BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, May 26, 2010) -- The United States Division - Center Equal Opportunity Office and volunteers from different units on Victory Base Complex participated in the Asian Pacific Cultural World Showcase at the Camp Liberty Field House May 23.
Organizers say the event was held to honor all the Americans who trace their ancestry to Asia and the Pacific Islands.
"It is important to recognize and celebrate the diversity that we have in the military," said Maj. Douglas Gibson, an intelligence planner with Division Special Troops
Battalion, III Corps. "Asian Pacific heritage is a part of who we are as Americans and it is important that we honor it."
The event included displays representing six countries, where participants had the opportunity to learn about the different cultures and even taste some of the local cuisine. There was also a demonstration of various martial arts and traditional dances from some of the different Asian Pacific countries.
"I participated in the Karatsa, Pandanggo and Tinikling," said Spc. Robert Salva, an intelligence analyst attached to the USD-C commandant cell. "I have never danced those dances. It was a great opportunity to participate in some dances from my native land but more importantly, speak with other Filipinos and experience a little bit of my family's culture."
Following the demonstration, participants had the opportunity to meet with many of the performers and grab a bite to eat.
Some of the food included everything from Kimchi -- cabbage fermented in a chili powder base -- to a 50-pound Philippine-style pig roast.
"It was just awesome and great fun for me to have participated," said Salva. "I just have a hunger to reconnect with the culture, and this allowed me to a little bit of this."
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