate this year's event. Tucker said Amata and her family are among the many Asian Americans who serve and promote the community. From Soldiers to doctors to athletes to engineers A,AA,A-- they, too, have had a hand in building our nation.
"I think for the military and even for civilians (this luncheon) recognizes the contributions that the Asian Pacific Americans have made in our military and society as a whole," Tucker said.
Taiwanese, Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese are among the groups to be celebrated at the luncheon, which is open to the public. Filipino and American Samoa associations, based in Columbia, will also participate in the event.
Last year, about 210 people attended the Asian Pacific American Heritage luncheon. Organizers expect about 250 this year.
The Asian Pacific Heritage Month luncheon is scheduled for May 20 at the NCO Club, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets, priced at $9.25 each, are available at the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, located in the Strom Thurmond Building. For more information, call 751-7248.
Delawese.Fulton@us.army.mil
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