Posted on: Tuesday, May 14, 2002
ISLAND VOICES
Saluting Asia-Pacific heritage
By Col. Al Riggle
Commander, 15th Air Base Wing, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base is taking time this month to focus on the rich cultural heritage of Asia and the Pacific Islands — and particularly the remarkable contributions of Americans descended from those lands.
Living here in Hawai'i, the relevance of this observance is even more keen. Hickam Air Force Base is "America's Bridge Across the Pacific." It's a bridge that spans not only the enormous geographic region we are highlighting, but weaves together the hopes and dreams of a multitude of races and cultures and makes them part of the American Dream.
We are blessed to live not only in the most diverse nation in the world, but the most diverse state. Immigrants from places like Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos live harmoniously with Hawai'i residents and people from other Pacific Islands.
Each of these groups with its rich culture continues to celebrate its heritage through many festivals and celebrations while merging together to form the greatest melting pot I've ever seen. Many of these cultural events have now become part of our American culture.
It's important for us in the military to celebrate Asian-Pacific heritage because in doing so, we are also celebrating our own military heritage. We are truly fortunate to live in the homeland of the bravest of the brave — the men of the famed 100th Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost entirely of Japanese Americans, which became among the most decorated units in our country's military history.
These brave soldiers, who answered the call of their country in war, rose from the shadows of suspicion and fear — many from behind barbed wire in the internment camps — to fight with extraordinary valor in seven major campaigns during World War II.
As President Truman pinned the final presidential unit citation on the colors of the 442nd, he remarked: "I can't tell you how much I appreciate the privilege of being able to show you just how much the United States thinks of what you have done — you fought not only the enemy but you fought prejudice, and you won."
Many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have fought, and continue to fight, just as valiantly for freedom. For instance, the Philippine Scouts were crucial in liberating the Philippines during the Pacific War, and many Filipinos risked their lives hiding Americans who had evaded capture after the fall of the Philippines.
The Chamorros fought and died alongside Americans who defended Guam against Imperial Japanese forces in 1942 and again in July 1944 during the liberation of Guam. July 21 is still known locally on Guam as Liberation Day and celebrated. Memorial Day in Guam is a moving event as families flock to nearly every gravesite in the Piti Veterans Cemetery to remember family members lost in the Pacific War, Korea and Vietnam.
Korean Americans, Chinese Americans and many other ethnic groups have fought for freedom and continue to serve faithfully today.
The military heritage of Asian and Pacific Islanders continues to be written as our airmen are actively defending America today in remote locations of Southwest Asia and the Philippines against those who would destroy us.
The cultural heritage of all these groups surrounds us daily in our food, customs, dress, language, religion and recreation. They have immeasurably enriched our lives.
I am proud of the educational opportunities on tap here at Hickam as part of Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It's a rich heritage. It's a proud heritage.
No matter who you are, if you're an American, it's your heritage.
