Fort Riley celebrates diversity during AAPI observance

Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Command Sgt. Maj. John Jones, senior noncommissioned officer with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Infantry Division, delivers the keynote address during the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month Observance May 20 at the Morris Hill Chapel at Fort Riley, Kan. Jones told the audience that by celebrating our differences, as well as our common interest we make the Army stronger.  

FORT RILEY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES

05.20.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

FORT RILEY, Kan. – More than 150 Soldiers, family members and civilians attended the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month Observance May 20 at the Morris Hill Chapel.

AAPI Heritage month originated in June 1977 as way to honor the many sacrifices and accomplishments Asian and Pacific Islanders have made.

Guests were treated to an array of cultural dances performed by Soldiers from various Asian and Pacific Island nations during the event.

Sgt. 1st Class Teresa Figueroa, equal opportunity adviser with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, served as master of ceremonies.

“This is a chance for us to get together and celebrate our heritage with others through dance and food,” Figueroa said.

Figueroa a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a Pacific Islander said while organizing the event, she reached out to many of the various Asian clubs and Pacific Islanders located on K-State and across Fort Riley to invite them to participate in the observance.

“We were honored to have the K-State Vietnamese Student Association participate in our Asian American and Pacific Islanders observance," Figueroa said. “We like getting the community involved in events like this.”

Command Sgt. Maj. John Jones, senior noncommissioned officer with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, delivered the keynote address.

Jones, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, told the audience that, by celebrating our differences as well as our common interest, we make the Army stronger.

“I am honored to be speaking at the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month Observance,” said Jones.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2015
• Date Posted: 10.29.2015 16:24
• Story ID: 180363
• Location: FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US
• Hometown: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, US
• Hometown: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US