DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. -- The 2012 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month observance at the Detroit Arsenal, sponsored by the U.S. Army Garrison Detroit Arsenal Directorate of Public Works, was held May 21 in the auditorium of Building 200. The theme for this observance was "Striving for Excellence in Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion" and the guest speaker was Dr. Stella S. Evangelista, Executive Director of the University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association in America.
Evangelista has been active for many years as a physician, humanitarian, and community leader. Her accomplishments include being the first woman physician to be elected president of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA) in 1993. In that capacity, she was able to raise $50,000 to support the International Kiwanis Foundation's program of eradicating iodine deficiency in the Philippines.
Evangelista was also the 2004 recipient of the Irene Auberlin Service Above Self Award for her unparalleled humanitarian service and her dedication and commitment to helping World Medical Relief fulfill its mission of relieving human suffering throughout the world. This award is named in honor of Irene Auberlin, whose lasting legacy is World Medical Relief, which she founded in 1953 and which, in 1994 alone, shipped 16 million dollars worth of medical equipment and supplies to 28 countries around the world. At the same time, the organization provided nearly $400,000 worth of prescriptions and supplies to the elderly indigent of the Detroit area.
Asian Pacific Americans include people from many ethnic groups with diverse cultural backgrounds, histories and languages. A few examples are: American Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Cambodian, Hawaiian, Samoan and Thai.
Barbara J. Stallworth, DoD Observances Manager and Mistress of Ceremonies, provided a few brief thoughts about the purpose of the observance. "The Asian Pacific American Heritage observance presents a great opportunity to focus on the accomplishments of Asian Americans in our history. Asian Pacific Americans have contributed to our country with a rich history of knowledge and skills as well as fascinating performances of dance and art."
She welcomed the audience and introduced TACOM LCMC Chaplain Assistant, Sgt. David Teakell, who sang the National Anthem, TACOM LCMC Chaplain Col. Pablo Riveramadera, who delivered the invocation, and Col. Patricia Sellers, Director of Field Support Operations U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, who introduced the guest speaker.
In her presentation, Evangelista spoke about the three areas highlighted in this year's theme: leadership, diversity and inclusion. In her concluding remarks she stated, "Excellence in leadership, diversity, and inclusion requires that we are open, accepting, able to share ideas, and most importantly, willing to work hard for the ideas and ideals important to all of us."
Following Evangelista's presentation three dance groups, one Filipino, one Chinese, and one Korean, each performed a dance from their culture. Sellers then presented a two-star note to Evangilista and Garrison Manager Alan Parks presented certificates of appreciation to Evangelista and the dancers. A reception, featuring various types of Asian foods, was held immediately following the program.
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