KMC celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

The KMC celebrates Asian-Pacific American heritage in May. Throughout the month, there will be educational expos, interactive demonstrations and a celebration to close out APAHM.

The 2013 APAHM committee, made up of different private organizations, service members and family members, has a diverse cultural connection to Asia and the Pacific islands.

APAHM originated on Oct. 5, 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the weeklong celebration a monthlong celebration.

“Our agenda is primarily for the service and education of our community, our family atmosphere and to the nation-building and patriotism of the Asian-Pacific American community,” said Master Sgt. Pepito Ambos, 76th Airlift Squadron standards and evaluation director.

The APAHM committee is dedicated to instilling Asian-American and Pacific Islander pride in the KMC by demonstrating different Asian and Pacific-islander cultures.

“As we participate and visit different locations throughout the month of May, we will bring a ‘did you know’ fact book and discuss some unique and fun attributes of our diverse cultures,” said Master Sgt. Michael Vansant, co-chairman of the APAHM committee. “We will visit school assemblies, USO, Fisher House, Airman’s Attic and occasionally military associations with a personnel development brief on Asian-Pacific Americans in the U.S. armed forces.”