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Maxwell holds Asian-Pacific American heritage luncheon

  • Published
  • By Joy Ovington
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The Officers' Club ballroom was filled on Tuesday with onlookers who commented that the colorfully-attired Chinese American dancer on stage portrayed the elegance and strength of a peacock so well that they were "swept up in the beauty and art of her traditional Asian dance."

Springna Zhao performed at Maxwell-Gunter's Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon Tuesday, but she wasn't the only artist who inspired others to take a moment to appreciate the culture, contributions and sacrifices of Asian-Pacific Americans, most especially those who make up 3.5 percent of the Air Force, according to the Air Force Personnel Center.

After Chap. (Capt.) David Merrifield gave the invocation, Bo Kyung Lee played an age-old Korean string instrument called a gayageum A native Hawaiian hula dance was also performed. 

Lt Col. Bryan Martin, Staff Judge Advocate for the 42nd Air Base Wing, led the event's organizers and said, "Our objective was to open people's eyes to the immense diversity represented by the Asian-Pacific American culture through the use of unique performances and audio/visual elements."

The featured speaker was Tech. Sgt. Adelardo G. Vuycankiat, NCO in charge of Executive Support for the 754th Electronic Systems Group at Gunter.

Colonel Martin said Sergeant Vuycankiat's discussion of his life's story as a first-generation Filipino-American, Air Force member "reminded us that diversity is built one life at a time, and that was a special experience for us, because he is a present part of our Maxwell-Gunter community - literally one of our own."

"Sergeant V", as he is referred to by peers, has been the benefactor of two programs used to recognize and promote outstanding Airmen -- stripes for exceptional performers and below-the-zone promotion"

As a boy in Bulacan Philippine, the sergeant said he imagined the United States as the
"Land of Milk and Honey" and that everything was "perfect in America" as he daydreamed about playing with the toys he saw in commercials from American television programs.

Sergeant Vuycankiat concluded his remarks by telling of his response when Colonel Martin asked him if he remembered exactly the moment he began to consider himself an American rather than Filipino.

"I actually had to give that question some thought.  If I were to put an exact date on it, it would have to be September 11, 2001," he said. "After seeing the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, all I wanted to do was fight for my country. That is when I truly realized that I am an American Airman. I'm proud of my Filipino heritage and I'm proud of my American heritage. Both cultures have taught me to embrace the new and unknown without fear or apprehension."