Kings Bay Celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month

The event featured a wide assortment of food tasting from Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese kitchens. Hoku-loa Polynesian Dancers from Jacksonville, Fla. performed the Philippine Tinikling bamboo stick dance and the Filipino-American Folk Dance as guests enjoyed the various dishes catered by local Asian restaurants. This year's dancers also included four Camden County High School students, who performed the Cariosa, the national dance of the Philippines.

The event featured a wide assortment of food tasting from Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese kitchens catered by local Asian restaurants. MCSN Dmitry Chepusov

"The term Asian American refers to any person of Asian descent, whether foreign born or native, living in the United States," said Special Emphasis Program Manager and Master of Ceremonies Joel Garrido of Trident Refit Facility (TRF). "Persons of Asian descent in the United States also identify themselves strongly with their country of origin. If Asian Americans could be described in one word, that word would be diversity"

According to Garrido, Asian Americans can be Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, ethnic Lao, Hmong, Thai, Samoan, Tongan, and Asian Indian, just to name a few.

"Each of these Asian American groups has added a unique history, language, and culture to the American mosaic," he added.

During his speech, Capt. Robert Susbilla asked everyone to closely examine the Great Seal of the United States found on any dollar bill, drawing everyone's attention to the ribbon held in the beak of the eagle with the words E Pluribus Unum, meaning Out of many, One in Latin. "Cultural diversity started way back then," said Susbilla. "We can imagine the vision our forefathers had back in those days."

Also a native of the Philippines, TRF Deputy Supply Officer Ed Victoriano was on hand to introduce the guest speaker. According to Victoriano, Susbilla is the ideal guest speaker for this year's theme because he retains all the good qualities of Leadership, Diversity, Harmony, and Success.

"Our guest speaker today exemplified all these qualities and attributes," said Victoriano. "I am proud to say that he was also born in the Philippines and I believe he is a trail blazer in his own right because of his professional accomplishments."

During his 18-minute speech, Susbilla discussed the importance of recognizing America's Melting Pot, which according to him was the obvious vision our forefathers implemented into the Great Seal of the United States. On the seal, the eagle holds a ribbon bearing the words E Pluribus Unum translated from Latin as Out of many, One.

"We can imagine the vision our forefathers had back in those days," said Susbilla. "Diversity started way back then and today America's diverse population makes it like no other place in the world."

Hoku-loa Polynesian Dancers from Jacksonville, Fla. performed the Philippine Tinikling, a dance using bamboo sticks as guests enjoyed the various foods catered by local Asian restaurants. MCSN Dmitry Chepusov

According to Susbilla, a popular Internet search engine has 55 categories when looking for information on American Culture. American society is comprised of all these different cultures to form one American Culture symbolized with the concept of the Melting Pot.

"Asian American leadership roles in the military will continue to grow," he added. "The question is if it will grow at a comparable rate to the rest of the Navy. In 10 years, our country will be comprised of 33 percent minorities. Today, our officer force is only 19 percent minority. We are only as strong, unified and credible as the degree to which we match society and there will be a mismatch if we don't do anything about it. The military services, government and corporate sector are all directly competing with each other for the best and brightest recruits."

Special Emphasis Program Manager and Master of Ceremonies Joel Garrido awards SWFLANT Commanding Officer Capt. Robert Susbilla a plaque for being the guest speaker at this year's Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration. MCSN Dmitry Chepusov

In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California introduced a House resolution, which called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George H.W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843.

MC3 Dmitry Chepusov can be reached by calling (912) 573-4714 or at dmitry.chepusov@navy.mil.