WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to honor our nation’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander service members, veterans and their families throughout May for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The month’s designation encompasses more than 50 ethnic or linguistic groups, living in the United States and its territories. Since the first Japanese immigrants arrived to mainland America on May 7, 1843, people from Asian countries, and islands throughout the Pacific Ocean and around the Pacific Rim have made significant and lasting contributions to our nation. History records even show that there were Asian Americans serving in the U.S. military as early as the War of 1812.
In 1978, Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the president to proclaim the first 10 days of May 1979 as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution Oct. 5, 1978, thus becoming Public Law 95-419 which calls upon the people of the United States to mark the observance with ceremonies and activities. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week expanded to a monthlong observance in 1990, and finally to an annual observance in 1992.
From the decorated Nisei soldiers of World War II to the courageous men and women serving today, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans have demonstrated unwavering patriotism, and their sacrifices remind us that our strength as a nation lies in our diversity.
The 1.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary salute all Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander service members, veterans and their families for their indelible contributions to our freedom and our way of life.