YOKOSUKA, Japan –
The rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders spans the world and the depths of America’s history. Generation after generation, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our Nation - a country that values the contributions of everyone that calls America home.
Since 1992, May has been designated to recognize the personal achievements and valuable contributions to the American story by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. These contributions include the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among more than 56 ethnic groups (speaking over 100 languages) from Asia and the Pacific Islands who live in the United States.
The month of May was chosen in honor of the first Japanese immigration to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad completion on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks of that nation-unifying railway were Chinese immigrants.
DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, and Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center co-hosted the annual Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Ceremony on May 31, 2018, in recognition of the many contributions Asian-American and Pacific Islanders have made throughout history and to the U.S. Navy.
LS2 (FMF) Reymart Hombrebueno led the ceremony as emcee. He was born and raised in Philippines and moved to United States in October 2011 and enlisted into the Navy on July 18, 2012. After basic training, he served as a medical logistician at 3D Medical Logistics Company, 3D Supply Battalion, Okinawa, Japan. He is currently serving as Emergency Supply Operations Center material expediter at DDYJ, supporting the 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
During the ceremony, performances such as Tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance, were demonstrated to pay tribute to the generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and have been instrumental in its future success.
DDYJ provided Japanese traditional sweets, such as Matcha pudding (green tea pudding), Yokan (red bean paste jelly), Shiratama-dango (Japanese rice-flour dumplings with fruits) and barley tea, which is very popular in summer.
Throughout the celebration, cross-cultural awareness was enhanced and harmony among all members of the workforce was promoted.