Japanese Music Accompanies NMCP's Asian American-Pacific Islander Celebration

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration, May 29, featured a 15-minute koto performance and a speech by one of the 176 Filipino master chief petty officers in the Navy.

Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF) Pete Villanueva, from Manila, Philippines, highlighted the many accomplishments and contributions of generations of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. He spoke passionately about the thousands of Chinese immigrants who built the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s, as well as how Asian-Americans have contributed to the military's success by serving in every American conflict since the War of 1812.

Mizuki Hamada was the other featured guest of the celebration. Hamada, a native of Japan who has lived in Virginia Beach for 15 years, teaches the Japanese national instrument, koto, at Old Dominion University. She played three songs for the audience and was accompanied by Mary Metzger, one of her students.

"This event is not about highlighting an individual's accomplishments," Villanueva said. "It is about the contributions of generations of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to our society and our Armed Forces, contributions that made this nation great."

Villanueva mentioned the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum," which means "out of many - one." The phrase is on every dollar and describes the diversity of our country.

"America's diversity is one of its most distinctive characteristics," said Villanueva. "With the exception of Native Americans, the United States is populated by immigrants who left their native land seeking a better life or a new beginning. But when they arrived, they brought more with them than just the clothes on their backs and what they could carry. They brought with them their beliefs, talents, skills and their cultures.

"In an ideal world, everyday life would be filled with lessons from various backgrounds," Villanueva said. "Our nation's mix of ethnicities is diversifying at such a rapid rate that a broader understanding of one another's perspectives is becoming increasingly important. Without each others' heritage, those great lessons learned from generations past will forever be lost, and the future of the next generations will be bleak."

Prior to Villanueva speaking, Rear Adm. Elaine C. Wagner, NMCP commander, gave opening remarks focused on the accomplishments of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the importance of diversity in the military.

"I always enjoy events like today's celebration, particularly when it gives me an opportunity to talk about the diversity of our nation's great Navy," said Wagner. "It's important to honor and recognize those Asian-American and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to the shaping and defense of this great nation. Celebrating the diversity and culture of all our personnel is of vital importance for our Navy and our country. May is an appropriate month for this observance, as the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States in May 1843, and the first transcontinental railroad was completed on the 10th of May 1869, and much of that difficult, dangerous and important work was performed by Chinese laborers.

"Today is about coming together to honor those who have committed to serve," Wagner said. "It's about people who have decided that the United States, democracy and the freedoms that go with that were worth giving their lives for in order to preserve this nation's ideals and freedoms. Diversity of ideas, experiences, areas of expertise and backgrounds are all necessary to fulfill the variety of missions that are asked of the Navy today. and the Navy of the future."

The theme for this year's celebration was "Building Leadership: Embracing Cultural Values and Inclusion." As an example of the vital role inclusion plays in the Navy, Wagner mentioned the first bilateral counter-piracy exercise ever conducted between the U.S. and China near the Horn of Africa, Sept. 17, 2012. During this exercise, three USS Winston S. Churchill Sailors acted as translators, which contributed to the success of the exercise.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Hamada and Metzger played the koto while wearing traditional Japanese attire. They played three songs: "Song of a Lily of the Valley," "Pinwheel" and "Seagull." The koto is featured prominently in traditional Japanese music. Its distinctive sound emanates from its 13 strings made of silk and the resonance of the kiri wood. The koto is played by sitting next to the six-foot long instrument, leaning over and plucking the strings. Members of the audience seemed to enjoy its tranquil sounds.

"I think that it's very important to celebrate all cultures," said Cmdr. Mark Edwards, Diversity Committee co-chair. "It's important to celebrate all cultures because the military is made up of so many different cultures, so everybody is appreciated for their culture."

There are more than 20,000 Asian-American and Pacific Islanders on active duty in the Navy, which is about 6.5 percent of the naval force. There are 4,000 AAPI Navy reservists, 10 flag officers and nine members of the senior executive service.

In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta introduced a House resolution that called upon the President to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On Oct. 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension turning the week-long celebration into a full month. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law.

For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.