Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa members play Taiko drums during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. In 1992, May was selected as the observance month to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the significant contributions of Chinese pioneers to the completion of North America's transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Stands representing different Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures are displayed during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. During AAPIHM, Misawa Air Base honored and celebrated the important impact the AAPI community has made on the United States’ progress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa members perform a traditional Filipino Bamboo dance, known as “Tinikling” during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. Tinikling is a dance between two large bamboo poles that are clapped together as dancers follow the beat of the music to avoid their ankles getting caught. Historical accounts describe that rice farmers in the Philippines set bamboo traps to protect their fields from Tikling birds and the dance was an imitation of the movement the birds would make when avoiding the traps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa members perform a traditional Hawaiian dance to the song “Maunaleo” during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. Misawa Air Base celebrated the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among more than 56 ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific Islands who now live in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa members perform a traditional Tahitian dance to the song “Te Tama Ma’Ohi” during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. Since the War of 1812, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders have been serving honorably in the United States military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa members serve various Asian American Pacific Islander food during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. During AAPIHM, Misawa Air Base honored and celebrated the important impact the AAPI community has made on the United States’ progress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Team Misawa children perform a traditional Tahitian dance to the song “Te Manu Pukarua” during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022. This observance provided the opportunity to honor, recognize, and celebrate the rich diversity, leadership, and enduring empowerment of all Asian American and Pacific Islanders and their dedicated service and contributions to the betterment of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Closing Ceremony

Published May 25, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Leon Redfern
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

Misawa Air Base culminated Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a closing ceremony that highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion. In this closing ceremony, there were remarks from base leadership, performances from Team Misawa members and food from AAPI cultures available to attendees.