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God Bless America

October 20, 2011 by · Comments Off on God Bless America 

God Bless AmericaGod Bless America, “Knowledge is the key to tolerance.” This was the motto and the theme of the 2011 Multi-Cultural Day Celebration of Heritage, which displays and celebrates the life of all different ethnic groups that make up the armed forces in the Goettge Memorial Field House aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, October 14.

Service members were given knowledge of diverse cultures through education and a group of colorful heritage, history, gastronomy, music and fun, to honor and celebrate diversity in common of all – to be Americans.

“As Americans, we have the epitome of unity through freedom,” said Sgt. Kevin James, an adviser to equal opportunities MCB Camp Lejeune. “We are united in the strength of diversity, a nation of great resources and opportunities, all of which can be attributed to the contributions and achievements of diverse racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.”

Outside the cottage, the participants experienced an international flavor from the food vendors serving drinks, meals and snacks from their places of origin.

The entire gym’s cottage was decorated with flags animated nations around the world as well as clothing, figurines, collectibles and artwork appears elsewhere.

The masses were entertained by service members and people in the military community who volunteered knowledge of the dances of their own nationality “native and hip-hop and pop songs including popular measures, dancing fun.

Gunnery Sergeant. Heather Ravenscroft, Second Marine Logistics Group EOA, Marina said every one, regardless of where they are, brings something unique to the military today.

“You can see something in a way that is different or out of the box and make the process go much faster and easier,” said Ravenscroft. “The union of all the different cultures makes the military much better and more cohesive. I think if we all of a culture would not be as strong as it is today.”

For those who did not attend, Ravenscroft recommends that come next year or even volunteer to help and work in the event.

“You get to meet lots of different people who have not seen before,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s not only the cultures that are represented here, is for everyone to come learn about the cultures that are not.”

Petty Officer First Class Lisa Ceron, with the II Marine Expeditionary Headquarters Group, said that diversity is important for service members, since not only are physically different, many of them are not alike, are of different colors and believe in different things.

“They also come with different skills and different perspectives bring to the table, which helps us grow as a force in our community, our families and even as individuals,” said Ceron.

Ceron said some service members participating in cultural diversity more often, then they realize.

“If you have a command function, and go to my cabin or Olive Garden – these are ethnic restaurants,” said Ceron. “When you have dinner, the first thing to do is find out who is doing what kind of food so that you know what to bring, to be open conversations and give you an idea about their culture and the things they like.”

Cpl. Joy White, the fight against Logistics Company 21, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd MLG, said many service members can learn from each other in myriad ways including the skills and information that can be used in everyday life .

“America is a big melting pot, so why not the military represent the cultural diversity as everyone else,” White said. “It brings a lot of the table and makes life interesting in the army. You get to travel the world and even your roommate or someone who works in another country can be. You get to learn from them “.

White, who sang “God Bless America” ??at the opening of the celebration, said he believed the cultural events of the day were particularly well, due to the fact that many children received a healthy dose of diversity in such a young age .

“It’s good to expose children to the diversity of principles, because they are growing in a world that is increasingly globalized, with the Internet – MySpace, Twitter, Facebook. The whole world is connected,” said White. “Do not block (social). Exposing them to make them more well rounded citizens.”

Private First Class. Jonathan Galeano, an employee travel with disbursement of the office, headquarters and the Support Battalion, MCB Camp Lejeune, said that cultural diversity is a great thing and contributes to the fact that the Marines are the first to fight, in any are part of the world.

“Depending on where is the war, the Marine Corps is always there,” said Galeano. “How to be the first to respond, we must be able to be culturally responsible and has a lot of ethnic groups with us. The majority of Marines who are Americans and have not lived anywhere else before the body, get to experience much. It’s amazing how many different races (there is) in all stores at the base. ”

Galeano said that events like the Cultural Heritage Day Multi-bring all cultures together so each can learn something from every one.

“Hang out with your peers,” said Galeano. “No two Marines are the same section of the same work. The culture changes a person from the inside. Sometimes dating can change the point of view after being with them for several hours. (In the Throughout the history of the body), some have ignored what other cultures have participated. Today, you can even have some of the people you work with the same culture. When you learn more about the people, learn more about yourself. “

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