More than 50 Sailors and civilian mariners stationed aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) joined the ship’s diversity committee to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage month May 29 in the ship’s mess deck.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes the challenges faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their vital contributions to the American story.
“Personally, I feel this is important because it showcases our Sailors’ backgrounds and their cultures and empowers them, knowing that there is strength in diversity,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Natalie Dymond, Frank Cable diversity committee program manager.
The celebration began with an invocation from Lt. Cmdr. John Miyahara, Frank Cable’s command chaplain, followed by a summary of Asian and Pacific Islander history and achievements from Command Master Chief James Schneider. The Philippine consul general in Guam, Edgar Tomas Quilino Auxilian, served as one of the guest speakers of the celebration.
Directed by Congress in 1978 and established by presidential proclamation in 1979, Asian and Pacific Heritage Week was first observed the week of May 4, 1979. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush expanded the observance to encompass the entire month. In 1992, Congress passed the law permanently designating the month of May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage month.
Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Press Release, June 05, 2014; Image: Wikimedia