YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Area II residents paused Tuesday to honor the roughly 287,000 Asian-Pacific Americans serving in the U.S. military.

A traditional Korean song, by Area II Youth Services director Bo Fluharty, a dance performance by the Republic of Korea Samoan Association and a demonstration of Kouk-Sun-Do, a Korean method of training the mind and body, served as entertainment during the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration at the Balboni Theater.

Col. Edgar Yanger, ceremony guest speaker and 8th U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff, Engineers, was born and raised on Guam.

He said the theme, “freedom and liberty for all,” was fitting because one of America’s great strengths is its diversity.

He said growing up in Guam, which he called Asia’s “Gateway to America,” he met many Chinese, Koreans and Filipinos.

“They were awed to be in America,” Yanger said, and for some, it was the first taste of “liberty and freedom.”

He talked about how Asian-Pacific influence has seeped into American culture, from chopsticks to surfboards, pineapples to sushi. One of his personal favorites, he said: karaoke.

Yanger also talked about several Asian-Pacific Americans on active duty in South Korea.

“I can’t name everyone,” he said, “but look around; we stand in the ranks.”

Col. Timothy McNulty, Area II commander, gave a portion of the same speech he gives incoming troops — his “newcomer’s pitch.”

“Get out there and take the opportunity to enjoy it,” he said of Asian culture. He said thousands of years of history are waiting to be explored.

Army Staff. Sgt. Chandra Mack, with the 14th Signal Battalion, said, “I found the event very informative.”

She said she especially liked the lively Samoan dancers, led by Tui Nua, the 52nd Medical Battalion’s command sergeant major.