Asians, Pacific Islanders teach culture through dance, much more

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Puja Ghosh, a medical platoon leader with 209th Aviation Support Battlaion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, performs a traditional Indian dance at the Task Force Marne Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, May 21 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

05.21.2010

Courtesy Story

United States Division-North

By Spc. Michael Adams

Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq – Task Force Marne commemorated one part of its diversity by celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 21, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher.

"We wanted to make this a family event," said Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Harrison an equal opportunity adviser with the TF Marne Equal Opportunity Office, which sponsored the event. The Jacksonville, Fla., native added that the event was a chance for the Task Force Marne Family to come together and enjoy the military's diversity.

To open the event, Capt. Michael Kim, chaplain for 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, from South Korea, spoke of the legacy of Asian and Pacific Americans to the United States in his invocation.

"You have formed a nation of diverse people, unsurpassed in pride and honor," he said. "Throughout the years, Asian and Pacific Americans have played a key part in the development of the United States of America, through their diverse culture, hard work ethic and willingness to serve in the greatest military that has ever existed. Lord, give us the wisdom to treasure the diversity of gifts within our nation."

The event featured Soldiers of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestry speaking about their culture and why they are proud of it.

Spc. Robert Smead, with Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, is part Korean and spoke about how the Korean culture honors parents.

Spc. William Murray, with DSTB, 3rd ID, is part Hawaiian and spoke about how Hawaiian culture values togetherness and community.

Sgt. Pramote Karngkarn, of Thailand with the 724th Transportation Company, gave a slideshow about his native country and discussed Thai culture.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Puja Ghosh, of East Brunswick, N.J., is a medical platoon leader with 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Her family is from Calcutta, India. To share her culture, Ghosh danced a traditional Indian dance.

"Today was very, very interesting," she said. "It was a great opportunity to express my culture. I love to dance, and every chance I get to dance I'll take it."

Ghosh said she wanted to be in the Army because being an American doesn't require her to forget that she is Indian.

After Ghosh's performance, Soldiers, assigned to TF Marne, performed traditional Polynesian dances.

The dancers participated to show their heritage, regardless of their ancestry.

Many of the male Soldiers who were dancing had intricately designed tattoos on their arms and face.

Archaeological evidence suggests that this kind of tattooing was used in the Polynesian culture to signify a person's status or military rank, much the same way that rank is worn on the sleeve of military dress uniforms. Tattoos could also represent one's family heritage or social status as well.

The facial tattoos were used mainly in the Maori culture, in New Zealand. According to Maori culture, the intricately designed tattoos are rites of passage and signified important events in a person's life.

Pfc. Joleen Ojeda, of Guam, with the 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th IBCT, 1st ID, was one of the Soldiers who performed the five traditional Hawaiian dances.

"I think today went wonderful," she said. "It was wonderful to show our island and our culture."

Ojeda said that there are so many cultures and so many islands, it is important to remember everyone's heritage and how they have contributed to America. She added that she loves the Army, and is very happy TF Marne did so much to show the Army's diversity.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2010
• Date Posted: 05.23.2010 11:36
• Story ID: 50129
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ