Asian-Pacific heritage alive on Team Andersen Published May 20, 2009 By Airman Carissa Wolff 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Approximately four percent of all Air Force members are of Asian-Pacific heritage, and according to Team Andersen members, the statistic is very important. Staff Sgt. Curt Mitchell, 36th Force Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the First Term Airman Center, is part Korean and stresses why Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is important for the Air Force and Team Andersen. "Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is important because it raises awareness of several cultures at once," Sergeant Mitchell said. "There is a wealth of information, customs and courtesies and events that occur within the Asian culture that a good amount of people don't know about. Observing different heritages also helps coworkers understand and relate to each other, build professional relationships and work as a team which are all essential in the Air Force." Staff Sgt. Carrie Cain, 36th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor, is Filipino and expressed her opinion about the heritage month on Team Andersen. "I think it's very important for Andersen to observe this month because of the base's location," Sergeant Cain said. "Guam is a Pacific island and has a rich culture that has strong familial ties and traditions." Like Sergeant Cain, Sergeant Mitchell is proud of his heritage. "I'm very proud to be of Asian-Pacific heritage because it makes me different," Sergeant Mitchell said. "I love my heritage because there is a plethora of traditions I can be a part of in my culture." Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was designated for the month of May in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush and has been celebrated by the federal government, Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force since. "It's important to celebrate observance months because the Air Force is so diverse," said Tech. Sgt. Tomeka Parker, 36th Wing noncommissioned officer in charge of the Equal Opportunity office. "The DoD theme for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is 'Leadership to meet the challenges of a changing world'. I feel that attitudes towards diversity originate at the top and filter downward. Diversity is about learning from others who are not the same, about dignity and respect for all, and about creating workplace environments and practices that encourage learning from others and capture the advantage of diverse perspectives. We need the personal commitment of our leadership to be fully engaged in supporting the Air Force's efforts to embrace diversity." For more information about Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month activities on Andersen contact the Equal Opportunity office at 366-5111.