May brings Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebrations

Airman 1st Class Ron Gamo, 100th Services Squadron, shows how to prepare shrimp fried rice at a cooking demonstration in the Gateway Dining Facility May 4 in celebration of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month. Airman Gamo also showed audience members how to cook chicken adobo; they were then able to sample the finished dishes after the demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

May brings Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebrations

Published May 14, 2007
By Karen Abeyasekere
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Learning to make Filipino-style chicken adobo has been just one of the many events in May to celebrate Asian-Pacific Heritage Month.

With an opening ceremony May 1 at the RAF Mildenhall BXtra, guest speaker, Col. Michael S. Stough, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, kicked off the month's events, including book reading held at Lakenheath Intermediate School May 3 and 4.

An essay contest for Lakenheath Middle School and Lakenheath High school students, based on this year's theme of "Pursuing excellence through leadership, diversity and unity" is currently underway. Essays must be at least 500 words, and closing date for entries is May 22.

"Asian-Pacific Islanders Heritage Month is one of seven federally-recognized ethnic observances held through out the year," said Capt. Michael Epper, 100th ARW Military Equal Opportunities Office. "We honor Asian-Pacific Islanders in May to coincide with the first Japanese-American immigrants who arrived in California in May 1843. By learning more about diverse cultures outside of our own we help to expand our own horizons and learn more about ourselves," he said.

Book reading and food tasting of Asian cuisine are on offer at the RAF Mildenhall Library May 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. and children are invited to come and listen to stories about Asian-Pacific culture.

To round off the month's events, the Asian-Pacific Heritage Month luncheon is at the RAF Lakenheath Liberty Club May 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those attending can feast on Asian cuisine, enjoy entertainment and listen to guest speaker, Lt. Col. David Kutz, 48th Medical Operations Squadron. Tickets cost $8.95 for club members and $10.95 for nonmembers.