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In May, several occasions are observed, such as Air Force Fitness Month and Military Appreciation Month, but the month is also dedicated to observing Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.
The month originally started as a heritage week and was officially dedicated as an annual observance by President Jimmy Carter on Oct. 5, 1978. Then in 1992, President George H.W. Bush extended the week-long celebration into a month-long event.
According to The Library of Congress, May was chosen for two historic reasons: to pay tribute to the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
This year’s theme is “Leadership to Meet the Challenges of a Changing World.”
“As military members, we work in the most diverse environment one could ever imagine. As people, we all have different beliefs, values, religions, upbringings and backgrounds,” said Master Sgt. Bruce Kastner, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron materiel control superintendent and APAHM committee co-chair. “Because we are all different, a diverse method of leadership is required to bring these diverse people together. ”
The month kicked off with an Asian-Pacific style breakfast where attendees could taste and experience the culture. Several other events will be taking place around the KMC during the month.
“Our events are focused on cultural awareness and education,” Sergeant Kastner said. “We want the community to be able to experience a little of what the Asian-Pacific American culture has to offer. What better way to do this than to go straight to people’s stomachs and bring smiles.”
Events throughout the KMC include:
May 20 — Educational book reading for children at 9:50 a.m. at the Ramstein Library.
May 27 — Closing ceremony at 2 p.m. at Pulaski Park with fun, food and entertainment.
In addition, events will also be held for high school students at Ramstein High School May 10 to 14, ranging from cooking classes to dancing demonstrations.
Notable Asian-Pacific Americans include Herbert Choy, federal court judge in 1971; Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, female aviator licensed in 1932; Young Oak Kim, first Asian-Pacific American to command a combat battalion; and Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut whose first spaceflight was in 1985 (died in the 1986 Challenger disaster).
For more information, e-mail Sergeant Kastner at bruce.kastner@ramstein.af.mil or Staff Sgt. Joseph McDowell at joseph.mcdowell@sembach.af.mil.
