Our Best: Pacific Island Babe Edition
Spc. Christina Campos, 8th Human Resource Sustainment Command, dances the Iorana from Tahiti.
Asian Pacific American Program
By Wesley Landrum
50th Public Affairs Detachment
Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month came to a close at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in a program highlighting contributions by Asians and Pacific Islanders to the United States and the world.
Titled “Leadership, Diversity, Harmony – Gateway to Success,” the program covered some of the countless contributions made by Asian Pacific Americans in wide range of areas including the arts, sciences, government, education, sports, business and the military.
Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.) Vasaga Tilo, Sr., a Ma’tai, or high chief, from the Tilo Family of Aua, American Samoa, said some early Asian Pacific-American immigrants traveled to the U.S. for a number of reasons – religious freedom, economic prosperity and opportunity. Some, he said however, came to the country looking for an escape from their home islands.
“For some, it was more obvious – war, terrorism, extreme poverty, famine and natural disaster,” Tilo said. “Our country is a melting pot of various nationalities and we cannot overlook the contributions that have been made by our other service brothers and sisters.”
Asian Pacific-American Heritage observance was started in 1977. In June of that year, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California wrote and introduced a resolution that asked the President of the United States to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Week. A month later, Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the U. S. Senate. In October 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution into law.
In May 1990, President George H.W. Bush expanded the week into a month. May was chosen as the month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to also mark the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869. Tilo said his family’s patriotic service in the military goes back a long way.
“My grandfather worked for the U.S. Navy during the occupation of American Samoa by the Department of the U.S. Navy,” Tilo said. “My father and his brothers also joined the U.S. military in the early 1940s. I and four brothers also joined the U.S. military and now our sons and daughters have pursued careers in the Family business.”
During the program, the attendees tasted a variety of foods popular to the Asian Pacific area. After a hearty meal, it was time to learn more about the different cultures. Various servicemembers performed exhibitions in eskrima and tae kwon do. Eskrima is a Philippine-based martial art style.
After the exhibitions, it was time to dance. Various servicemembers of Asian-Pacific heritage performed dances from around the islands to include the Haka from New Zealand, the Hula dance from Hawaii, the Iaorana from Tahiti and the Taualuga from American Samoa. Kellyann Tilo, Maj. Vasaga Tilo, Jr.’s spouse, said programs like these bring out pride in its people.
“We as a world can have a moment in time where we can celebrate who we are no matter what our walk of life is,” Kellyann said.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Hirata, 2nd Heavy Equipment Transporter Company, said the program was special because it gave Asian Pacific Americans a chance to show people what the culture is all about.
“It’s amazing that we can bring it out here, to war, and give something of what we are to everyone here,” he said. “I want to say a whole month is not enough, but a whole month to honor everyone who’s Asian Pacific Islander is like nothing else. It’s the best thing. I wish it were every other month.”
Sgt. Tuvalu Panapa-Cooley, R-5 Division, 8th Human Resource Sustainment Center, said performing in a program like this brings a little bit of home here to the combat zone and to be able to show off the dances brings them that much closer to home.
“Being in the military, it is pretty much the only thing we have left – our heritage – and dancing is a part of our heritage,” Panapa-Cooley said. “This is the only time we get the spotlight the entire year. It’s a privilege and we always try to do our best for people.”
The elder Tilo told the audience no matter where they go, they will always have the support of the Asian Pacific people.“So my brothers and sisters, you’re not alone,” he said. “Our people back home support you and they love you. My hat is off to all of you for the great job you are doing here.”
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