News>Team Edwards packs Center of Excellence for Asian Pacific American Heritage Day
Photos
Dozens of Asian and Pacific Islander dishes were served to Team Edwards for the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration at the Center of Excellence May 17. The day featured cultural dances and competitions, including the 2nd annual car show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
Edwards residents and workers packed the Center of Excellence May 17 for the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
Dancers performed traditional Asian and Pacific Islander dances in full traditional dress like this woman performing a traditional Japanese dance in a kimono. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
Like last year, this year's festivities featured a car show where Edwards residents showed off their modified cars, both foreign and domestic, like this Mazda RX-8. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
by Kenji Thuloweit
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
5/23/2012 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Members of the Edwards community flocked to the Center of Excellence May 17 for the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration, hosted by the 95th Air Base Wing.
Team Edwards was treated to traditional Asian and Pacific Islander food, dances and, outside, the second annual car show featuring suped-up foreign and domestic cars.
More than 10 APA countries were represented in the dancing demonstrations.
"This was our fifth year doing it at the Center of Excellence and about 400 people attended," said one event organizer, Robert Cruz, 95th Communications Squadron. "We were excited to add India this year to our lineup of countries represented."
Cruz said the crowd enjoyed the Guamanian coconut grating competition the most. This year, the competitors came from the Edwards Chiefs Group and Chief Master Sgt. (sel) Mario AcevesFonseca, 95th Medical Operations Squadron, won by grating his coconut in 2 minutes, 29 seconds.
Staff Sgt. Eric Couwenhoven, 95th Security Forces Squadron, won Best in Show with his 2005 Dodge RAM in the car competition.
