Eagle BELVOIR
Remembering D-Day Page A9
www.belvoireagleonline.com
June 8, 2017
Asian-American Pacific Islanders celebrated By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Belvoir’s garrison honored AsianAmericans and Pacific Islanders, May 31 at the Fort Belvoir Community Center, in observance of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event included performances by Joh Ga Martial Arts and Aloha Dance D.C., and a cooking demonstration by Mary Poirier, a Korean-American, who demonstrated simple ways to make Korean dishes, bulgolgi and kimchi. Lt. Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, commanding general, U.S. Army Cyber Command, served as the observance’s guest speaker. “I’m often asked, why do we celebrate events like Asian-American Pacific Islander Month? Are we not all Americans,” he asked. “We certainly are all Americans. But, celebrations like these provide the opportunity to appreciate our nation – a nation of immigrants; a nation that, at times, makes mistakes, but a nation that also demonstrates amazing tolerance; and a nation who offers opportunity to all, not just a chosen few.” Nakasone spoke of the many achievements of Asian-American Pacific Islanders in U.S. Army history. Currently, there are 6,600 Asian-Americans serving in the military and more than 28,000 AsianAmerican government civilians. Notable figures included Florence Smith Finch, who worked during War World II in Japanese-occupied Philippines. Finch helped smuggle food and medicine to American captives. She was captured by the Japanese and tortured. She enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard after her liberation and went on to earn the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Nakasone also talked about Brig. Gen. Viet Luong, the first Vietnamese-born person to become a general
Lt. Gen. Paul M. Nakasone officer in the Army. He came to the U.S. as a child during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975. Operation Frequent Wind helped evacuate Vietnamese refugees at the end of the Vietnam War. Based on that experience, Luong knew at a young age he wanted to serve in the military. Others included the three Soldiers from the Philippine Scouts who were the first to receive the Medal of Honor for their efforts during the defense of Bataan in World War II; and the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit comprised of JapaneseAmerican Soldiers, who also fought during World War II. “These are the stories that highlight the Asian-American Pacific Islander contribution to our nation,” Nakasone said. “They are only a small set of a greater contribution of the richness of America. We remember that America as a nation, and as a tapestry of cultures made up of people from every corner of the world – every color, every religion, every background – bound to the belief, as old as the nation, embodied in words of our national motto ‘E pluribus unum’ ‘out of many, we are one.’” See more photos on page A8
Photo by Paul Lara
U.S. Jow Ga Martial Arts performs a dragon dance at Belvoir’s AsianAmerican Pacific Islander Heritage observance ceremony at the Community Center May 31.
Save the dates! All these events are open to everyone. Travel, Commuter Show today 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Community Center 703-805-3714
Army Birthday 10 a.m. Wednesday Garrison HQ, Flagler Road Bill Rausch, Got Your 6 Guest speaker
LGBT panel discussion With experts, open to all 11:30 a.m. June 26 Community Center
Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band USO concert Aug. 31 Pullen Track Field