Photo By Master Sgt. Alex Ramos | Members of Pacific Pride & Island Hearts, a nonprofit organization from Colorado...... read more read more
FORT CARSON, Colo. - There are many cultures, religions and ethnicities that form the bonds of the United States of America and the U.S. Army. Recognizing those differences within the ranks, the 4th Infantry Division Equal Opportunity team and the 43rd Sustainment Brigade hosted an observance in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Elkhorn Conference Center, May 19.
The event honored the many contributions that the Asian-American and the Pacific Islander cultures have made to the U.S. with two guest speakers, performances, an awards ceremony and food sampling.
The first guest speaker, Judge Kerry S. Hada, Second Judicial District, Denver County, talked about his friends in World War II, the struggles he faced during his upbringing and the changes he has seen.
“I am so pleased to see such a diverse audience here today,” said Hada. “When I came in the service, there were African-Americans and Caucasians, but not a whole lot of Asians.”
Hada shared stories about his childhood and how he picked melons with his grandmother when he was young. Picking melons was too hard of a life, he said jokingly, so he became a judge. He said he held many jobs before becoming a judge, and he was always the only Asian where he worked. Even now, Hada is the only Asian judge in Colorado.
“The world has come such a long way from those days. When I was in the military, there were no females at any place — Annapolis, West Point, Air Force Academy,” said Hada. “I’ve been privileged now to appoint some people to committees that were Air Force Academy graduates and Air Force Academy instructors. So the world has come a long way, but we still need to go a ways further.”
Staff Sgt. Jen Lee, Soldier-athlete, World Class Athlete Program and 2014 Winter Paralympic Games gold medalist, opened with a stereotypical joke to break the ice with the audience.
“When my first sergeant asked me to do this, I said I would be honored. Joking with him, (I said) it’s kind of hard to miss a 6-foot-2 (inch) Asian,” Lee said as the attendees laughed.
Lee discussed how his Family wanted him to become a lawyer or doctor, but he wanted to serve his country. He continued talking about his athletics leading up to the 2009 motorcycle accident that left him an amputee.
“Everything changed. My life changed forever,” said Lee. “Not only was I conscious when I was hit, but I knew I was going to lose my leg.
“I had a decision to make … either accept who I’m going to be for the rest of my life or sit there and lay in a hospital and feel sorry for myself and blame the world,” he said.
Lee explained how the wounded warriors at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, motivated him and how his rehabilitation led him to discover sled hockey and, eventually, the WCAP, culminating in a spot as a goalie for USA’s Paralympic sled hockey team that won a gold medal in 2014.
“I’m just happy that I’m able to continue to serve my country and represent my country in a different way,” said Lee.
Attendees were then entertained with ethnic and rhythmic dancing courtesy of Pacific Pride & Island Hearts, a nonprofit organization from Colorado Springs.
Col. Heidi Hoyle, special assistant to the 4th Infantry Division commanding general, closed the event: “Thank you to all our guests, thank you for sharing your culture with all of us.”
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2014 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 131814 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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