R  262012Z APR 17
MARADMIN 206/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2017 ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH//
POC/LENER J. GADEA/SGT/UNIT: MPE/-/TEL: (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN 278-9371/TEL: COMM (703)784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) spans the world and the depths of America’s history.  Generation after generation, AAPIs have forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our nation.  Since 1992, May has been designated to recognize the personal achievements and valuable contributions to the American story by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  We celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among many ethnic groups (speaking over 100 languages) from Asia and the Pacific Islands who live in the United States.
2.  The 2017 theme is “Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together.”  May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on 7 May 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad completion on 10 May 1869.  The majority of the workers who laid the tracks of that nation-unifying railway were Chinese immigrants.
3.  Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee was the first Asian-American U. S. Marine Corps officer.  In 1950, as a lieutenant and a machine-gun platoon commander in 1st Marine Division, Major Lee struck out ahead of his unit in the midst of a blizzard in the mountains of Northeast Korea.  They were facing advancing Chinese troops deployed to aid North Korean forces.  By drawing enemy fire and yelling phrases in Mandarin, Lee confused the enemy and exposed the position of Chinese units.  His bravery enabled his unit to take a Chinese-occupied base despite his unit’s significantly lower numbers.  During the Korean War, he received the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, and two purple hearts for his heroism.
4.  During the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, commanders are encouraged to take time to recognize and celebrate the contributions AAPIs have made to our nation and armed services.  Commanders are further encouraged to conduct programs and promote participation in observance of events both on base and in the local community, and to develop local themes for use at their commands.
5.  Release authorized by SES M. R. Strobl, Division Director, Manpower Plans and Policy, Acting.//