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	By Evelyn Langford
	During the month of May across the nation and in military communities worldwide, the observance and celebrations of Asian Pacific American Heritage will bring greater awareness of the rich history and contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have made and continue to make American a strong, vibrant and free society. The military community of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas has a reputation for implementing creative educational and cultural programs every year that enhance and promote the achievements and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans in areas of science, education, business, government, medicine, entertainment and the military. This year the Fort Sam Houston community had the distinct honor of hosting Congressman Eni Faleomavaega as their special guest to their celebration activities. Despite having received a previous invitation from President Bush to attend the White House ceremony in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month during the same timeframe, Congressman Faleomavaega respectfully declined and kept his commitment to the military community in Texas. Congressman Faleomavaega was able to pay a special visit to the Brooke Army Medical Center which includes the Amputee Center and the Department of Defense Burn Center where casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan receive medical treatment for injuries sustained in combat. Congressman Faleomavaega met with the Commanding General of the medical center, Brigadier General James Gilman and received a tour of the Amputee Center and Burn Center. Congressman Faleomavaega visited with Army Staff Sergeant Pio Paau who was in the Intensive Care Unit of the Burn Center and also spent time with his family. Paau is receiving treatment for burn injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device on April 12, 2006 during a convoy operation. It was a unique opportunity for Congressman Faleomavaega as he observed firsthand the top notch care the injured combat casualties are receiving from the medical staff in the Burn Center. When hosting a dignitary at a military installation, part of the protocol includes the tasking of a military escort and driver. When the protocol office learned of.
			Fort Sam Houston community at their 1st Annual Luau (front left to right): Missionary Nofoaiga Moi, Congressman Faleomavaega, Buffalo Bills Lauvale Sape, McCann Utu (back left to right): Dave Langford, Aunu'u Faalepo, Chris Paau, Ausage Suiaunoa.

			Brooke Army Medical Center (left to right): Sergeant First Class Santos, Mr. Chris Paau, 3-yr old Puna Paau, Congressman Faleomavaega, Ms Passi, Sergeant First Class Scott and Mrs. Antoinina Paau.

			Congressman Faleomavaega pictured with a few members of the Fort Sam Houston/San Antonio Samoan community consisting of Active Duty, Retired Soldiers and family members.
	Colonel Kent Nabarette who is of Hawaiian-Filipino descent was Congressman Faleomavaega’s escort and Specialist Vena Sele of Samoan heritage served as the driver. Colonel Nabarette is assigned to the Surgeon’s Office of the Army North Command and will complete thirty years of military service this summer in July 2006. Specialist Sele is assigned to the Medical Holding Company and is from American Samoa. Sele was medically evacuated from Iraq to Fort Sam Houston last year in April 2005 and has been receiving treatment and rehabilitation for his burn injuries but was able to perform driver duties during the Congressman’s visit. An added blessing to the festivities along with Congressman Faleomavaega’s presence was a guest appearance by Mr. Lauvale Sape #93 Defensive Tackle of the Buffalo Bills. Mr. Sape is from American Samoa, a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in Buffalo, New York. During his visit he was also able to visit with the combat casualties at the medical center and participated in an autograph session hosted by the Army and Air Force Exchange Services at the local post exchange store. Congressman Faleomavaega and Mr. Sape were among the special guests who joined the Commanding General of Fort Sam Houston, Major General George Weightman at the highlight of the celebration in the first annual luau which had over 500 military personnel and family members in attendance of which a large majority were of Asian Pacific heritage. The program began with a display of the Sua Presentation performed by Army Staff Sergeant Mario Lefiti and Army Sergeant First Class Jacqueline Savusa Pona. Both are military instructors with the Army Medical Department Center and School and provide medical training to Soldiers undergoing their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become a combat medic. There were also performances by a group of non-islanders from the U.S. Army Medical Command who took the time to be instructed in the art of Polynesian dancing during the whole month of April and performed dances from the Tahitian and Samoan islands. An added feature to the program was a performance by Army Sergeant Leilani Hart who is stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky but is attending a Dental Hygienist course at Fort Sam Houston. The main entertainment was provided by Hawaii Entertainment Productions featuring Savea’s South Seas from Houston, Texas. The husband and wife team of Savea and Vaveao Partsch and their seven children and grandchildren have provided Polynesian entertainment for over 26 years and are the only full-time Polynesian troupe in Texas. The dinner was provided by C&H Hawaiian Grill from Killeen, Texas. The owners of C&H are Hensan and Cora Timo and have been in business for over two and a half years and are located outside of Fort Hood, Texas where a large number of military personnel are stationed. Congressman Faleomavaega shared in his remarks during the event excerpts given during the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus on May 9th 2006 that acknowledged the contributions of Asian Pacific American individuals and communities to the success of our great nation. He highlighted the accomplishments in the areas of government, sciences, sports, entertainment and the military. He spoke of the rich history of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry and recounted the events that resulted in the Go for Broke element becoming the most decorated combat unit of its size in the history of the U.S. Army. The Congressman then provided a moving conclusion to his remarks in describing what America is all about. “I cannot think of it said better than on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the summer of 1963 when an African American minister by the name of Martin Luther King Jr., poured out his heart and soul to every American who could hear his voice when he uttered these famous words – “I have a dream. My dream is that one day my children will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” As with every Asian Pacific American Heritage celebration at Fort Sam Houston, the intent is always to inform, educate and enhance the awareness of individuals and communities worldwide of the history and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to this great nation called America. The visit by Congressman Faleomavaega and Mr. Sape of the Buffalo Bills enhanced the appreciation and understanding of the Fort Sam Houston and San Antonio community as to who Asian Pacific Americans are and their role in the enrichment of our nation’s culture and history.
	Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005