NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Asian American servicemembers hold roots in a
vast mix of countries and cultures, and celebrating their contributions in
the military is an important part of understanding that, said an Army
National Guard officer, whose role as an Indian American was celebrated here
May 6.
"The most interesting thing about this was that a lot of people did not know
I was Asian," said Army Lt. Col. Sajjan George, from the Army Guard Readiness
Center in Arlington, Va.
He said he explained to those around him that Pacific Asians include those
from India.
It is just a matter of misjudgment, he said. Asia is the world's largest
continent, of more than 3.8 billion people in 47 nations and more than 17
million square miles.
"I'm from India. A lot of people consider those of Asian culture from Korea,
China ... Japan ... rather than India," said George.
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. As such, the Department of
Defense celebrates the United States' estimated 15 million-plus Asians and
Pacific Islanders.
George and Senior Airman Jonathan Jung Koo Bass of the California Air
National Guard, as well as seven other servicemembers, received Military
Meritorious Service Awards from the Federal Asian Pacific American Council
for their contributions to the nation.
The award goes to those who "proved themselves as role models to their
communities and advocates to the advancement of minorities," said DoD
officials.
George smiled as his daughter walked up to him for a photograph before the
award ceremony. The second-grader wore a traditional Sari dress, with its
broad, yellow fabric folded over her shoulders and wrapped around her torso
down to her feet.
"I said to her, 'This is the deal, you can wear an Indian dress today,'" said
George, obviously happy at the sight of her.
"It got a little messed up," she said.
"Oh, that's O.K.," he replied, laughing.
George said that he has promoted diversity since he emigrated from India in
1991. He spent much of his Army Guard career supporting the states and
territories from the Army Guard Readiness Center as an executive officer and
a speechwriter for general officers, and today as a branch chief.
"I don't want diversity to be in lieu of quality. That's the message I have,"
said George.
Defense officials reported that George's quality work included his peer
assistance to resolve equal opportunity matters, helping promote National
Guard diversity initiatives and sharing his leadership and experience in
youth groups.
Bass could not attend the awards luncheon with George, because he is
currently serving as a security forces specialist in Saudi Arabia.
But Bass' mother attended the luncheon and accepted the award on his behalf.
She said Bass was adopted from Korea when he was 4 and had to face many
challenges in adapting to his new home.
"He had to go through a lot of challenges to get where he's at, and we are
very proud of him," she said.
Officials said Bass has continually strived for personal development since
his enlistment in the California Air Guard. He earned the Air Force's elite
"Phoenix Raven" security forces qualification, which provides "close-in
security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or
additional security is needed to counter local threats."