POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. -- Team Pope hosted a panel May 29, 2024, for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event afforded Airmen from across the installation the opportunity to learn about the culture of the four guest speakers.
“It’s important that we do things like this so we can understand each other’s background, heritage and get to know each other a little bit better,” said Master Sgt. Mavis Richardson, Team Pope Development adviser.
The panel was organized and intended to honor Asian American and Pacific Island heritage month and spread awareness so people can better understand each other. The four panelists: Master Sgt. Andrew Deleonguerro, Chief Master Sgt. Louis Williams Airman Leadership School commandant, 1st Lt. Alicia Stanton, 352nd Special Warfare Squadron mission support flight commander, Lt. Col. Linlin Liou, 43rd Communications Squadron commander, spoke of ranging topics explaining to the audience what their heritage means to them and the challenges they may have faced.
“I feel like it really bleeds into the way I think and do things,” said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Brewer, 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group inspections NCO in charge.
Brewer continued to explain by comparing the Japanese family hierarchy and respecting elders to respecting rank in the military. He highlighted how the two are similar which made joining the military easier since his mind already worked in a similar way.
In 1992 under President George H. W. Bush administration the month of May became Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month. The month was established to recognize and raise awareness of the contributions from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The month of May is an opportunity to learn and apricate other cultures. Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage is highlighted in appreciation in May but doesn’t lose any of the value of their contributions to America during the rest of the year.
“I think it’s really important for us come together and celebrate each other differences and get to know the people to the left and right of us,” said Richardson.
The Airmen in attendance left with more information about the differences and similarities of the diverse heritages under the umbrella of Asian American and Pacific Islanders and potential a better understanding of the panelist who told their personal stories.