Dyess Airmen reflect on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two Dyess Airmen share a common thread during the month of May: their Asian and Pacific Islander culture.

Senior Master Sgt. Josephine Krieger, 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, was born in Angono, a city located in Rizal, Philippines. Krieger and her family moved to America when she was 3 years old. Her father was in the Navy and she was the only one of her three sisters to also join a branch of service.

"I am proud to be a Filipino American," Krieger said. "Being a melting pot within itself, the military is so diverse. With each month that shows appreciation to a different culture, I'm grateful May is set aside to recognize Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."

Krieger's first language is Tagalog, which is one of the Philippines' major languages. Though she can understand the language, she would've liked to spend more time learning how to speak it fluently.

"If I could go back in time, I would have preserved more of my culture and native language - especially since I've lived in America the majority of my life," Krieger said. "My mother instilled the importance of education in my sisters and me. My parents wanted to enroll us in bilingual classes, so we could be proficient in our native tongue, but we declined because we wanted to be like the other kids around us."

Staff Sgt. Richard O'Haver, 7th Operations Support Squadron cyber systems administrator, adopted the Asian customs and traditions when he was a boy. He spent a lot of time with a Hawaiian family whenever his parents worked, taking martial arts classes and cooking Asian cuisine at a young age.

"I feel like the Asian culture is in my blood," O'Haver said. "Even though I wasn't born into this culture, it's where my heart is. I started studying and taking martial arts with my 'adoptive family' as well as cook. The first dish I ever made was gyoza (Japanese pot stickers)."

Since enlisting in the military, O'Haver has lived in Okinawa, Japan for four years, which added to his appreciation for the culture. This year, he has chosen to showcase his Japanese art collection at the Dyess AFB Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Art Expo May 8.

"The differences of our people are beautiful," O'Haver said. "If we can celebrate our differences then it's something that can bring us together instead of separate us. With that, I can appreciate the people around me more."

To commemorate the month, the Dyess AAPI Heritage committee hosted events to recognize the culture and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

"I'm honored to have the privilege of assisting with this project," said Tech. Sgt. Jwon Wiggins, AAPI Heritage committee project officer. "There's a latent effect with educating the base on the impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders while giving an opportunity for the people of this descent to meet and get to know each other."

So far, the committee has hosted the "AAPIH Amazing Race" and "The Tour of Asia and the Pacific Islands" Art Expo. A Hawaiian luau is scheduled for May 30 at 6 p.m. at the Dyess Event Center.