Rebecca Bandhu, 12, performs a Hawaiian hula with other students from Lakenheath Middle School at a deployed spouses dinner May 21 at RAF Mildenhall. The monthly function was hosted by a committee from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath that coordinated a series of events throughout May for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. (Charlie Reed / S&S)
Rebecca Bandhu, 12, performs a Hawaiian hula with other students from Lakenheath Middle School at a deployed spouses dinner May 21 at RAF Mildenhall. The monthly function was hosted by a committee from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath that coordinated a series of events throughout May for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. (Charlie Reed / S&S)
During a deployed spouses dinner May 21 at RAF Mildenhall, Master Sgt. Annelouiz Ruiz, center left, and Staff Sgt. Barbara Morales perform the Tinikling with the help of Staff Sgt. Tony Dupio, left, and Airman 1st Class Darren Melindo, right. The Philippine folk dance involves coordinating steps between two moving poles. (Charlie Reed / S&S)
Anne Ratta encourages her 5-year-old daughter, Grace, to try puto, a Philippine sweet bread, at a deployed spouses dinner May 21 at RAF Mildenhall. (Charlie Reed / S&S)
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kept dozens of airmen, civilians and children from RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall busy entertaining audiences at base functions throughout May.
The series of events was coordinated by a committee representing both bases and highlighted Asian and Pacific cultures with dancing, cooking and martial arts demonstrations. At a deployed spouses dinner May 21 at RAF Mildenhall’s Youth Center, the committee provided a buffet of Asian dishes and a variety show that featured Hawaiian hula and Philippine Tinikling dancers and a demonstration by students studying the Korean martial art of hapkido.
